What Oil to use?M1, Castro synt? or other - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mptoledo · 07-25-2009, 08:31 AM

After much extensive research, I am now more confused than before.

Many on rentech and other reputable sites believe that M1 xw40 is great but apparently cant be had in the states. They actually believe Mobile 1 10w30 may lead to the "AOS" failure and white smoke. Most also suggest a minimum of 7500mile changes, and less if you are hard on it. Some even suggest 2 times a year for the different seasons in ohio. Like 5W40 for winter and 15W40 for summer.
http://www.babblers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11064&highlight=mobile

Questions:
1.)What oil do you use in your Boxster? I am in ohio so we get some cold weather. I am leaning towards Castro syntec 5W40.

2.)what air and oil filters should I use? I have heard great things about K&N.

rd400rz · 07-25-2009, 09:49 AM

mobil one 0W40 you can buy it at any store around here auto zone ,advanced auto,etc

mptoledo · 07-25-2009, 10:04 AM

It was 4W40 they said wasn't sold in america, but after reading this article I am rethinking the use of Mobile 1.

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

gregdacat · 07-25-2009, 10:18 AM

Not another oil thread AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

mptoledo · 07-25-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregdacat

Not another oil thread AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Yes indeed, why is that a problem? actually i was asking about filters also.

There has been a lot of people going away from mobile 1 see below. Since I am about to change my oil, I was trying to get some proffesional opinions on the subject. The main problem seems to be anything lower than xxW40.

http://www.babblers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11064&highlight=mobile

Guys,

If you really read those threads that Jake Raby has some input on, the suggestion is not only to reduce the change interval, but to move away from Mobil 1 as well. What no one is saying is: move to what ? Raby can't be more prescriptive on that for legal reasons at the present time, but he will tell you that he does not use M1 in his engines. If you have a Raby motor put in your car, it will not come back to you with M1 in the crankcase.

You have to decide for yourself if you want to do this, and to what oil, but I can tell you that I dug DEEP into this topic and after a LOT of reading came to the conclusion that the M1 had to go. I saw and read enough to make me a believer that the M1 may be a main player in the IMS failures. This is just my personal opinion, but you can dig and read on the subject as well and draw your own conclusions. I can say though, that my opinion is based on a lot of research and reading on the subject, and on 30 years of turning wrenches on my own street cars, and drag racing motors.

I made the switch to Castrol Syntec 5w-40, which is still on Porsche's approved oil list as are many other commonly available 5w-40 fully synthetic oils. I have used Castrol lubricants for years, in both street and racing motors, and never once had a problem. However Quaker State, Penzoil, Valvoline, Motul, Exon, and Havoline 5w-40 synthetics are all on the approved list along with many others. I would personally not hesitate to use Royal Purple 5w-40 either, although it is not on Porsche's approved list. I have had very good experiences with it in the past.

Just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, but you can dig and read as well as I can I'm sure. If you dig enough, and in the right places, my bet is you will come to a similar conclusion. Besides....it is ZERO risk to change oil, since so many other oils are on the approved list and cost pretty much the same as M1.
__________________

gregdacat · 07-25-2009, 11:05 AM

It's not a problem. I understand you're just trying to get others opinions. It just gets old reading post after post about motor oils. In the end there never is a consensus. Some people like Mobil 1. Some people like Royal Purple. Some like Redline ect. ect, ect. If you do a search on this forum using the word "Mobil" (for some reason it won't allow you to use "Mobil 1") you will find you get 268 hits for different threads.

Jake Raby · 07-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Sorry, but I NEVER divulge oil information and making a recommendation that defies Porsche's "Bible" is a good way to end up being responsible for someone's failed engine.. In a perfect world I could share information without any negative fallout.. Not happening in the 21st Century..

No one can squeeze the info from me, not on the phone, here or face to face.. Read the oil article on the LN Engineering site and make your selection based on that as Charles and I worked together on it.

Oil selections are hot topics with lots of critics and experts that don't know a piston from a cylinder head, but they will argue their point based on BS in advertisements and what they have "read"... Not me, direct experience is ALL that matters.

mptoledo · 07-26-2009, 05:47 PM

thanks for the reply, after reading many of your posts and blogs I kind of figured that would be the answer. I guess it would be pointless to ask what you put in your car last oil change(I know, I know

). I have read http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html twice. I will read it again to see if I missed anything as it is quite technical and I haven't found the cliff notes version yet

Can you at least tell me if putting either of these types is "not" recommended by Porsche? 10W40 (highmilage) or 5W40 (turbo diesel truck). these are the only two W40 that my local small town stores have. If not I will not ask again.

Again thanks for all your hard work on the subject. I just wish we didn't live in such a ligitious society!!

Frodo · 07-26-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote: "Not happening in the 21st Century.. "

Posted by Jake Raby.

Jake, Jake, Jake. Not in the 21st Century?? Well...I think I speak for most of us here when I say motor oil information divulged in 2100 won't do most of us any good at all!

As a former lawyer (I got tired of dealing with other lawyers, many of which are absolute pains in the butt to deal with, so I got out of the business...though I have to admit: they are an interesting crowd to have a beer with), I KNOW that, when it comes to defamation, libel, etc, TRUTH is an absolute defense.

Why don't you just make available RESULTS from tests of the various motor oils you've tested?? You don't have to make any recommendations per se. With black and white test results, reported in an unbiased manner, we can reach our own conclusions as to which motor oil to choose.

You can even have your own lawyers (I'm sure you have a team of them on retainer at all times for dealing with just such issues, Right?) draft up some sort of disclaimer to toss into the mix, to create yet another barrier to liability.

Whaddaya say, Jake? We're thirsty for reliable info! Toss us a bone here Jake!

ovul82jazz · 07-26-2009, 02:17 PM

Wish I'd read this thread last week. I just changed my oil and put in 5W30 M1.... now, I'm having serious second thoughts. What is the big issue with the 30W? I live well N of the 49th parallel and its cool up here most of the time. Putting in the 5W made my noisy lifters quiet right down and things are running ever so smoothly.

Is this a big enough issue that you'd recommend I drain and refill with thicker oil before next Spring?

:chicken:

mptoledo · 07-26-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovul82jazz

Wish I'd read this thread last week. I just changed my oil and put in 5W30 M1.... now, I'm having serious second thoughts. What is the big issue with the 30W? I live well N of the 49th parallel and its cool up here most of the time. Putting in the 5W made my noisy lifters quiet right down and things are running ever so smoothly.

Is this a big enough issue that you'd recommend I drain and refill with thicker oil before next Spring?

:chicken:

Chances are you will be all right, but if it was me and what I have read, yes I would do something. You may be fine, but why chance it. there were a "few" who brought up a possible link between "aos" failure and 30 weight. Its about the viscosity and the posche engine breaking down 30 weight oils easily. An easy fix to save you some money is in the following thread. Just empty out a few quarts and replace with 50 weight.
http://www.babblers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=56040&highlight=mobile&page=2

"when i got my second boxster ppi'ed at a porsche mechanic he gave me the car a cocktail of mobil 5w30 and 15w50.... said it would give the grade of 10w40 which mobil 1 didn't have... so when i made a mistake of putting in 5w30 he said drain half the oil and add 15w50... did that and everything is good... when i had the 5w30 in (about 600 miles) i noticed frequently on start ups i would get a puff of smoke after the cocktail mix none at all and seem to drive a tad cooler and quieter.. funny though when i had my 97 i used 15w50 and it would puff smoke after 2-3 start ups..."

Jake Raby · 07-26-2009, 04:02 PM

The engine's oil DOES NOT lube the IMS bearing in factory form. The factory IMS bearing is a permanently lubricated SEALED unit... Thats why it fails. engine oil selections have little impact on the IMS bearing.

mptoledo · 07-26-2009, 04:11 PM

sorry, I did it again. It was the AOS they were talking about. Thanks for heads up on my mistake, I will edit it.

mptoledo · 07-26-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

The engine's oil DOES NOT lube the IMS bearing in factory form. The factory IMS bearing is a permanently lubricated SEALED unit... Thats why it fails. engine oil selections have little impact on the IMS bearing.

Hey, wait a minute, you are the guy I have been googleing for the past two days.

Sorry I am real slow today(slower than usual). Please put this to rest, as you have more knowledge in your little toe Than I will ever have on this oil issue. What do you (or can you legally) recommend me to use in my 2001 boxster "s"? Please include weight also(I live in ohio but don't drive too much in winter). I plan to change every 7000miles or once a year. MY car has 60k miles on it, I don't abuse it, but I do like to hear it sing through the gears quite often.

Ps do you still think ZDDPlus is a good additive for me?