RL911

Can someone please tell me the proper oil to use for my 86 911 located in the Northeast. One of the receipts I have shows 5w30 was used, but searching these boards, many seem to be using 5w50. I won't be using synthetic as I can't confirm the type of oil used in previous changes other than the last one done by previou seller, which wasn't synthetic.

Owner's manual doesn't give specifics on this.

Thanks

ricster

Hi,
You can use synthetics if you want to make the switch...I did and never had an issue 20 years later. If you are going to use a petroluem based oil I would use Brad Penn which is the former Kendall green oil used back in the 80's and early 90's. They bought the rights. 15W-50 is all I run FYI

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

5w30 & 5w-50 oils are too thin for these air-cooled engines, given their tolerances.

You should be using a 15w-40, 15w-50 or a 20w-50: dino or synthetic.

You cannot go wrong with Brad-Penn or Swepco dino oils,........

RL911

thanks, ordered some 20w-50 Brad Penn

slfan

Hello,

Can somebody tell me if Is there any problem or issue in using Castrol GTX 20-50W on a 1987 911 Carrera? I am oversees and my oil choices are pretty limited to Mobil, Shell, Texaco, Lubrax and Castrol.

Thank you,
SLFan

slfan

Hello,

Can somebody tell me if Is there any problem or issue in using Castrol GTX 20-50W (mineral) on a 1987 911 Carrera? I am oversees and my oil choices are pretty limited to Mobil, Shell, Texaco, Lubrax and Castrol.

Thank you,
SLFan

Daniel Dudley

The only Castrol oil I have heard is OK is Castrol High Mileage oil, 20/50. I think Charles Navarro says it is OK due to the ZDDP content, but I believe that many on this board consider Castrol to be a poor choice because it varnishes the engine components. I believe that some were using Shell Rotella 15/50 diesel oil in their cars. General Motors also has a break in additive with the ZDDP in it, but you need to add over one full container of the stuff for a proper ratio in a 911. Mobil 1 15/50 high performance is also supposed to be borderline adequate, but 15/50 extended use oil does not.

If you can get the High Mileage Castrol, change it often, at least every 3000 miles.

There are tons of threads on this. Prehaps someone will come up with a link, or you might try a search using the words oil and ZDDP Good luck.

Daniel Dudley

Oh yea. SM/SL is on the good Mobil The poor stuff is just SM rated. And remember, I am just an idiot when it comes to 911s. I just happen to be the only one responding to your post.

Pete or Steve will chime in if it is glaringly wrong.

slfan

Daniel,

I already sent a PM to you but want to thank you for taking the time to answer my post and educate me a bit on 911 oils. I greatly appreciate it!

Best regards,
AM

HarryD

If you enjoy a VERY long read, you will find this thread extremely informative.

Daniel Dudley

Thanks Harry. That's the ticket.

whalebird

Stay away from Castrol. Valvoline racing 20/50 mineral is a good choice of non-synthetic.

RL911

Since my OP, I've spoken to several guys in my local PCA. Some use Rotella from Walmart, $11 for 5 qts. Others will use Castrol, none have any complaints and all are long time p-car owners.

ron mcatee

I use Valvoline 20w50 racing oil. It still has the higher contents of ZDDP.

theiceman

there are lots of threads to read .. go search , read till your hearts content and then go choose one ..
I think ,most of us are pretty well oiled - out by now ..

PS i run Brad Pen 20/50 in the summer and there 15/40 in the spring fall.
When I run out of BP I put in valvoline racing . i really don't think it much matters if you are replacing it regularly as long as you are using a ZDDP oil