[Vwdiesel] Oil recommendations?

[TexasTDI]

I currently change the oil in my TDI every 10k miles.  I haven't bothered
getting the oil analyzed to see if I can go longer.

My TDI doesn't use any oil.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada.  No noticeable movement on
the dipstick at all.  It's been that way since the first day I bought her.
I bought her with 45k miles.  Currently have 81,800 miles.

I have noticed a slight oil loss in my 1.6D, but I blame the leaking valve
cover gasket for it.

I don't have any problems with winter starting.  Of course it doesn't get
that cold down here either.  20F is about the coldest it ever gets.

No oil consumption.  No loss in fuel mileage.  No problems starting in
winter.  No reason for me to switch from Amsoil 15w-40 to Series 3000 5w-30.

Chris Thornton
1991 VW Jetta 2 Door 1.6 Diesel - 236k miles
2000 VW Golf 1.9TDI (turbo diesel) - 81k miles
Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Dealer #1098500
http://www.amsoil.com
http://texastdi.com/6/ubb.x

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tyler "Casioqv" Backman" <casioqv at usermail.com>
To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Oil recommendations?


> I suggest that the pour point is much more important than the other two
> variables you discuss. If the flash point is 4 degrees higher, or the
> volatility 2% higher is not a serious issue, but the fact that it flows
> much better at low temperatures is very important. With 10w40 it takes
> much longer for the oil pressure to build from a cold start (even in
> warm weather), and also takes longer to actually start (cranks slower).
> On my motor the oil light goes out in half the time with the 5w30. I
> also like to go snow camping, etc. in the winter, and the lighter oil
> can make the difference between starting and not starting at sub zero
> temperatures. Overall, both oils have very very similar specifications,
> but I don't mind paying a few dollars more/qt for oil that I will not
> likely change before 30k miles (depending on how oil analysis turns
> out). I have also become convinced (based on my own experience, that of
> other people who have done similar things, and some scientific
> experiments that have been done) that a thinner oil such as 5w30 reduces
> oil consumtion significantly in a motor with good rings, seals, etc.
> over a heavier oil such as 15w40 (but the effect doesn't seem to carry
> for even lighter oils). I am not sure why this occurs, but I can almost
> gurantee that you will experience less consumption with series 3000 than
> with 15w40, despite the increased volatility. You say that your TDI has
> zero oil consumption? I have heard of this with the TDI, but am not sure
> how it occurs. How much time between oil changes? You don't notice any
> drop at all on the dipstick even after 10k miles or so? My 1983 2.4
> liter VW Turbo diesel engine loses about 1qt/4000 miles despite having
> just been professionally rebuilt with top quality german components. The
> older VW diesels seem to burn a little oil even when new, I don't see
> how the new ones do not. Also, despite the fact that I am a amsoil
> dealer, so far I have only sold oil at cost without making a profit,
> because I became a dealer so me and my friends could save money on oil
> for racing, etc. (but I may decide to start selling it in the future). I
> have no profit motive for reccomending series 3000, or for using it
> myself. Personally, I don't see why amsoil can't offer a 5w30 diesel oil
> at the same price as the 15w40. I also don't see why they can't do the
> four ball wear test under the same pressure, temperature, rpm, and
> duration for both oils so they can be compared directly. I would be
> tempted to use Mobil 1 5w30 that you can buy anywhere, but it doesn't
> have the CG-4 rating, and Mobil doesn't seem to trust their product
> enough to stand behind it and warranty against breaking down when used
> with extended drain intervals.
>
> -Tyler
>
> TexasTDI wrote:
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Pour Point = -60F / -51C
> > Amsoil 20w-50 Pour Point = -33F / -36C
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Flash Point = -60F / -51C
> >
> > Amsoil 20w-50 Flash Point = 457F / 236C
> >
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Pour Point = -60F / -51C
> >
> > Amsoil 15w-40 pour point = -47F / -44C
> >
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Flash Point = 446F / 230C
> > Amsoil 15w-40 flash point is 453F / 234C
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Pour Point = -60F / -51C
> > Amsoil 10w-40 pour point = -54F / -48C
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Flash Point = 446F / 230C
> > Amsoil 10w-40 flash point = 450F / 232C
> >
> > Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 Noak = 8.6%
> > Amsoil 10w-40 Noak = 7%
> > Amsoil 15w-40 Noak = 6.7%
> > Amsoil 20w-50 Noak = 6.3%
> >
> > Obviously, Series 3000 will have the lowest pour point.  But it's dead
last
> > in every other category.  If you look at the specs on 15w-40, the oil I
> > recommend, you'll see it has a very low pour point, the 2nd highest
flash
> > point of them all, and the 2nd lowest volatility of them all.  (I really
> > don't recommend 20w-50 for diesels, I just wanted to add it's specs for
> > reference)
> >
> > Volatization is a term used to describe what happens to a fluid as it is
> > heated to the point it begins to "boil off." Upon reaching a certain
> > temperature, oil will begin to lose some of its lighter weight molecules
as
> > they "boil off" and leave heavier weight molecules behind. Not only does
> > this cause higher oil consumption, this process can also cause increased
> > viscosity making the oil more difficult to circulate through the
lubrication
> > system.  In other words, the lower the NOAK number, the better.
> >
> >
> > Unlike other Amsoil dealers that recommend their most expensive diesel
oil
> > out there to make a larger profit, I recommend an oil based on it's
> > performance specifications.  Amsoil 15w-40 is a great performing oil at
a
> > cost of only $5.20 per quart / $20.50 per gallon vs. Series 3000's cost
of
> > $8.35 per quart / $31.55 per gallon.
> >
> > If you had a chipped TDI that you drove 80mph everyday on the highway,
I'd
> > recommend Series 3000 5w-30.  Because it's really designed for a high
> > performance turbo diesel car that's run hard.  But keep in mind I do
have a
> > chipped TDI that I run hard on the highway, but I choose to use 15w-40.
And
> > 15w-40 has performed flawlessly in both of my diesels.  No loss of fuel
> > mileage vs. a 5w-40 oil and no oil consumption at all.
> >
> >
> > Chris Thornton