Synthetic Oil

[aviatorjames]

What brand of synthetic oil?
I'm approaching the 1000 mile break-in on my GW engine.
...time to change from Dinosaur Juice to Synthetic...

GW doesn't specify brand, they just require synthetic 15/50.
Having never used synthetic before, I'm looking for some opinions.

Thanks!!
james
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...some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints...

[scottcollins72]

Amsoil is the only full synthetic that is actually approved by VW.

[K58]

[kevinbassplayer]

[Tram]

[Mad-Max]

i use pennzoil 10/40
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[aviatorjames]

Pennzoil 10/40? ..is that a synthetic?

I didn't put it my poll because they don't make the proper viscosity rating.
...at least not listed on the website.

Thanks everybody!!
I've been doing some reading about synthetics.
Now I think I know why GW doesn't favor any particular brand...
From what I have read, any synthetic oil (major brands) is going to provide reduced wear.

What's interesting is the differing views about break-in oils.
But I'm just following the GW warranty requirements!!
james
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...some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints...

[riceye]

Hey James,

I broke in my GW! 2.2 with 10w-30 for the first 100 miles, then changed to Castrol GTX dino 20w-50 for the next 1000 miles, and again for the next 2700 miles (Racine, WI to Bozeman, MT and back) and now I am running Castrol Syntec 5w-50. The dynamic oil pressure system chirped during the first 100 miles, but has not let out a peep since. I like the 5w-50 for the cold starts in Wisconsin, even though I don't let Olga see road salt.

Less than 1/2 quart oil consumption on the 2700 mile tour - average speed of 70 to 75 mph.

I use only Mahle OC-108 oil filters.

Gas mileage is now about 21 mpg, and she runs great.

Good luck with yours!
Cheers-
Ric
_________________
'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads

There's gonna be some changes made.

“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee

"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig

[RCB]

Whats the real advantage of a Faux dino when a real one is just as good.
Its recommended to change oil every 3000 miles.
Either oils wont break down during that 3000 mile period.
Im not so sure Syn burns cooler that Dino so whats the difference?
If you want your motor to run cooler why not use a higher octane gas?

[K58]

[riceye]

[Mad-Max]

i waited till i hit 3 000 miles but it took like 4 1/2 months
and my oil was black as johnny depps eye liner,
it was running crappy and was eating gas.
i'm not going to change my oil once a year
even if they say every 7, 500 miles
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[Monoscope]

According to my mechanic (Louis Foreign Auto), Synthetic isn't a good idea to run for long intervals in gas engines, they build up to much sludge to make a 10 or 20k oil change a good idea.
Though he said for diesels it's a great idea. His recommendation was just to use cheap Castrol or whatever and change it every 3000mi religiously

[tds3pete]

There's probably as many opinions on oil as there are members of Samba.

I've used Castrol organic GTX in every VW and Porsche for 37 years. I am always pleased how clean they are when torn down. Never a problem.

I agree that VW's recommendations are sometimes suspect. They say never to change manual transmission oil. But I have always changed it when I could sense shifting not up to par (usually 30-40k) and it clears things up.

I just changed it in my EVC at 112k, and found the previous owner has overfilled it with organic 90 Wt. I put in synthetic 75-90 (the factory recommendation) and it has gone from sticky shifting to like new.

Cheers, Pete
_________________
'58 Westy camper-come and gone
'73 Westy-bought new in Holland,now gone
'86 Syncro weekender-come and gone
'79 Westy...Oscar
'95 Eurovan Camper/5 spd...Marsha Mellow

[mr_vanagon]

To answer the question you ask about what brand of 15w50 synthetic oil to use, I'd check to see what you can find around you in 15w50. I know that Cast sytec and mobil1 can be had in that weight from walmart but I know nothing about other sources. Should probably just pick one you can find reliably and use that all the time.
_________________
'68 Autostick Bug Mom bought new
'89 Tintop Vanagon Dad bought new

[caleb]

what kind of oil filters do you guys use in your vanagons? I just got a bosch, is that good?

[mr_vanagon]

This is copied from a reply I made yesterday to another post asking essentially the same question. I hope my pasting it here doesn't annoy more than inform.

"As for oil filters, use a name brand filter with anti-drain back valve and you'll be fine. To tell if the filter has this feature look at the end of the filter in the small holes around the perimeter. Inside these holes you should see a rubber flap almost peeking out. This is the drain back "valve" that is used to prevent oil starvation at start up. This is often not needed but the orientation of the filter on vanagons makes it a must. No worries though, virtually all modern filter designs intended for vanagons have this today The fear about this issue is mostly a leftover from a time when this was not a standard feature. The same is true about phosphate free antifreeze. Modern antifreeze from all the major brands is phosphate free according to the help desk guy at Allied Signal. He’s the same guy I asked about oil filters. They make Prestone and Fram as well as a host of store brand filters and car chemicals."

If your Bosch filter has this feature (and it almost surely does) it is fine to use on a vanagon.
_________________
'68 Autostick Bug Mom bought new
'89 Tintop Vanagon Dad bought new

[caleb]

thanx, right after i posted that i found your other post and checked my new filter, its got the rubber lip so it should work. thanx for the info mr_vanagon

[RichBenn]

Mobil 1 or Amsoil if you can get it. Better mileage, longer engine life, increased change intervals(maybe) than dino oil. However, not too long (over ~ 7500?) as the oil filters don't keep filtering effectively for too long an interval. I used to work with large machinery -- oil analysis was the key -- increases in particles and other oil factors says it's time to change. Oil analysis cost more than an oil change, though, so we just all change it at the interval we feel comfortable with. However, so we probably all change oil more often than we need to.

Rich

[Tram]