Which Engine Oil?

[W1ghty]

It's this -

EE Performance C3 5w40 Engine Oil

A fully synthetic, mid SAPS performance engine oil for use in petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. Features NANODRIVE low friction technology for vehicles requiring a C3 5w40 specification. Targeting ‘Pumpe Düse’ PD Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) engines including Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda and...

www.millersoils-shop.co.uk

both 229.51 & 229.52

That is expensive oil buddy ,have a look at Opie Oils website for anything that meets 229.51/52

 

[W1ghty]

This is there reply to a question about my oil analysis:

View attachment 160189

What about just using this oil at half the price it’s 5w/30.
these are high mileage engines and you don’t hear about om642’s having issues with regular recommended 5w30 changes (it’s everything else that will fall apart first )
I can’t help but think the oil examiner is upselling their own oils ?

Pardon our interruption...

 

[such01]

That is expensive oil buddy ,have a look at Opie Oils website for anything that meets 229.51/52

Hence the question - I have been using MB 229.52 for a while now - Just wondered if the more expensive oil would be of any benefit - I guess I was willing to give it a go but @nearly twice the cost maybe not

 

[Bellow]

I did post this on here somewhere but here it is:
View attachment 160188

This is there reply to a question about my oil analysis:

View attachment 160189

I'm not seeing anything there to prompt a change in viscosity.
What I am seeing is concern for soot levels for which a reasonable level of detergency is required to prevent deposits and carbon build up. As your current oil is managing the soot acceptably well WRT drain interval, I can't see a need to deviate from your current oil and its viscosity.
Highish soot levels could be due to injectors not at their best - possibly in need of a clean.
Millers are offering an API CF (obsolete 1992 spec) at a price beyond market average. The oil I use is CK-4 rated. At Miller's price, I'd be looking for better than CF.

 

[optimusprime]

I have been looking for the new oil from Valvoline called Clean and Protect Check it out it on Youtube ,

 

[such01]

Also - i do use Archoil additive and have been for the last 100k or so

 

[markjay]

Also - i do use Archoil additive and have been for the last 100k or so

Is this an oil additive? If so, then modern oils do not need any additives, in fact it is recommended not to add anything to the engine oil.

(I used to add Molykote for years... but I no longer do)

 

[W1ghty]

Hence the question - I have been using MB 229.52 for a while now - Just wondered if the more expensive oil would be of any benefit - I guess I was willing to give it a go but @nearly twice the cost maybe not

I think it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole with oil and specs . Going with oil that meets the spec and decent make filter is the best you can do imho.
Spending a fortune on expensive oils will improve things by what tiny percentage ?
This om642 engine is well tested in cabs and sprinters to intergalactic mileage and they aren’t all using the most expensive oil .

 

[such01]

Is this an oil additive? If so, then modern oils do not need any additives, in fact it is recommended not to add anything to the engine oil.

(I used to add Molykote for years... but I no longer do)

It's a fuel additive

Archoil AR6900-D Max Advanced Diesel Fuel Synthesis

Archoil AR6900-D Max Advanced Diesel Fuel Synthesis is an advanced fuel conditioner designed to address deficiencies in diesel fuels.

www.powerenhancer.co.uk

 

[W1ghty]

It's a fuel additive

Archoil AR6900-D Max Advanced Diesel Fuel Synthesis

Archoil AR6900-D Max Advanced Diesel Fuel Synthesis is an advanced fuel conditioner designed to address deficiencies in diesel fuels.

www.powerenhancer.co.uk

I use that regularly as well buddy .

 

[Fastcar155]

My Skoda Superb petrol engine car left the assembly line with 0W - 20 engine oil.My car now runs runs as the request of the car manufacturer on 5W - 20 engine oil.It is acknowledged that the exhaust emissions suffer slightly !

I spoke to the master technician at the Skoda dealer about the above and his reply is as follows.

The 1.5 Tsi family of engines are built to
close tolerances and can suffer from issues / seizures if the incorrect oil is used.

From his experience ( not Skoda ) that the issue arises when a poor quality of sosposeley the correct grade of engine oil is used for the oil change or fast fit service centres put any oil in the engine.

The long oil change up 20000 miles don't help the position re engine failure but as he said it's all up to the bean counters.

 

[nick9one1]

I think it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole with oil and specs . Going with oil that meets the spec and decent make filter is the best you can do imho.
Spending a fortune on expensive oils will improve things by what tiny percentage ?
This om642 engine is well tested in cabs and sprinters to intergalactic mileage and they aren’t all using the most expensive oil .

I completely agree. I would that argue buying oil half the price, and doing oil changes twice as frequently is better for the engine than an expensive oil thats in there longer.

I've been using Mannol Energy premium (229.52 5W30 Mercedes Approved) for the last few years, and it's been faultless. You can buy 20 litres for £55 or less if it's on offer. That works out at £18 per oil change.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Used Mannol in my cars on and off for years....its in my 350CDI right now.....

 

[Gazwould]

Which Mannol oil ALFA ?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Can't remember....will look when I go in the garage as I still have some. Needless to say it's the correct viscosity and Mercedes spec for the Om642. It won't be in long as, having had a turbo fail...for non oil related reason, I think changing the oil again just to make sure there is nothing in it that there shouldn't be can't hurt.

 

[Fastcar155]

My Skoda Superb petrol engine car left the assembly line with 0W - 20 engine oil.My car now runs runs as the request of the car manufacturer on 5W - 20 engine oil.It is acknowledged that the exhaust emissions suffer slightly !

I spoke to the master technician at the Skoda dealer about the above and his reply is as follows.

The 1.5 Tsi family of engines are built to
close tolerances and can suffer from issues / seizures if the incorrect oil is used.

From his experience ( not Skoda ) that the issue arises when a poor quality of sosposeley the correct grade of engine oil is used for the oil change or fast fit service centres put any oil in the engine.

The long oil change up 20000 miles don't help the position re engine failure but as he said it's all up to the bean counters.

Skoda have now reversed the engine oil specification in the above car.
The specification recommended is now 0W20.Have any members used the grade of engine oil in there car.

 

[markjay]

Skoda have now reversed the engine oil specification in the above car.
The specification recommended is now 0W20.Have any members used the grade of engine oil in there car.

0W20 if the factory oil in my Suzuki.

The car has always been serviced by Suzuki dealers. Some dealers adhered to the factory spec and used 0W20, others used 5W30.

My understanding is that 0W20 is better for economy, fuel consumption, and emissions (which is why some manufacturers specify it) while 0W30 protects the engine better....

 

[Bellow]

From his experience ( not Skoda ) that the issue arises when a poor quality of sosposeley the correct grade of engine oil is used for the oil change

Supposedly, such an oil also met the OEM spec...

I completely agree. I would that argue buying oil half the price, and doing oil changes twice as frequently is better for the engine than an expensive oil thats in there longer.

You'd lose your argument.

 

[190]

My Skoda Superb petrol engine car left the assembly line with 0W - 20 engine oil.My car now runs runs as the request of the car manufacturer on 5W - 20 engine oil.It is acknowledged that the exhaust emissions suffer slightly !

I spoke to the master technician at the Skoda dealer about the above and his reply is as follows.

The 1.5 Tsi family of engines are built to
close tolerances and can suffer from issues / seizures if the incorrect oil is used.

From his experience ( not Skoda ) that the issue arises when a poor quality of sosposeley the correct grade of engine oil is used for the oil change or fast fit service centres put any oil in the engine.

The long oil change up 20000 miles don't help the position re engine failure but as he said it's all up to the bean counters.

Master technicians are not necessarily oil experts. I don't believe for a minute that a slightly thicker oil in the form of a 5W30 would harm these engines. I have the same 1.5 Tsi engine in a 5 year old Golf. VW's recommendations vary according to the market they sell it in. In the US it's 0W20 but in the UK it's 5W30. The 0W20 recommendation in the US is down to prioritising EPA fractional improvements in fuel economy rather than engine protection. Frankly of much more importance is the oil meets the appropriate VW 504 or 508 oil standard and given there is a particle filter fitted then it needs to be a low Saps oil. Which is a great shame as I have an unopened 20L drum of 5W30 Mannol Energy that was to be used in my W204 and it's not low Saps.

 

[Bellow]

Master technicians are not necessarily oil experts. I don't believe for a minute that a slightly thicker oil in the form of a 5W30 would harm these engines.

That isn't what the master tech said. He said it is oil of poorer quality (in the correct grade) that causes problems. Oil which no doubt passed the relevant tests to gain the OEM approvals but fails in service to maintain that spec. Despite an absolute reluctance to accept as fact that some oils are better than others - just as it is with tyres - that is absolutely the case.

There is a company making the best of oils that does not seek OEM approvals. The reason is that the OEMs will only grant approvals when all ingredients used in the product are disclosed and when making the best oils there is a strong disincentive to release that knowledge. Think about it. BMW bought ARG to gain expertise in producing small cars. Expertise it hitherto lacked - but stumped up the cash to gain it. It didn't share what it learned with others on mere asking. Said company's oils for diesel engines has API CK4 approval when most other oils cannot exceed an obsolete 1991 spec of CI. Why would it divulge how it achieves that?