Supertech oil = crap
 

Recently ive been changing the oil in my 240d with supertech 15w40 oil. Since then ive been noticing that in the mornings when its cold, its taking more time for the oil pressure gauge to reach a full 3 bars, sometimes over 12 seconds. I also noticed that my engine started using oil, the entire drive from california to washington over 1000 miles, this engine never burnt one drop when i was using delvac and suddenly its acting wierd and burning oil.

So today i put some synthetic 15w40 in there with a touch of atf fluid to try and clean everything up, and then i drove about 300miles down to portland and back. About halfway down there, the oil pressure gauge became very responsive where as before it used to lag behind the engine rpm's, now its very accurate. The engine also didnt use any oil the entire trip.. Im never going to use that oil again its not worth the .50 cent savings at all.

Took 12 seconds to see pressure??? I doubt the oil is at fault...even cold molasses in the sump would start to build pressure after that long...

I think that the oil was starting to gel because after i put synthetic in there the oil pressure now shoots up to the 3 bar mark, as soon as i turn the key.

I agree with johnathan1, 12 seconds likely means something other than the oil. Clogged filter, bad stem rings, blockage of the pickup screen, etc.

Thats the thing, it started hapening after the second oil change with this new crappy oil, after i filled it with rotella synthetic the issue's went away so either there was something blocking the pickup screen, or the oil was coagulating in the oil pan. the stem o-rings are only six months old. i put a brand new wix filter in there every time i do the oil change. I was starting to get worried about the oil pump until i changed the oil.

Soooo.....the real question here is why did you abuse your 240d and put in such low grade oil? :D ;)

I tried that stuff in the wife's Rav4.....it burned 1.5 quarts in less than 1000 miles :eek: It really is low grade stuff. I put in Mobil 1 0w30 "high efficiency" full synthetic.....almost 1000 miles later the level hasn't changed, AND it is getting an extra 2-3 mpg!

I wonder who makes Wal-Mart's "Super-Tech" branded oil. I'm betting their oil filters are WIX. I don't know this... but I do see that they're USA made. They claim 2-3x the filtration of the two major leading brands (Fram and ???). I buy their oil filters for my GMC Diesel Suburban. Actually come to think of it I used S.T. oil in both the Burb and the MB the last time. Seems to be working fine so far.

On another note... I worked with a guy who drove an early 90's Ford Escort to 400k miles. I asked him what oil he's using and I'm pretty sure if my memory is good... that he said... WAL-MART!!!

I could never put walmart oil in a MB.... :eek: Only the best for the best. :D

You're true about the best for the best... But...

Like anything at Wal-Mart that's Wal-Branded... It's not "Wal-Mart" anything. They don't even make applesauce I'm sure. Probably Motts.

That said, my next door neighbor is a manager at Kingsford MFG (Charcoal). Kingsford will not sell to Wal-Mart as rebranded Great Value or Sam's Choice or whatever. So the next big charcoal MFG got that gig. I think it's Royal Oak if I recall what he told me. And of course Kingsford Lights Faster and Burns Longer (if he said otherwise he'd loose his job:)).

So... who knows what oil Wal-Mart is buying from who. But I'd bet good money that it's a major brand. I'd guess it's from Valvoline or Shell. Who knows though. Probably not Penz Oil or Quaker since they don't sell much 15W40. Probably not Mobil since it's expensive.

That oil has got to be one of the lower brands though....it burned horribly in the rav4.....and its gotta be cheap to sell a gallon of the stuff for $7 and still turn a profit. Thats only a little more than a gallon of actual fuel costs!

My college car was a Ford Tempo and it seemed louder than usual with Super-Tech. My MB and GM Diesel are already a good bit louder than the gasser I once owned but I don't hear any extra noise in either of those.

In the oil debates that happen here all the time (kind of funny on some of them-especially when we had good ole 240Joe's no oil change garbage)... but someone said if it's slippery and clean, it'll work. I kind of wonder myself. That said, you do get what you pay for. Be nice to do a test comparing things like compression and metal in oil after say 100k in two identical new engines comparing cheap oils vs. Mobil 1 Synthetic changed every 3000 miles (or equivalent in hours).

is this a oil thread?....

Yea, i bought some walmart oil---it was the 2 stroke version, for mixing in gasoline for the chainsaw! Now for a diesel Benz, I think we want a little more quality, no?

Considering that oil pressure is measured "upstream" from the filter element, it doesn't seem likely that a clogged filter could be the culprit. A poor filter seal, however, could be allowing the filter housing to empty while the engine is not running, resulting in a delayed oil pressure indication.

In summer weather conditions, a delay in oil pressure cannot reasonably be the fault of the oil. You could fill the oil sump with water and get good pressure a lot faster than 12 seconds, assuming no other factors were involved.

If you own a MB what the **** are you doing in a Walmart parking lot? Never mind actualy going inside and purchasing stuff!:eek::D

Around here they are real creepy, its amazing how normal they are down south though!

They are almost as common in the South as arrogance is in other parts of the country!!!

For those of you like me who unfortunately go to Walfart to buy oil, Walfarts usually have a Tire and Quick lube place on one of the sides of the store. And in my case the automotive section is right where the quicklube is. I park in the seldom-used spaces near the quick lube, walk in to Walfart through the quick lube entrace, and there's the auto section. There's also a couple of Cashiers at the quick lube entrance where you can pay for all of your stuff. It's almost like not going into Walfart. Just think of it as a big Mcparts.

Touché.:D At least you don't have to speak Spanish to shop at them where you live. Its like taking a little trip to Mexico up here!

I use SuperTech oil in my cars, and I have for a while now. It will work just fine...it has been widely debated over on the Supra forums by people that use it in high-stress very high performance turbo engine applications, and I haven't heard one bad thing about it.

Spanish seems to be the new language of the automotive parts industry. Around here they have this little sticker on their name tags at Autozone that says "hablo espanol", I think it should read "I can speak English too" as they NEVER speak English, even when i am a customer bringing brake cleaner or gasket shellac (about the only thing compatible with MB's there) to the cashier the only word in English they say to me is 'thank-you', they always continue their conversation among themselves 'en espanol'. . .

as for SuperTech, the name turns me off, it sounds low end. I used it once in a pinch in my 2 cycle Yamaha outboard on my boat, it burnt like it was suppose to. The MB only drinks premium dinosaurs. . .

Long term Engine Wear Test
 

777funk,

Mobil took two brand new BMW's (Back in the 1980's) one on "Dino",one on
Mobil 1... 'Ran them 200,000 miles...with factory oil change intervals.At the
end of the test, both engines were dis-assembled.The Mobil 1 engine showed
virtually No Wear.The pictures are still hanging around somewhere on the web.

Of course since E/M is screwing around and retrograding back to cheaper base
stocks,the only things running on it around here are the lawnmower and the test ford.

Nice.

WalMart Oil filters are made my Champion Labs (not the same ppl that make Champion Spark plugs).

Champion also makes the Oil Filters for STP, ACDelco, Bosch, Mobil 1 and K&N.

As far as Supertech oil, I doubt that it was causing your issues. Supertech oil, like all other oil you can buy at wal mart or your FLAPS, has to carry the API Diesel Rating of CI4. I dont see how this oil could cause your problems.

Did you save some of the old oil to send to Blackstone Labs for analysis to see what the real issue is?

As for me, I don't think I would use Supertech in my SDL, just because it only costs a little more to run a better oil. In my case, I use Royal Purple and send a sample into Blackstone every 3000 miles.

Just my .02, but if you're really concerned about the oil, maybe a good place to get more feedback is bobistheoilguy.....

Some people are happy with the superteck oil it appears. We found it unacceptable for our diesel volkswagon engines quite awhile ago. Yet it carries a high rating classification on the label.

It seemed to loose viscosity as far as we could accertain in comparison to all the other base oils we had experience with prior to that. I would never consider using it again.

When decent oils are on sale I usually stock up enough until the next promotional event occurs. Sometimes the local distributors will sell you the oil brands you preffer quietly at the wholesale price. Depends on local policy as they are independantly owned in a lot of cases.

If you buy fuel oil for your furnace talk to them. Sometimes it works well. Oil threads I usually stay away from yet that superteck oil was inferior enough in our applications to get our attention. I personally would not recommend their diesel rated oil to anyone. It is not because I have a particular alternative favorite brand either.

There was and is a major problem also with their in house oil they use when doing oil changes on gas engines. Japanese cars like my son in laws are burning oil now at much lower overall milage than expected. It is the only place he has gotten oil changes done. All at the right scheduled milage interval as recommended by the manufacturer.

Labels lie, or more accurately, mislead.

This is precisely the reason I change my own oil in both my cars.

1) I see the mobile one come from the bottle into my engine (premium dinosaurs in the case of the MB)

2) I know its done right, no loose (or not replaced at all) filters, drain plugs.

I dont care to wait 30 minutes for some greasy dude at a lube shop to drive my car around (mess inside the cabin), get oily handprints on the car and then charge me the same price as I pay to do it myself.

I use Catrol 20W-50 in the 280. I used Penzoil 15W-40 HD Diesel oil once and the car ran alot better than with the gasser oil, the oil pressure was higher and seemed to give it few more HP.

Yea, not to mention that some places try to get all the oil out by cranking the engine briefly before closing it all up. :eek:

Hey now... don't go there: I'm the official crotchety man here, lol.

I'm working to replace you!:P:D

I think my post was misunderstood so I'm going to zip up ye old flame suit and roast for a bit.:D

Well as long as you have the suit on...
I'll let you take some heat. My suit is permanent cause I really don't care what others think of me- I know I'm right up until the moment I admit I'm wrong. I shoulda gone into politics.:D
Anyways, I go to Wallyworld for much of my oil if/when they sell mobil synthetic. I would'nt use supertech for any reason other than household general household lube like 3 in 1.
(hey just kidding about the "know I'm right stuff...")

[QUOTE=redassag00;1940682]WalMart Oil filters are made my Champion Labs (not the same ppl that make Champion Spark plugs).

Champion also makes the Oil Filters for STP, ACDelco, Bosch, Mobil 1 and K&N.

As far as Supertech oil, I doubt that it was causing your issues. Supertech oil, like all other oil you can buy at wal mart or your FLAPS, has to carry the API Diesel Rating of CI4. I dont see how this oil could cause your problems.

Did you save some of the old oil to send to Blackstone Labs for analysis to

What the heck is that little film with the lawn mower all about?

Tom W

Now I didn't see this as a slam to the south. I saw it as a statement that the ones in the south are not creepy, which I took as a compliment.

Tom W

first off, why would place cheap recycled wal's martz oil, it the worst product that ever placed in the automobile section, especially IN A MERCEDES BENZ!!!!! It has 0 capability to handle soot!!!!

Thats what it was ment to be.

When we get our project 300SD up and running it is getting an initial fill with "Coastal" dino oil from Autozone. We're going to run it maybe 30-45 mins of driving with that, then we're switching it over to synthetic Rotella (same day) and changing the filter again....we're looking at it as a "pre-flush" to get any junk in the engine out that may have gone in there.

The "coastal" stuff is certified diesel oil 15w40.....and its about $10 a gallon....since we're running it less than an hour....it shouldn't matter. :D

I just got a 1976 240D the oil was black just my other cars. I drained the engine oil and oil cooler over night to get everything out. I put in Valvoline’s Premium Blue diesel 15w/40. Several days later the oil is still clear. http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=112
I have allways liked Valvoline oil I got on sale at Advanced auto parts.
The engine is vert quiet now.

I don't use dino oil, it gets way too thick when it is cold here. Synthetic is better. Ut oh....oil thread! :D ;)

Valvoline Premium Blue...

I noticed in AutoZone the other day that Cummins endorses it and recommends it for their engines.

That's a strong statement about something. I don't know too many people driving diesels and into technology/mechanical things who don't have a high regard for Cummin's diesel engines.

I wonder what that stuff is like.

Just perused the oil section at WalMart.
 

The Super Tech branded stuff was marked(obscurely) as an "Ashland Oil" product. I know nothing about Ashland other than their coal exploits in Kentucky. Just FYI.

I wouldn't be surprised if numerous suppliers fill Super Tech bottles depending on which masochistic company submits most readilly to WalMart's desire to whip any given market into complete submission.

I hereby offer an oath to you all that I will not get into the detrimental impact of WalMart's business practices on this board. There's not enough time or bandwidth to choke it all out.

I use Rotella exclusively in all my Diesel Benzes. The gasser gets whatever is on the menu since it burns enough, and gets topped up enough, to always show honey clean oil on the dipstick. Anyone want to grant me the time to change out the valve guide seals on a M103?

I tend to buy my oil at walmart only because they have the best price....however, I only buy Rotella Synthetic.

Walmart is a long ways from where I live, so if I am in need of oil and happen to be at autozone, I'll pay the extra $1.60 a gallon and get it there.

Autozone has been running an amazing deal right now on Mobil 1, you get 5qts of oil and a Mobil 1 filter (essentially the best filter out there) for $27....I bought enough to do my uncle's car, sister's car, and wife's car. None of them drive enough to exceed one oil change per year.

Minivan and uncle's cavalier get Mobil 1 5w30 Synthetic....my wife's Rav has been getting the 0w30 high efficiency stuff...it actually did gain us 2-3mpg almost immediately. Amazing!

My car has used Rotella since new, according to P.O's. I have about 4 gallons of Dino Rotella left, after that is used up I'll probably switch to Synthetic rotella. At 128k miles it's probably a good idea.

They probably just thinned some crude with gasoline to get the viscosity right :D

Just kidding, but your story does make me wonder if lower viscosity fractions were getting cooked out and burned off in these blowby machines of ours. Of course, if you have one of those rare no-blowby engines, then that theory is dead :)

I like the Shell Rotella 15W-40. It seems to make the engine quieter and it doesn't burn off nearly as quick :P

As for Walmart... I shop there. I'm not ashamed of it. I *always* make use of my CCW permit when I go there due to the other customers but people are generally friendly right? :D

The MB has replaced my Furd as my "Walmart" car as of late :o

Ever since I fixed most of the major leaks on my engine, it doesn't really lose or burn anything between the 4,000ish mile intervals I run the oil. The most I've had to add in that time period (on Rotella synthetic) was maybe 1/3 a quart. Thats it!

yeah my engine has no blow by its amazing, but its because the engine was recently rebuilt maybie 20k miles ago.

Ive been running it on that same mix of atf/synthetic to try and clean everything up. seems to be running fine with that mix so far Im going to switch to rotella or something and never use that stuff again, it was only endorsed for mack trucks (or something like that) they called it "universal" oil. It was 8.93$ a gallon, and mobile 1 delvac or rotella costs 9.50 its not worth it.