Need opinions on engine oils

raptor · 03-07-2017, 09:16 PM

Hi,
Would you use either of this oil and why?

Thanks

Blackrock · 03-07-2017, 09:20 PM

Either one are good quality motor oil.

DavidBo · 03-07-2017, 09:35 PM

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!! IT'S AN OIL THREAD!!!!

All joking aside, nothing stirs up a forum more than oil/filter inquiries. My $.02 is to keep it simple. For regular driving, a decent API approved synthetic oil of the recommended weight paired with a quality filter (you're on your own for that, I like Purolator) replaced every 5000 miles will guarantee no oil-related issues for the life of the vehicle. Heavy duty driving, like frequent trailer towing, and I'd up the frequency to 3K miles. My experience is with gasoline engines, the oil-burner guys will have to chime in with any diesel advice.

raptor · 03-07-2017, 09:48 PM

I think my sprinter came with 5w30 full synthetic oil. I want to pick one brand and stick with it. I am using Full synthetic Mobil one from Costco for all my car and truck. Amazon has this Mobil 1 0w40 for $27 (6), but may be too thin as 0w40?

Otegoans · 03-07-2017, 09:50 PM

Shell (Rotella) and Valvoline are both excellent brands. I noticed the Shell jug has "heavy duty diesel" printed on it. Your best advice is from your owners manual, use the grade and weight oil recommended for your tow vehicle. Synthetic oils are more expensive than regular blends, and to me it's a matter of choice. I use a regular blend of oil and change it every 5000 miles. Again, trust the mfg. recommendations. Happy camping!!

raptor · 03-07-2017, 10:05 PM

What I'm looking for is sprinter owners said" I used this brand of oil and this oil filter". I don't want to re-inventing the wheel.

DavidBo · 03-07-2017, 10:13 PM

You all may have noticed that the recommended viscosity of motor oils has recently leaned toward lighter weights. There's a number of reasons for this, improved synthetic performance and better fuel economy due to the lower resistance of the thinner oil are part of it. The most important reason, however, is the tighter tolerances and smaller passages of modern engines require a lower viscosity oil to squeeze through. Older engines didn't have chain tensioners, HEUI injectors and variable cam timing actuators that have tiny oil passages and don't cotton to thick, dirty oil.
After growing up with 10W-40 as a standard it took me awhile to get used to 5W-20, or less, but the manufacturers know what they are doing so I got on board.

SailorSam20500 · 03-07-2017, 10:15 PM

This was an interesting read... Engine oil -- Conventional, synthetic or semi-synthetic blend? What's the correct engine oil for your customers' vehicles? - Automotive Service Professional

KatanaPilot · 03-07-2017, 10:23 PM

Do either of these oils meet the MB 229.51 or 229.52 spec? The Valvoline might but I don't think the Rotella does. You need to check the Bevo spec here - https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...229.51_en.html

If they don't meet the spec, don't use them. Otherwise they might not have the correct additive package and you risk damaging the emissions system.

JLeising · 03-07-2017, 10:25 PM

As this is a Mercedes Sprinter thread, I would need to make sure any oil meets the MB 229.51 or 229.52 spec (my Solera specifies 229.51, I think newer Sprinters specify 229.52). Don't want to give Mercedes any warranty excuse wrt that very complex and expensive exhaust system!

raptor · 03-07-2017, 10:31 PM

I got those two oils above from MB 229.52 spec. Just want to know do you use it in your sprinter?

Kenny kustom · 03-08-2017, 07:14 AM

Penzoil ultra euro.

KatanaPilot · 03-08-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptor

I got those two oils above from MB 229.52 spec. Just want to know do you use it in your sprinter?

Sure couldn't find any Rotella oils on either the 229.51 or .52 specs. They are usually for the heavy duty diesel market, but if it's on the list - go for it.

If you search previous threads, you will find that many use the MB approved Mobil 1 and they get it when on sale at NAPA. Personally, I use the 229.51 approved Amsoil.

Kenny, did you see the Gimli glider when it landed there?

Kenny kustom · 03-08-2017, 10:40 AM

I would have been 4...
but, I wasn't in gimli at that time!

High Desert · 03-08-2017, 05:55 PM

Going through the same dilemma here with my new purchase of the FR Sunseeker and Bluetec diesel. Owner's manual says use spec 229.51, and there are quite a few oils out there that can be used, but some are hard to find or outrageously priced ($12/qt for Mobil 1 ESP at NAPA, and not on sale with Mobil 1 sale). Then the 229.52 spec rolls out and I am trying to figure out if I need to chase that when the manual says 229.51?? The new spec is a lower SPash spec, so is better to use, I assume. Obviously less of the new spec available than the old.

High Desert · 03-08-2017, 06:34 PM

Just to ease my mind, I called the Freightliner folks in Portland, Or. and asked them about the two specs and which oil to use in a 2017 Sprinter engine. No hesitation - said all they use is Mobil 1, ESP 0W-30, which meets the 229.52 standard. Just bit the bullet and ordered some. Sure makes life difficult having o sort through all this. BTW, here is MB approved list of oils for the 229.52 spec: https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...229.52_en.html

SidecarFlip · 03-08-2017, 06:58 PM

This is developing into a 2 bag (microwave popcorn, double butter) already.

I buy oil on what the API rating and weight is, brand not with standing. Of the 2 in the OP's picture, whichever is cheaper.

wahoonc · 03-08-2017, 07:06 PM

I run Rotella in EVERYTHING around here... we buy in in 55 gallon drums

We have one Sprinter van on site, it is an older one. Use what ever meets the current spec and stick with it. Filters are all Napa Gold.

Aaron

KatanaPilot · 03-08-2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

This is developing into a 2 bag (microwave popcorn, double butter) already.

I buy oil on what the API rating and weight is, brand not with standing. Of the 2 in the OP's picture, whichever is cheaper.

One can only assume that your Sprinter chassis motorhome is long out of emissions warranty or you might feel differently.

Or possibly you don't even drive a Sprinter based motorhome and are just offering your "expert" opinion because it's a diesel.

The facts are that most diesel oils (regardless of viscosity rating) are too high in certain additives and may damage the very sophisticated (read expensive to repair) emissions system on the MB 3.0 liter turbodiesel. So while higher levels of phosphorous and sulfur can be beneficial in reducing wear and improving cleanliness of the engine, they are not good for the emissions system. MB spec 229.51 (and I assume 229.52) is/are a low-SAPS specification.

So to the OP - use only MB 229.51 or 229.52 oils. Yes, they are more expensive, but price out an emissions system overhaul/replacement and I think you will see the benefit of using the proper oils.

Radio · 03-08-2017, 07:42 PM

A mechanic friend gave me some advise I thought pretty good:

For lubricants, filters and plugs (if you have them) use what the factory put in there when it was built. Think about it: Those engineers could have had what ever they wanted. So use what they used.

So for my F-150 it's Motorcraft oil and filters. Cheap at Walmart. 160,000 miles with no issues. (OK so it's not a Sprinter diesel but you get the point...)

Do you know what the factory put in there? Use that.

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