i'm about to do an oil change so i dug this up from the old forum, and decided to post here for your viewing pleasure (dr. diesel, please add the comments that are running through your head):
BlackTieTD
Senior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 12:47 PM
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what oil do you guys run in your vw turbo diesels?
i have a newly-installed 1.6TD, MF code, in my rabbit with about 200km (200km, not 200,000km) on the head and unknown amount of kilometers on rebuilt block (less than 100,000km). i'm wondering if i should switch to a synthetic oil for the first oil change. i don't mind the extra cost if it will make the engine run smoother, longer, and lengthen turbo life... but i don't want to throw money away if synthetic won't make any difference.
i'm running cheap non-synth right now.
thoughts?
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lschmidt
1982 Rabbit Turbo Diesel LS 'Black Tie Edition'
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FSP gtd
Senior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 01:20 PM
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Mobil Delvac 1 5w40 is really great stuff.
Switching to it from conventional oil, I have documented approx 3% gain in power as a result from the reduced friction!
Since it was so hard to find, I tried someone available from my local store - an Amsoil 5w30 I think it was that was CH-4/CG-4/CI-4 rated (the good diesel ratings.) Not happy with it, noticed unusually high oil consumption. Switching back to the Mobil Delvac 1 next oil change...
PS - I've noticed a new quart-sized Mobil 1 5w40 oil advertised as a "Truck and SUV" oil... it's a mobil synthethic, got the same viscosity as delvac 1, and it's got all the good diesel rating (CI-4) just like delvac 1... so it seems like it could be just re-branded mobil delvac 1 to me! The only products actually labeled Mobil Delvac 1 are sold in gallon-size containers only and have different distribution channels than the rest of the oil, which seems to make it really hard to come by!
PPS - If you are interested in mitigating the cost of the synthetic oil by going to longer drain intervals, I have tried 10k mile drain intervals on mobil delvac 1 and had my oil analyzed at that mileage, and there were no problems. If you adopt the extended drain intervals remember it's recommended to change your filter twice per oil change.
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Jake Russell
1981 VW Rabbit "GTD" autocrosser - SCCA FSP class
1.6lTD, intercooled with modified fuel injection, custom stainless/aluminum exhaust system, front stress bars, coilovers & koni racing shocks, caster plates, lightweight racing wheels and tires
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gropar
Junior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 01:33 PM
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Delvac 1 hard to find : I buy mine at WalMart.
I hate this place and never I would find something ther and not somewhere else... but its the only place where I am shure to get Mobil Delvac 1.
Retails at 35 can$, around 22-25USD I guess.
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A2, 1.9td
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BlackTieTD
Senior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 02:05 PM
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good info. i always buy mobil 1 for the G60 at walmart, cheapest around. thanks i'll check it out
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chris-pl
Junior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 07:24 PM
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DeloŽ 400 Multigrade Heavy Duty Motor Oil 15W-40
http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/nafl/auto/content/motoroils.shtm#delooil filter KNECHT .
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QuickTD
Senior Hostboard Member
posted April 13, 2004 09:04 PM
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Petro Canada Duron synthetic is a decent oil. "TDI club approved" and gets good results in any oil analysis I've seen. Only $4.62CDN per litre in 4l jugs at your local petro-can bulk lubricant supplier. This is not a "real" PAO synthetic but a severe hydrocracked petroleum oil, in case that matters to you. I use it and find it provides easier winter cranking, aside from that I can't make any other real performance claims.
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