9,000 Mile Oil Change (Valvoline) - Analysis Results

[silver12]

If you've been to this board in the past couple years, you may have seen my posts about what I believe is the best oil to use in the VR6, along with oil analysis results. I now have more evidence to back-up my claims.
I waited 9,000 miles to change my oil most recently (with 36,000 total on my VR6 Jetta). The oil is Valvoline 5w-40 synthetic, which I buy from my local NAPA who now stocks it - finally.
Bottom line - oil was still in very good condition - viscosity still well within 5w-40 perameters @ 14.1. Trace metals ppm were amazingly low for 9,000 miles of use. Keep in mind, this oil was used in St. Louis from the fall, through winter, to the early part of summer. Here are the details:

Iron - 5 (bearings, cylinders, block)
Chromium - 0 (Piston Rings)
Lead - 0 (Alloyed with bearings)
Copper - 6 (Alloyed, Oil Cooler)
Tin - 0 (Alloyed)
Aluminum - 2
Silicon - 1 (Dirt from Intake)
TBN - 6.5
Oxidation - <1.0%
Viscosity - 14.1

I was skeptical about using this oil during the winter since it is a 5w-40, but it far outperformed the Mobil 1 5w-30 I had used in the previous winter -which came back as "unsuitable for further use" after just 4,500 miles. I also believe that VW's engineers meant what they said about the ideal viscosity as 5w-40 and the 10,000 mile oil change interval.

[gbovino]

Interesting find...

[JohnnyQuest]

Not to sound corny, but I really appreciate you posting that info. As the new owner of a GLI, I have been wondering which oil to put in at the 5000 mile change. I too wanted to stick with VWs recommended 5w40 viscosity, and as far as I know only Valvoline and Castrol make that weight. I guess I know which oil to get at my 5000 mile service. Thanks again.
J

[dex]

Awesome report. I use the same oil in my 18t and like it alot. Wanted to try the new mobil1 but still want to stick to 5w40 grade.

[GT17V]

Mobil does make a 5w40....Delvac 1...which is SJ rated. Many of the TDIclub people who also drive gassers use the Delvac 1 in it. It's an expensive and harder to find oil though

[Cooper]

Shell Rotella 5W-40 synthetic is available at Wal-Mart.

[silver12]

bounce

[Mindflux]

Nice info. I run 15w50 in my 98 VR6. I'm about to tone that down to something with a little less weight.

[dex]

Yup, I know, but there is no way I can find this uphere in seattle. It's so rare.

[NeoJetta]

Thanks for the great info! Should I have any concerns about switching from Mobil-1 5w30 Synthetic to this stuff???

[jskho]

I have look into 5W40 oils.
I can only find Valvoline Synpower and Kendall GT1 Synthetic
which state that they meet VW 502 and 505 standards.
Is Castrol 5W40 synthetic only availabe at the dealer? No info from their web site.

The Delvac 1 and Rotella T are designed for diesel engines. Any idea about whether they are suitable in gas engines? Or are they actually superior?


[Modified by jskho, 12:00 PM 6-20-2002]

[Godlike]

quote:

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Yup, I know, but there is no way I can find this uphere in seattle. It's so rare.

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try snyder petroleum.. they seem to have a good selection of mobil stuff.

http://www.sniderpetroleum.com


[Modified by Godlike, 12:07 PM 6-20-2002]

[silver12]

If you're looking for Valvoline 5w-40 synthetic, call your NAPA dealer, and tell them you want it, ordered under part# 966 - they may not be able to find it in their normal catalogue, but it can be ordered by the part# 966.

Concerning diesel oils like Delvac, I know that Delvac is an excellent oil, but it is formulated with detergents to fight the by-products of diesel combustion, and it may not be ideal for a gasoline engine.

And about switching from 5w-30, to 5w-40, I see no reason why that would pose a problem.

And a note about Castrol Syntec - it is not a true synthetic anymore. In the late 90's, they changed the formulation to a less expensive mineral oil base stock which is highly refined, but did not change their labeling or marketing to reflect that switch. This prompted Mobil to file suit against Castrol claiming false advertising. Mobil lost because the court ruled the definition of "synthetic" was too vague.
Castrol does manufacture a pure synthetic, which I believe is used by BMW dealers, but it is not "Syntec".

[dbrowne1]

quote:

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And a note about Castrol Syntec - it is not a true synthetic anymore. In the late 90's, they changed the formulation to a less expensive mineral oil base stock which is highly refined, but did not change their labeling or marketing to reflect that switch. This prompted Mobil to file suit against Castrol claiming false advertising. Mobil lost because the court ruled the definition of "synthetic" was too vague.
Castrol does manufacture a pure synthetic, which I believe is used by BMW dealers, but it is not "Syntec".

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Valvoline Synpower is also hydrocracked mineral oil (or "Group III") basestock, same as Syntec. BMW's oil is actually just 5W-40 Synpower repackaged. Same stuff you use.

If your analysis is that good, then I would just keep using it. Mobil 1 does offer 0W-40 which is excellent, but hard to find.

[silver12]

Regarding Valvoline 5w-40 being a group III, I've seen that, and also differing accounts on the oil analysis website. It is intersssting that the latest Castrol Syntec TV commercials rather cleverly never call thier oil "synthetic" while comparing it to "normal oil" or "protects in ways other oils can't." My biggest problem with Castrol is that they changed thier formulation but did not immediately change their marketing approach. Also, the 5w-50 grade is more of a marketing gimmick, because in my opinion, 5w-50 has very limited street application. I agree that the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and I have every reason to continue using the Valvoline 5w-40.

My understanding about BMW is that they used the Synpower up until about a year or two ago, until they switched to a Castrol synthetic 5w-30 as their relabeled supplier, at least in the US. In fact, that was once the only reliable place to find 5w-40, until they switched grades and suppliers to Castrol 5w-30.


[Modified by silver12, 9:44 PM 6-20-2002]

[Mindflux]

Anyone here tried http://www.royalpurple.com motoroil?

[tjl]

quote:

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Is Castrol 5W40 synthetic only availabe at the dealer? No info from their web site.

The Delvac 1 and Rotella T are designed for diesel engines. Any idea about whether they are suitable in gas engines? Or are they actually superior?

---

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 is only available at the VW or Audi dealer in the US.

Mobil Delvac 1 and Shell Rotella T Synthetic carry the API SJ rating for gasoline engines along with the ratings that they carry for diesel engines (API CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF in the case of Mobil Delvac 1). So they are suitable for any gasoline engine that specifies the use of API SJ rated oil.

[style]

It's funny--the manual of my 1999.5 mentions no specific viscosities, only to use one appropriate for local conditions. Of course, I would prefer to use one appropriate for ALL conditions!

Has anyone done analysis with 0w40 Mobil1? Also, I am interested in "extracting" a sample for analysis without actually changing the oil. Can an accurate (appropriately representative of all oil in the crankcase) sample be obtained by draining the filter on the VR6, or would draining the filter housing flush a lot of extra contaminants into the sample? Would an oil extractor enable me to take a small sample for analysis?

[jskho]

Even Amsoil XL7500 is Group III now...

[Morgan Perez]

My mechanic said the synthetic is the way to go, it cuts wear down by more than half. He explained it all to me and how that is all they use in race cars.

Castrol has the half synthetic half regular oil. And the pure synthetic.

Castol is a great oil cause it is kendall oil.

Morgan

[KevinC]

quote:

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Castrol has the half synthetic half regular oil. And the pure synthetic.

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HIGHLY doubtful that it's a 50/50 blend. Semi-synthetics are marketing BS at its finest - many are only 90/10 dino to synth ratio.. prolly Castrol too.

quote:

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Castol is a great oil cause it is kendall oil.

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Uh.. what??

[dbrowne1]

quote:

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My mechanic said the synthetic is the way to go, it cuts wear down by more than half. He explained it all to me and how that is all they use in race cars.

Castrol has the half synthetic half regular oil. And the pure synthetic.

Castol is a great oil cause it is kendall oil.

Morgan

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Catrol doesn't make ANY synthetic as far as I'm concerned. Their "Syntec" is hydrocracked mineral oil, not a true synthetic.

I've never put Kendall on any type of pedestal. It's what the crappy dealers and quicklube places use by the drum to make a profit.

[mrdirosa]

Since you guys look to be oil experts...I recently got a new Jetta 1.8t and although I'm only at 2600 miles - wondering what kind of oil I should put in at 5000. Roommate uses Amsoil and says it's the best out there - anyone know anything about this in our cars?

BTW - I live in Denver so durring the summer it's pretty darn hot here, in the winter it can get pretty cold, but most of the time it's not too bad out.

Thanks---

[Mindflux]

quote:

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Since you guys look to be oil experts...I recently got a new Jetta 1.8t and although I'm only at 2600 miles - wondering what kind of oil I should put in at 5000. Roommate uses Amsoil and says it's the best out there - anyone know anything about this in our cars?

BTW - I live in Denver so durring the summer it's pretty darn hot here, in the winter it can get pretty cold, but most of the time it's not too bad out.

Thanks---

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You think Denver gets hot? OH MAN.. I just moved from Denver/Littleton area to Austin, TX. You don't know what HOT is.

Anyway, I was using 15w50 Mobil 1 Synthetic pretty much year round up there.. no problems!!

I've heard good things about amsoil, but if you look at this thread it looks like even their true synthetics aren't what they used to be.

I *HAVE* heard a lot of good things about http://www.royalpurple.com oil from a few places recently.