going to use Castrol 5w50

[Russell]

Seems llike a great synthetic oil for year round use. Not sure that Mobil 1 0w40 is the best oil with my m50 engine with hydralyic lifters. I think slightly heavier oil would be better. The 0-5 part is better for cold start pump up as it will eliminate/reduce a rattle you get with heavier 20 weight oil on the M50 engine.

Just my experience to date

[liquidtiger720]

I've been using it since ~ December. :)

someday, I need to get a oil analysis done.



I still get a lot of rattle on cold start ups....but it goes away within a 5-10 seconds.

[Rob]

I'm using Shell oil. 20w50 is this okay? I get the rattel on a cold start up, however it seems to go away after a while.

[Russell]

Mine used to have the same rattle. However, after two engine cleaning/rinse steps with Auto-rx, it seems to have minimized this winter even with 10w40 conventional oil. Hope it does not start again with the 5w50.

[Rob]

Isn't 5w way too low?

[Russell]

Depends on climate. In a very hot climate 5 weight may be to low. However, her in my area in the US it very seldom gets over 90 F and in winter very seldom gets down to 0 F. Also it is my understanding (not sure) that synthetics allow a wider viscosity range. Also the lower number refers to viscosity at a cold start up, when warmed up the oil is a 50 weight.

Not sure this is a good answer. You may want to search one of the oil fourms such as bobistheoilguy. also keep in mind that one of the more popular oils for our cars in the US is Mobil 1 0w40 oil.

[Paul in NZ]

synthetics oils cannot be judged by dino standards,eg 5w30 sythetic allows faster pumping at cold start up AND superior protection ay higher temps even with lower "higher" viscosity numbers

[Rob]

Well here in South Africa it can get very hot. On most days we see temps of around 27c to 31c. The oil I put in my car along with a new oil filter was Helex Super 20W 50. Does that sound okay to you guys?

I did notice a big difference with a new oil change. She felt lighter on the accelerator and easier though the gears. :) But she does sound a little rattey on idle when I first start her up. Should I be worried?

[ryan roopnarine]

did you try the german castrol 0w30 in it after the mobil 1? 10f-90f sounds like it would be just up that oil's alley.

[Russell]

No, I did not try the GC 0w30 for two reasons. The real green German Castrol is very hard to find. As far as I know, it is sold only hit or miss by Auto-Zone and I am a bit leary of a 30 weight oil in an older BMW engine. Still a strong consideration. Thanks

[JMI]

... I am a bit leary of a 30 weight oil in an older BMW engine. Still a strong consideration. Thanks

What is the problem with a multi-grade 30 weight? I'm thinking of trying the Crastrol 10w-30 synthetic/dino blend in my 1989 M30 engine.

TIA

[Russell]

Should be fine. I just tend to believe in heavier weight oils, especially for older engines.

[zmuff]

I've been running Mobil 1 0W40 for a couple of years now and all seems to be fine. I just sent off an oil sample to Blackstone Labs for an analysis. The oil was almost 1 year old with about 5100 miles on it and a filter change every 1500 miles or so. I'm real curious as to what they will say. I'll post the results when they come in.

[Russell]

I am now finishing the second of two treatments of Auto-rx engine cleaner to see if I can remove residual lead and iron if any. This involved 4 oil/filer changes of 2,500 miles each with conventional Pennzoil 10w40 oil.



Ran a Blackstone Lab oil analysis on my last two 1995 BMW 525i oil changes. Both changes with Mobil 1 0W-40 Synthetic oil.
Miles on car at changes: 104,228, 108,206
Miles on this oil: 3,635, 3,978 no filter changes between changes. Used Mann/Mahle filters
No make up oil added either oil change.

I am very concerned over the metals, especially iron and lead. This is why I quit using Mobil 1 0w40 and decided to use heavier oil. Had a small fuel dilution problem with change one. Does not seem to be an issue on UOA 2. Mobil 1 0w40 is known to drop viscosity. Many think it is actually a 30 weight.

Test results
Blackstone gave me no comments on what is going on? Car runs fine.

Change one change two
3,635 miles, 3,978 miles
TBN =6.3 TBN =5.0
Aluminum 3 3
Chromium 1 1
Iron 9 23
Copper 3 5
Lead 23 40
Tin 0 2
Molybdenum 58 68
Nickel 0 0
Manganese 0 0
Silver 0 0
Titanium 0 0
Potassium 0 0
Boron 127 149
Silicon 2 3
Sodium 4 4
Calcium 2663 2587
Magnesium 12 16
Phosphorus 622 799
Zinc 670 900
Barium 0 0

Viscosity 69.5 66.5
Flash point 355 365
Fuel 1.0% 0.5%
Antifreeze 0 0
Water 0 0
Insolubles 0.3 .4



I've been running Mobil 1 0W40 for a couple of years now and all seems to be fine. I just sent off an oil sample to Blackstone Labs for an analysis. The oil was almost 1 year old with about 5100 miles on it and a filter change every 1500 miles or so. I'm real curious as to what they will say. I'll post the results when they come in.

[JMI]

I've been running Mobil 1 0W40 for a couple of years now ...

Are those the original seals in the engine?

TIA

[Paul in NZ]

i run castrol 5w 30 synthetic(i beleive the "german" one and i am told this is what the dealer would put in my M30

[rob101]

russell thanks for all those number, it'd be nice to know whether they are Parts per million or what for the metals? molydenum seems a bit high i assume all the other seriously high readings are from Additives in the oil. iron jumped a bit, thats a bit of a worry!

[Russell]

Sorry about that. They are PPM. Check this link to Blaackstone labs for at bit of explaination. Yes the iron and lead are my main concerns.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gasoline_diesel_report_expl.html

[zmuff]

Are those the original seals in the engine?

All the seals are original except for the rear main seal which was replaced during the clutch change. It wasn't leaking, but I was in the neighborhood. The only leak that has cropped up was the crank position sensor bracket bolt, but it's been fixed.

I did put in Amsoil 5W40 at this oil change. Don't know too much about these guys but they seem pretty popular and I got a good deal on the oil.

[rob101]

Sorry about that. They are PPM. Check this link to Blaackstone labs for at bit of explaination. Yes the iron and lead are my main concerns.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gasoline_diesel_report_expl.html
yes, lol funny thing about oil samples they only tell you once something is stuffed, so i mean short of pulling your engine down there isn't alot you can do about the bearings that may be causing those traces. perhaps make sure your oil pressures are okay as the bearings might be wearing in the valvetrain.

[zmuff]

Just got my oil sample results from Blackstone. Turns out to be very simlar to Russell's:

M30B35 with 172334 miles on engine, 5142 miles on the oil.
Aluminum

[zmuff]

Just got my oil sample results from Blackstone. Turns out to be very simlar to Russell's:

M30B35 with 172334 miles on engine, 5142 miles on the oil.
Aluminum 8
Chromium 4

[zmuff]

&$#^& enter key!!!!! Okay, try again.

Just got my oil sample results from Blackstone. Turns out to be very simlar to Russell's:

M30B35 with 172334 miles on engine, 5142 miles on the oil.
Aluminum 8
Chromium 4
Iron 21
Copper 7
Lead 24
Tin 2
Molybdenum 60
Nickel 0
Manganese 0
Silver 0
Titanium 0
Potassium 1
Boron 106
Silicon 7
Sodium 17
Calcium 2385
Magnesium 28
Phosphorus 756
Zinc 929
Barium 0

Viscosity 65.8
Flashpoint 395
Fuel <.5
Antifreeze 0.0
Water-Trace amount
Insolubles 0.5

They can't give me a good answer on the high chrome, iron, and lead readings until the next sample for comparison. Trace water was not a concern, no antifreeze or fuel found. So I guess overall, things are holding up well. I'll do another one in a few thousand miles.