As mentioned on the front page, I was given some Castrol Edge Titanium 10w-30 and a Wix 51515 oil filter to evaluate and report on.
The filter is easy, I love Wix filters and that is all I usually run on my classic Mopar iron! I have cut them open multiple times after use, and always been impressed with the build quality and performance.
The oil is a bit different matter. I used to run RotellaT either 10w-30 or 20w-50 in my old Mopars for the added zinc protection, reserving the 20w-50 for the fair weather vehicles. Then I switched over to Mobile1 15w-50 as the zinc levels on diesel oils have dropped and the full synthetic allows me to cut my oil changes down to once a year on the vehicles that aren't driven as often.
The Mobil1 in the Fury is ready for a change, it is 15w-50 and is using a Mobile1 M1-301 filter, it was free with 6 quarts. I plan to cut the filter open, mostly for fun, but also curious how it compares to the Wix.
I am debating on whether I should run the Castrol 10w-30 in the Fury, or reserve it forl the Magnum in my 70 W200, which does see winter use. The bigger question is, how does the average Joe properly evaluate oil in his home garage? I know there are litmus tests that can be done to check acidity, but I have never found them at the local parts stores. I have heard of sending oil off to be evaluated, but never found any details.
This thread isn't so much to see what everyone's favorite oil is, but how can we try to determine if one oil is really doing anything better than another?
I know Mobile1 and Rotella have published there ZDDP levels, and I will see what I can dig up on the Castrol.
Joined: Wed May 05 2010, 08:24PM
Location: From another Galaxie
Posts: 175
I use Castrol all the time and have since early 90's. I've found that it actually looked dirtier coming out due to how much crap it cleaned from the engine. There's a few things you can compare about oil, being an average "Joe". You can compare oil consumption. Oil pressure(easier if you have guage). Oil starts to run at lower psi as it gets used, better oils hold it longer it seems. Operating temps- less friction=less heat Cranking amps or fuel mileage- another method of friction evaluation. Just some ideas.
Mobile One racing oil has enough ZDDP, but the other Mobile One varities don't. Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel oil also has sufficient quantities of the good stuff, as do specialty oils like Joe Gibbs and Brad Penn. Almost all of the other of the oils available at your corner auto parts store do not have what you need and will require a ZDDP supplement (this includes the new Castrol oil-it is made for roller cam engines).
Joined: Wed Oct 12 2005, 01:10AM
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2690
I buy the Walmart Super tech diesel oil, 15W40 in a 5 gallon pail. I then run a container of Comp Cams engine break-in additive. It has all the Zinc, and other high pressure and wear additives. Been doing this for a few years now after a buddy burned out his cam in his 383 with the same Valvoline he'd been using for years. <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Tue Apr 19 2011, 12:36PM ]</span>
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
NFURY8 wrote ... .... I know there are litmus tests that can be done to check acidity, but I have never found them at the local parts stores. I have heard of sending oil off to be evaluated, but never found any details...t
Do a google search for "used motor oil analysis" in your area. All commercial big truck and big bus shops get all their oil tested. I think the testing is a requirement of the engine makers to maintain engine warranties. No idea what it costs, probably fairly nominal for basic tests for particles, contaminates and additive levels.
Since were on the subject of oil quality/viscosity,,Last year I rebuilt the motor/trans in my 67 polara vert and used a 10w/30 with a bottle of zinc additive,,the issue I'm having is low oil preasure,,around 25 psi cold and drops to around 10-13 psi hot,,this motor doesent have the 500mi break in yet,,does the additive thin the oil that much,??? did the builder leave out a galley plug some where,??? He claimed he micked the crank/block//resized the rods,,I assembled it and didn't see or feel any issues as it was going together,,
Joined: Sat Apr 25 2009, 03:08AM
Location: Out West
Posts: 626
It takes a long time and many miles to truly evaluate motor oil. Best measure is to follow the specified grade and change interval guidelines for your situation and if the engine does not blow up from a lubrication issue it is good oil. That is the way it works (or not) for 99.9% of all car owner/operators. Always take note of new lubricants coming down the pipeline, because it obviously ain't 1970 any more.
As far as used oil analysis is concerned, you need to commit to following a regime of using the same oil and getting it tested at regular intervals for long enough to develop a trending pattern. It is of little use for the normal driver, more for fleet maintenance activities than anything else. I use it to establish change intervals on new vehicles the first couple years I own them and to make sure nothing is going obviously wrong with a used engine. After that it is somewhat superflous, apart from the curiosity/OCD factor.
I used Blackstone for many years but decided to switch to Polaris Labs a couple years ago.
NFURY8 wrote ... .... I know there are litmus tests that can be done to check acidity, but I have never found them at the local parts stores. I have heard of sending oil off to be evaluated, but never found any details...t
Do a google search for "used motor oil analysis" in your area. All commercial big truck and big bus shops get all their oil tested. I think the testing is a requirement of the engine makers to maintain engine warranties. No idea what it costs, probably fairly nominal for basic tests for particles, contaminates and additive levels.
Heavy equipment dealers like Cat and Deere do this. When we buy a new piece of equipment at work it comes with a hand pump to remove oil directly from the crankcase so it dosen't get contaminated. One time they found metal in the oil and called us and said shut her down immediately.
