Thread: synthetic oils

Originally Posted by joel_nicholson

Yeah thats right. I have been using 15/40 except its mineral. So basically Delvac 1 is no good for a Tdi

I would suggest you have a read up on what the 5w/40 - 5w/40 - 15w etc., etc., in the point of viscosity range really means

Then I think you may change your point of view,

Originally Posted by ladas

I would suggest you have a read up on what the 5w/40 - 5w/40 - 15w etc., etc., in the point of viscosity range really means

Then I think you may change your point of view,

I'm not sure where you're going with that.

I refer to my previous post:

"According to Mobil here http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/mobil_au/ they recommend Delvac 1 or Delvac MX for my 200Tdi.

So is it safe to use Delvac 1 5W40 in a 200Tdi, or just the Tdi in general?(since I think that they are essentially the same engine anyway, and to benefit all the 300Tdi owners who might be interested)

The recommendation from this site seems very very positive so I'd be interested to try it, provided its safe*"

*disambiguation: safe. ie, its going to protect a Tdi engine in the climate of this country being a 5W40 oil which Land Rover recommend for -30 - -10 climates.

I am trying to work out an answer to my question (in bold).

In my opinion, and a few others on this site, and in Mobil's opinion it is more than safe to use

Delvac 1 5W40 in a 200Tdi

or as stated, the Delvac MX 15W-40

Ladas

Thanks. I'll pick some up in that case, changing the oil in about 2.5weeks.

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

anyone where to get this from in sydney....?

BTT. I'm interested in this too for the Mobil Delvac 1.

Originally Posted by 93RRC

I have heard that synthetic oils can damage or 'eat away' seals in engines that aren't designed for use with it.

Funny a mechanic told me that once as well.
I am currently have Penrite HPR 50 in the Rangie.
I was going to get full synthetic but I was advised that becasue it cleans so well I could end up with leak.
I was told that seals/gaskets etc get a build up over them, if I use a synthetic it could clean the build up off and cause a leak.

I don't know how true or not this is but it seemed to make sence.

most mechanics really know jack about oils.............

most 'synthetics' eg Penrite, Castrol 5W-30 (and probably 10W-60), Shell, Pennzoil, etc are hydrocracked mineral oils and so are seal friendly.

PAO's tend to be seal neutral to slight seal shrinkage, so esters or, in current formulations of Mobil 1's case, alkylated napthalenes are added in very small % to offset this. Also esters and AN's have a natural detergency and an EP/AW capacity.

Ester and Polyolester based formula's (Motul, Redline, Neo, et al) use a small ammount of PAO to offset the slight seal swelling of the ester.

All these formula's are fine with any automotive seal. What they may do, particularly the ester based formulas is clean out any debris or sludge backed up aganst a seal surface and if the seal is already worn or dodgy, it may weep/leak.

For those that think a 5W-40 is 'thinner' than a 15W-40, and those that are just confused regarding the whole SAE viscosity thing







FWIW, Delvac 1, even though it is a 5W-40 exceeds the HTHS of a 15W-40
Hope this clears a few things up.