Gulf Formula ULE for my Jeep M-B Diesel engine

[AnGeL]

Hey all, since a while I haven't come and post here...

Long story short, I'm now driving a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel (CRD). This truck uses a M-B V6 Diesel engine (like the Sprinter) and requires a "low ash" approved oil only, due in part of the Diesel exhaust particulate filter and catalyst. Owner's manual states to uses:

MB 229.31 (around 10000 km per change and really hard to find)
MB 229.51 (around 20000 km per change, long-life oil)
Any ACEA C3 certified "low ash" oil


I live near Montreal and just like in the US, import oils are hard to find at the regular car store: Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, etc all carry 15W-40 Detroit Diesel oil only.

And as for the Jeep dealership, I've first heard they were using the cheapest oil (not even sure M-B approved one). I could have call a M-B dealer too but I didn't... anyway, I don't really like stealership unless I really have to go.

So I start making call to oil distributor in my area ( www.teklub.ca ) to find MB 229.51 oil. I was told there was a specific Motul 229.51 really hard to find and extremly expensive (over 15$ per 1L).

But I was also told, hey we just started to distribute Gulf Oil products and Gulf Formula ULE is MB 229.51 approved and really good quality oil for 40$ a 4L jug.

I said Ok why not!

So I bought 3 jugs of Gulf Formula ULE 5W-30 (I need 9.5L in total) and a WIX cartridge type filter (only brand of filter available compatible for my application) and my first oil change was done @ 11000km.

5W-40 is also available and I really hesitated but I finally choose 5W-30 because of cold pumpability is better (winter comming here) and because my engine is still pretty new so tear in-between piston and rings should still be at mininum clearence and not requirering higher viscosity.

You can have more details on the oil here
http://www.gulfoilltd.com/products_services/products_for_motorists1/
http://124.30.44.229/GulfOilSearch/frmPr...html&type=P

I plan to extend change to around 15000km, while the oil can surely stand 20000km, I will occasionnally tow an RV in summer and I'm not sure the WIX filter is rated for 20000km too. And I will go with 5W-40 probably at next change.

Meanwhile, I was also told that my local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer uses Mobil1 ESP 5W-40 in this specific engine (also from factory fill), not cheap regular oil.... true?!?!?!

What do you think? Is my Gulf oil is a good choice or should I switch back to Mobil1 ESP?

And gosh I love this truck! Pictures availables here
http://public.fotki.com/angel2167882/cars/20085-jeep-grand-ch/

 

[2oldtommy]

The Gulf ULE looks like a good choice for your MB sourced engine. Is it lower cost than the M1 ESP?--- Old tommy

 

[AnGeL]

Good news and bad news:


Good news, I was jsut comparing Mobil1 ESP to Gulf Formula ULE and looks like the Mobil1 is better in everything, looking at the number at least.


Gulf Formula ULE (values in bold, 5W-30 and 5W-40 in order)
http://124.30.44.229/GulfOilSearch/frmPr...html&type=P

Typical Properties
Test Parameters ASTM Method Typical Values
Viscosity @ 100 ºC, cSt D 445 11.70 13.0
Viscosity Index D 2270 165 174
Flash Point, ºC D 92 230 220
Pour Point, ºC D 97 -39 -33
TBN, mg KOH/g D 2896 7.20 7.4
Density @ 15ºC, Kg/l D 1298 0.851 0.850
Sulphated Ash, %wt D 874 0.78 0.78
Phosphorus, %wt D 4927 0.077 0.077
Sulphur, %wt D 4927 0.2 0.2


Mobil1 ESP Formula 5W-30
http://www.mobil.com/UK-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_ESP_Formula_5W-30.asp
Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40ºC 72.8
cSt @ 100ºC 12.1
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 164
Sulphated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 0.6
HTHS Viscosity, mPa·s @ 150ºC, ASTM D4683 3.58
Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -45
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 254
Density @ 15ºC, kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.850



Just the pour and flash point alone says so much!!! At 5W-30, Gulf is -39/230C while Mobil1 is -45/254C Wow!!! The Mobil1 ESP looks to be really good stuff!

Maybe other factors like oil degradation and cleaning is another story after 20000km thus of Gulf vs Mobil1... At my next change, I'll try to take an oil sample and have an analysis run.


Now the bad news... I called my Chrysler stealership and spoke 15 min with 2 guys (parts and tech) asking what oil they put in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel and Dodge Sprinter (same engine, not sure about same exhaust but probably too).

First, they reply Mobil1 0W-40 just like every dealers, so I asked really? Is it MB 229.51 certified, can you look on the canister? Sure... (hold), wait the canister says MB 229.5 approved only.

GOSH!!! I knew it, you don't put the correct oil in thoses engine, the DPF will clog!!! Then, he said, well, I go with what Chrysler told us in the computer. Not in what my Jeep owner's manual say 229.31 or 229.51 !!!

We can run a search with your VIN if you want... ok. (hold) hum... your application requires 229.31 as my computer says and our Mobil1 229.5 is much better as my technician told me. No it's not!!! the 1 makes the "Low ash" big difference, and it's really important not to clog the particulate filter!

How many kilometers you recommend then with your regular oil? The 229.31 should stand 10000km and the 229.51 would do 20000km... (hold) no official responce, we go with our client's need but I would say 5000 km just like other gasoline engine... AHHHHHHH I said!

Any heard of Mobil1 Formula ESP 5W-30? Can run a search to find this oil? (hold) Oh my technician tell me we used to put Mobil1 *something* 5W-30 before in the Sprinter but Chrysler now has replaced and superseed with the Mobil1 0W-40 I told you.

Yeah, right... ok, I'll stick with my oil then and will never do an oil change at the dealer, thanks.

I plan to place a call at Chrysler Canada support, I feel sorry for everybody who loves their car and feel confident to go to the dealer.


So, now my quest is to find Mobil1 ESP Formula!

 

[AnGeL]

Ok... just called my nearest M-B dealer and asked about what they put in the ML 320 CDI (same same thing as my Jeep).

They put Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40, certified MB 229.51 of course!!!! 11,76$ per 1L (CND retail) so not too bad too!

Some Google reveal oil specs:

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_ESP_Formula_M_5W-40.asp

Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40ºC 81.1
cSt @ 100ºC 13.35
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 167
Sulphated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 0.63
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, ASTM D4683 3,8
Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -39
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236
Density @ 15ºC, kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.85


Now the numbers are more similar to the Gulf oil but still better vs the same 5W-40 grade. Poor/Flash points are Gulf -33/220C and Mobil1 are -39/236C

It's funny because the Mobil1 5W-40 looks pretty much similar to the Gulf 5W-30!!!

It's also funny that Mobil1 themselves say to buy that oil at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer!!!
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot...ula_M_5W40.aspx

So unless, I get really bad recommandations from people here, I think I will do my next change with this Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40... in only 14000 km from now

 

[raisedhawaiian]

i just changed my oil 2-3 weeks ago by buying the Mobil1 ESP 5W-40 at a mercedes dealership. It's a great oil to use on our 2008 Grand Cherokee Diesel.
What kind of oil filter did you use? I use Mann oil filters

 

[AnGeL]

Not sure your're blind but here I quoted myself and the picture shown the filter too hahahaha!!

Originally Posted By: AnGeL

So I bought 3 jugs of Gulf Formula ULE 5W-30 (I need 9.5L in total) and a WIX cartridge type filter (only brand of filter available compatible for my application) and my first oil change was done @ 11000km.