Fuel efficient Motor Oils
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Professional
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 153
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From: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fuel efficient Motor Oils
Hi,
I've lost a certain amount of confidence with the main dealer here in Riyadh - I think he's been feeding my D the wrong fluids...
Comparing the receipts from my previous (sub) dealer who serviced it before they became BMW:
1) The motor oil was Castrol 20W-50 SL and now its Gulf Max Supreme 5W-30 for the last 30,000 km
2) They didn't add a friction modifier when they last serviced the differential some 10,000km ago
Now I'm beginning to figure why the D burns oil and the differential has just thrown an issue...
turns out that the Gulf Oil is one of these so called energy efficient oils with (I suspect) low ZDDP and other wear reducing additives - good for the catalytic converter, but no good for the engine
does anyone have any opinions on these oils and how a D engine designed, as I understand, in the 50's reacts to be feed them...?? apparently low ZDDP trashes your camshaft in 10 mins flat if you're engine has flat tappets - I think the D has roller ones so maybe I got away with it.
I'm more concerned with oil blow by and piston ring / cylinder wall wear though - this oil sounds absolute sh*t and I'm going straight back to Castrol 20W-50
My D is with the dealer right now and following IndyDurango helpful post on an earlier thread, I'll check first thing tomorrow on the specs posted in the vehicle - once I've learn't friggin Arabic as this vehicle was an export version for the Middle East
Chris
I've lost a certain amount of confidence with the main dealer here in Riyadh - I think he's been feeding my D the wrong fluids...
Comparing the receipts from my previous (sub) dealer who serviced it before they became BMW:
1) The motor oil was Castrol 20W-50 SL and now its Gulf Max Supreme 5W-30 for the last 30,000 km
2) They didn't add a friction modifier when they last serviced the differential some 10,000km ago
Now I'm beginning to figure why the D burns oil and the differential has just thrown an issue...
turns out that the Gulf Oil is one of these so called energy efficient oils with (I suspect) low ZDDP and other wear reducing additives - good for the catalytic converter, but no good for the engine
does anyone have any opinions on these oils and how a D engine designed, as I understand, in the 50's reacts to be feed them...?? apparently low ZDDP trashes your camshaft in 10 mins flat if you're engine has flat tappets - I think the D has roller ones so maybe I got away with it.
I'm more concerned with oil blow by and piston ring / cylinder wall wear though - this oil sounds absolute sh*t and I'm going straight back to Castrol 20W-50
My D is with the dealer right now and following IndyDurango helpful post on an earlier thread, I'll check first thing tomorrow on the specs posted in the vehicle - once I've learn't friggin Arabic as this vehicle was an export version for the Middle East
Chris
All Star
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 882
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon, IN
Mobile and you should use the weight that is in the users guide.. THIS IS what the engine components where designed to use (weight) When the design a engine they design it with certain values that a particular weight of oil provides. So what ur manual says is what you should use...
I personally say Mobile 1 and you can not go wrong with that brand, other great oils out there such as Valvoline. Castrol is a decent oil, used it in one of my 4 cylinder cars and it did very well.
I personally say Mobile 1 and you can not go wrong with that brand, other great oils out there such as Valvoline. Castrol is a decent oil, used it in one of my 4 cylinder cars and it did very well.
Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,822
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
Chris & Sjo,
with all due respect, IIRC you have a 99' 5.9L. Your motor oil should be 10W30 to spec. Not 20W50 or 5W30.
With that said, you may be adjusting for the heat and the operating temps in Riyadh with a heavier oil to keep it from getting to thin from the heat. If you are having issues, try to go back to a quality 10W30. You would never want to run a thinner 5W30 or less in your 5.9L in that heat.
IndyD
with all due respect, IIRC you have a 99' 5.9L. Your motor oil should be 10W30 to spec. Not 20W50 or 5W30.
With that said, you may be adjusting for the heat and the operating temps in Riyadh with a heavier oil to keep it from getting to thin from the heat. If you are having issues, try to go back to a quality 10W30. You would never want to run a thinner 5W30 or less in your 5.9L in that heat.
IndyD
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 14,228
Likes: 19
From: Riverton, UT
Keep the receipts!!!!!!!
The motor needs 10W-30. Now in cold temps 5W-30 is premissable. I will recommend Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic High Mileage 10W-30 and a Mopar (OEM) oil filter both avalible at Wal-mart.
Get the friction modifier back in the rear end!
The motor needs 10W-30. Now in cold temps 5W-30 is premissable. I will recommend Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic High Mileage 10W-30 and a Mopar (OEM) oil filter both avalible at Wal-mart.
Get the friction modifier back in the rear end!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
A quality synthetic like Mobil 1 either 5W-30 or 10W-30 is the way to go. Any higher viscosity and you will run into heat problems. In really hot climates a 20W-50 will not allow your oil to efficiently carry heat away from engine components. It will hold the heat in. And a 30 viscosity oil will flow into tight areas that a 50 weight will not.