Just got off the phone with a local Porsche shop who has experience rebuilding engines and specializes in racing Porsches.

He said that Mobil 1 reformulated their synthetics a few years ago and there has been a rise in engine damage and/or camshaft problems.

Can anyone confirm this?

A number of you guys track cars and run them pretty hard, but engine damage from Mobil 1? He said he likes to use an approved oil that meets the recommended viscosity for European standards and the brand is called "Total."

 

I'm not sure about Mobil 1 damaging motors, but Total is good stufff...

 

Well I would love to know where the supporting data comes from, if any exists. If the majority of Porsche engines are using Mobile 1 and a decrease in reliability is observed is the oil at fault?

How does anyone quantify the difference between manufacturer defect, owner negligence (abuse), or a decrease in engine oil quality when diagnosing the root cause of an engine failure?

 

Crock of sh*t! So Porsche recommends Mobil 1 as it's oil for every vehicle in the range. So if Mobil 1 damages engines, who has to pick up the cost of the warranty repairs? Right. Porsche. So why would Porsche recommend an oil that is going to cost them money?

My recommendation: don't use that repair shop. What other inane suggestions do they have for you? Have they suggested chicken bones under the driver's seat yet?

 

As others have said - total BS. There are other Porsche approved engine oils to use - I think his recommendation is Motul not Total...but still BS that Mobil 1 is causing engine damage.

 

I'm not buying it either.

Engine oil is not voodoo. Its engine oil. The technology of making synthetic oil is very, very old. Porsche has ways of testing engines and oil very well.

To think that a big company like Exxon-Mobil would make such a technical blunder, and it would get past the Porsche engineers and testers... those odds are astronomically small.

As was stated, getting the cause and effect right is key.

Just because a bunch of engines may have failed, that happen to have the factory brand of oil in them, doesn't mean anything by itself. You need to understand why the engines failed, and I'm pretty confident that it is not because of the brand of oil.


Such claims fall into the category of claims that fuel and oil additives add significant improvements to engine efficiency.

 

Straight from the Q&A site of Mobil 1: Take it for what it is worth. I still run M1 in my daily drivers, but run oil with ZDDP's in the track car.

Also, GM makes a small bottle of ZDDP additive that you can add to your engine during oil changes.

Question: Has Zinc Been Removed from Motor Oils?I am having thrust bearing failure in a 4.6 modified performance engine. This is a street/strip engine. Many of my friends are having the same problem. I think it is the result of the removal of zinc from the oil. I was told by two separate racing engine builders that the EPA ordered the removal of the zinc from over-the-counter motor oil. I use Mobil 1 5W-20. Is this true and do you think a zinc additive might help?-- Randy Lovejoy, Americas, GA


Answer: The active ingredient that you are talking about is phosphorus which is added thru a component called ZDDP. For products that meet the new ILSAC GF-4 specification the phosphorus levels for the oil must be less than 800 ppm phosphorus. The ILSAC level for phosphorus has been reduced to protect the catalytic converter and other emission protection equipment. The engine manufacturers are confident that this level of phosphorus will protect both new and older engines. However, there are Mobil 1 products which have a higher level of phosphorus (phos) and can be used in engines in racing or high performance applications; see the attached table.

 

Real nice Doc. Forgot to mention we did talk about the removal of zinc and the emissions standards. That is pretty good information, but more interesting regarding levels of phosphorus. Obviously zinc and phosphorus are not the same mineral, and some people may be confused. But the principle of "removal" of a mineral which may cause engine issues due to reformulation is the concern.

Appears far-fetched to group engine issues with a brand of oil, but seems people are stepping forward with data like the new ILSAC GF-4 specifications indicating "engine issues" may be linked to oil reformulations. Maybe the local shop may be onto something by recommending "Total."

http://www.lubricants.total.com/lub/...7?OpenDocument

 

This is right. Mobil0W40 is still fine. Other makes use 5W30 and that is one of the reformulated oils and offers less protection.

 

Total is suppose to be really good oil, and I believe Elf oil is made by the same company. I have a bunch of friends who have switched to the Motul oil, and appears to be really good oil (though expensive), and will sustain a higher temp on the track without breaking down.

 

I can see it now. Masses of Porsche owners calling their shops to schedule oil changes to 0w40 tomorrow LOL.

 

The recent oil specification of SM for gasoline engines,CJ-4 for diesel, calls for a significant reduction of zinc and phosphorus in approved oils, which IIRC is below 0.08% to prolong the lives of catalytic converters. Previous when Porsche approved the Mobil 1 oils, the Zn and P levels was at or above the 0.12%. These oils were at the previous ratings of SG, SH, SJ. Zn and P are essential for the life of flat 6 Porsche motor, especially where high load areas exist. There have been a lot of cam and lifter failures in the early air cooled motors in the last couple of years as a result of the reduced ZDDP formulas, including from the use of the current Mobil 1 SM rated automotive formulas of 15w50, 0w40, etc. Therefore the current Mobil 1 automobile formulas are one of the worst oils you can use for your motor. It will be much better to use the motorcycle formulations of Mobil 1, such as MX4T 10w40 (and perhaps mix with some 0w40 to net 5w40) which will give you the minimum ZDDP of the old Mobil 1, or use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-50 for the air cooled motors, of which the formula is like the previous SG,SH formula. See here for long detailed discussions about the changes in oil formulations for Porsche motors:
http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

For your watercooled motor, if you want the best no expense oil, go with Motul 300V Power 5W40. It's only a couple of dollars more per quart than the above Mobil1 oils. A 100% competition double esther formula with ideal levels of Zn and P, with a more moderate Ca detergent package. Excess Ca used for detergency and long oil change intervals, accelerates engine wear. Ca/Mg or Ca/Mg/Na detergents are much gentler on motor wear. SG rated, the high temp high shear (HTHS) specification is also one of the highest for the 5w40 weight. See:
http://www.lnengineering.com/store/c...arts-p-60.html

 

I do find it difficult to attach to the theory that Mobil 1 damages engines but maybe that needs additional explanation.

It is possible that a reformulation could cause issues with seals and bearings, but I do not have an answer for that.

I can, however, say from personal experience that Redline motor oils are absolutely incredible. There is a defined difference in Redline from what Ferrari specifies from Shell.

There is an erormous difference in the transmission oils as well.

So you have to be suspect as to why a manufacturer recommends an oil maker. There is always a financial reason for thier benefit.

Try Redline oils and see what you experience!

 

+1 on this.. Motul 5w40.. The same oil we run in our Flat Motor Subies.. I will be using this in my Gt3 as well.. The last thing to skimp on with your porsche is Oil or fuels.. You wouldnt pump 87 so why use inferior oils to save a few $$$ each oil change..

 

who sells Motul 5w40 oil in Los Angeles . I live in Burbank /California.Thanks in advance.