oil type - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimSmith · #16 12-10-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Compared to the Diesel oils of the '80s and early '90s
(AND the ULSD oils of Today)
The additive package in the Syn Rotella T protects the Valvetrains of the
'80s to mid '90s Diesels better!

No argument. The dino Delvac is a fine oil as well. The physics, and chemistry that has evolved to support the physics of engine oil performance over that last thirty years is remarkable. Applying the advantage of that remarkable technical effort to any machine you value, for whatever reasons, will likely pay a good dividend in extended engine life. Jim

71inka02 · #17 12-10-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

No argument. The dino Delvac is a fine oil as well. The physics, and chemistry that has evolved to support the physics of engine oil performance over that last thirty years is remarkable. Applying the advantage of that remarkable technical effort to any machine you value, for whatever reasons, will likely pay a good dividend in extended engine life. Jim

Well, first of all-you said it best, when you said: "you asked"...

In reference to my wife's E320, and oil usage --- first of all, it leaks nothing -- the oil is going out the tailpipe...and to my understanding that's the norm for this model car, especially with the mileage. We had the dealer do a consumption test back around 150K, and it was within MB's acceptable guidelines --- It goes thru a quart about every 1500 miles...And that's the Synthetic, and as we all know it's not a couple of bucks per quart! So basically she gets a complete refreshing of oil-between changes! The only positive is -- since it's Synthetic, it doesn't smoke. For me "mentally" --- that's just wrong, and it's a definite anxiety issue for me....But, there's also reasons why my wife and I don't 'discuss' her car ---- she uses the dealer and her car is her mobile office. She stops by the dealer picks up a 6 pack of Mobil 1, and off she goes.

For some reason she's bothered that when I get involved with her car, I lift the hood - look around it - I also 'may' question a new door ding, or make a comment about the number of ink pens in the console, or the number and variety of lip sticks laying in the passenger seat, so forth and so on......She says I'm too 'critical' ----- Don't know where she gets that idea!!!

I'm not against making the switch to Synthetic in my Diesels, but am still a little old school....Start with one type of oil and stick with it!

But when I read about starting advantage in colder weather, and the long term positives, which make complete sense to me ---- It's a tough one for me......

Thanks for allowing me think out loud---

babymog · #18 12-10-2008, 02:04 PM

The 5W-30 is an adequate oil for most temperatures you'd walk to your car in, consult the "recommended lubricants" portion of your manual.

Further, a synthetic 5W-30 is better at cold starting temps than a dino 5W-30, open a bottle of each after 2hours in the freezer and see which one will pour out (and therefore pump to the engine's critical areas during cranking/startup). There is no reason IMO to run a dino oil in sub-freezing temps (or at all unless you're just trying to save a few bucks on oil).

I've been changing engines with 200,000miles over to synthetic, and running new ones on synthetic, since about '75. Amsoil and Mobil 1 were infants at the time, but since the turbine-engines were running exclusively synthetic, we were curious enough to do some oil analysis and trials. AT THAT TIME, the oils were better lubricants, but didn't swell the seals as much as dino oils, so switching did creat leaks in some older engines. Switching back so that the seals swelled back to their original dimensions would again "cure" the leaks. No permanent damage, just inconvenient.

In the past quarter-century, much has changed, such as the aeromatic content of synthetic oils to swell the seals the same amount as non-synthetics. Very simple chemistry once the industry realized it was necessary, and the "synthetic oil causes leaks" is mostly very old news, and inaccurate for decades. It is what many hang their hat on as a reason to not recommend synthetics or to not buy them. I run everything on synthetics, from heavy-duty diesels to my air-cooled snowblower. No problems and no leaks. I have had engines' oil consumption decrease after a change over to synthetics, but I believe that to be mostly the lower evaporation of the synthetic.

Go synthetic if you: use the car in a cold climate, wish to run extended change intervals, are required to by car warranty, want longer engine life or better fuel mileage, or generally don't mind spending a little more at change time to save in the end.

Lots of data out there, and even more mis-information.

gvran71 · #19 12-10-2008, 03:54 PM

Dumped the 5W30 today and replaced it with Pennzoil European Formula Synthetic 5W40 (on the approved list). Thanks again for the information.

By the way, the car in question is a 95 E300 D that I purchased a month ago with 47,000 verified miles. Maintenance records were impeccable. Heated seats and all other functions work perfect. The only rust was near the antenna mast that I had grinded out and painted. (they worked from inside the truck as well). Hopefully, I can ward off further rust in that area. I will post some pics soon.

odie · #20 12-10-2008, 03:56 PM

15W-40 fleet oil, brand don't matter much IMHO

71inka02 · #21 12-10-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odie

15W-40 fleet oil, brand don't matter much IMHO

Synthetic or Dino?

JimSmith · #22 12-10-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

Well, first of all-you said it best, when you said: "you asked"...

In reference to my wife's E320, and oil usage --- first of all, it leaks nothing -- the oil is going out the tailpipe...and to my understanding that's the norm for this model car, especially with the mileage. We had the dealer do a consumption test back around 150K, and it was within MB's acceptable guidelines --- It goes thru a quart about every 1500 miles...And that's the Synthetic, and as we all know it's not a couple of bucks per quart! So basically she gets a complete refreshing of oil-between changes! The only positive is -- since it's Synthetic, it doesn't smoke. For me "mentally" --- that's just wrong, and it's a definite anxiety issue for me....But, there's also reasons why my wife and I don't 'discuss' her car ---- she uses the dealer and her car is her mobile office. She stops by the dealer picks up a 6 pack of Mobil 1, and off she goes.

For some reason she's bothered that when I get involved with her car, I lift the hood - look around it - I also 'may' question a new door ding, or make a comment about the number of ink pens in the console, or the number and variety of lip sticks laying in the passenger seat, so forth and so on......She says I'm too 'critical' ----- Don't know where she gets that idea!!!

I'm not against making the switch to Synthetic in my Diesels, but am still a little old school....Start with one type of oil and stick with it!

But when I read about starting advantage in colder weather, and the long term positives, which make complete sense to me ---- It's a tough one for me......

Thanks for allowing me think out loud---

The 1988 300E is my wife's car and she finds the oil consumption of a quart per ~1800 - 2000 miles perfectly acceptable - I get to add the oil when the light comes on because the engine oil fill cap is too hard for her to turn.

I believe that kind of consumption is "normal" and the engine will last a long time without getting worse. Ours has over 200,000 miles and runs as smooth as a turbine. Besides, there are other things to worry about, like the differential and a rear wheel bearing that are more real issues.

Oil selection has somehow become very personal. It is your car and your money, so the decision is entirely yours. The rest of us have opinions, obviously, but really nothing at stake in your decision. Jim

71inka02 · #23 12-10-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimSmith

The 1988 300E is my wife's car and she finds the oil consumption of a quart per ~1800 - 2000 miles perfectly acceptable - I get to add the oil when the light comes on because the engine oil fill cap is too hard for her to turn.

I believe that kind of consumption is "normal" and the engine will last a long time without getting worse. Ours has over 200,000 miles and runs as smooth as a turbine. Besides, there are other things to worry about, like the differential and a rear wheel bearing that are more real issues.

Oil selection has somehow become very personal. It is your car and your money, so the decision is entirely yours. The rest of us have opinions, obviously, but really nothing at stake in your decision. Jim

Sounds like my wife as well -- she doesn't think twice about it. Although, my wife has been having one of our sons add the oil - I'm fairly confident the reason she asks the boys, is because, and I guess I do it 'subconsciously'....but I ask how long the the car has been asking for oil - the answer is usually a couple of days. So now we're back to "her" thinking that I'm sometimes a little critical.

First step to recovery is admitting ---- so maybe she's right, maaayyybee?

Thanks for the information --- I have enough Valvoline dino oil for 2 more changes --- when it's gone, I'm going to make the jump to synthetic, and not look back. Gonna see tonight what Valvoline has to offer in synthetic diesel oil.

Regards,

Hatterasguy · #24 12-10-2008, 06:25 PM

I'm running Amsoil 15w40 now since I have a reasonable priced source. I used to be a die hard 3k mile oil change guy, but I just don't have the time anymore. I think the oil in the SDL will have about 6k miles on it when I change it and finaly put it in storage this weekend. I figure if my friend goes 8k-10k with his E300D, I'm good in the 5k-6k range with my car. Oil is expensive and on modern cars its good for at least 5k miles.