I just recently bought a case of 15W-50 Mobil 1 oil. I live in CA and Alex recommended this over the 0W-50 the dealers use.

The last time I bought the same grade oil it had a red cap and on the front label it read "Performance Driving Formula" and was 15W-50.

This time the same grade oil come with a gold cap and say "Extended Performance". Did they change the packaging label. I looked at the Web site and they recommend this for the Twin Turbo. I just wanted hear from the folks on this board who's opinion are most appreciated.

Is this one in the same oil?

 

The extended performance Mobil 1 is improved. However 15w50 it in no longer recommended by Porsche. They recommend any ACEA A3 rated synthetic oil in 0w40 or 5w40. The website recommendation is out of date.

 

No oil of any type with a weight over 5/40 is allowed. DO NOT use a 15 anything with the 996. The valve system relies on the oil as a hydraulic fluid as well as a lubricant. I would post the approved oils but the list is to long.

 

Stephen,

I believed all I ever used after breakin was Sweepco 15-40. What was I suppose to have noticed that was wrong when I broke down the motor?

 

Based on the mileage you would have noticed failed tappets or failed cam adjusters. I had one motor that had used the wrong weight and both were bad. Most of the motor I am seeing an issue if there is one is around the 30K mark.

 

Are the parts failing on the friction (contact) surfaces or in the variable lift mechanism? By cam adjuster do you mean the variable timing sprocket?

 

They are failing in the variable lift mechanism. Yes, the adjuster is part of the failed units I have seen.

 

Castrol Syntec 5-50 is OK right?

 

The red top is now gone.

I use 15W-50 in my Boxstir so if you do not want it for your turbo....

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ce_15W-50.aspx

 

The latest approved oils do not want a 50 weight. Let me see if I can post the approved list somewhere.

 

You want to run as thin an oil as your manufacturer
recommends for your temperature zone. It's just like
your blood pressure. Higher pressure just means
the system is having to work harder and the oil is
providing more resistence to flowing where you
want it to go. Valve-train and other small stuff
higher in the motor (not submerged in oil) live or
die on whether they get oil flow quickly on startup.
The thinner the oil the faster it gets there and the
faster it gets into the smaller places. The only danger
of thin oil is that the film thickness is less, so if you
have a loose motor with large tolerances, a thick oil
provides more cushion for vibration impacts.
Thicker oil can overtax the filter, making most of the
oil flow merrily past the filter, through the pressure
relief valve. Lastly, all oil breaks down primarily due
to heat. Thicker oil produces more heat from internal
friction (viscosity).
Thick oil is like getting a Sumo wrestler when you need
an athlete. More is not always better.
Joe

 

Mine were absolutely great and I had 30k on it. Well other than bent rods... Kevin uses it.. and in fact we put it in my car for the European Car shoot out...

 

Run the 15W-50 if you want longevity in your engine. Using 0W-40 is wrong in hotter climates, and like Mercedes, I suspect that Porsche will find soon be changing to a higher viscosity in their engines.

You CANNOT maintain the necessary shear viscosity in the Porsche engine with 0W-40 that is necessary to properly protect the engine in the long term. a 40 weight oil in 90 degree weather is about as good as a 30 weight. That is why many manufacturers are moving their oil up a notch.

 

Not in a 996 he doesn't. We do in all the other cars but not the 996. I have built many TT motors and can show you the issues with the valve train. Others in the industry that open these up also have confirmed the same findings. I personally run a 5/40.

 

I live in South Florida, exactly which Mobile 1 sould I use? thanks. Does anyone now what Champion Porsche uses on its Turbo Oil changes?