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Bought an ‘86 951 in October. It’s in the air following a clutch slave, and I thought might as well do an oil change while it’s up there. The car has 142k miles, and will be used mainly for just driving around with no track use in mind. So, what’s the best oil and filter to put in this car. And just to make double triple sure the oil capacity is 8 litres?.
I live in Toronto, ON, Canada, and I would humbly suggest that 20w50 is not the best oil for me to use all year round. The owner's manual suggests a range of different oils depending on average temperature.
For those of us that actually drive our cars regularly, I would recommend you follow the manual's suggestions based on climate. Personally, I use the German Liqui-Moly products as they are readily available where I live. Most oil companies have oil selectors on their website based on vehicle. Liqui-Moly recommends their MoS2 10w40 for the 951 and that's what I've currently got in it. In the summer, I switch to their 10w60 as it can get quite hot some days and that oil stays very thick regardless.
Our cars take 6.0 litres. Do not overfill! Check as you go with the dipstick (after starting then waiting to drain back of course).
A similar question was asked recently so instead of writing it up twice, I just snipped a picture of my response. Hopefully this answers your question!
A similar question was asked recently so instead of writing it up twice, I just snipped a picture of my response. Hopefully this answers your question!
Interesting, I wouldn’t expect fully synthetic I’d think that would just purge out all the leaks. When I was under the car I could see their were leaks (obviously) but it wasn’t pouring and no stains under the jacks after it ran for about 10 minutes. I’m not sure what’s in the car now, so is it worth using synthetic and risking the leaks or just stick with Dino. Peoples responses seem to be all over them map.
Interesting, I wouldn’t expect fully synthetic I’d think that would just purge out all the leaks. When I was under the car I could see their were leaks (obviously) but it wasn’t pouring and no stains under the jacks after it ran for about 10 minutes. I’m not sure what’s in the car now, so is it worth using synthetic and risking the leaks or just stick with Dino. Peoples responses seem to be all over them map.
You're absolutely right that people have responses all over the map. I hope you don't mind me giving my own opinion. I can't speak from an expert standpoint, simply from experience. The previous owner of my 924S used conventional oil. I've always liked synthetic, so I made the switch when I first got the car and have yet to see any oil leaks work their way out. The difference in conventional oil and synthetic oil is on the molecular level, there is no way for it to cause a leak that isn't already there. Project Farm (a Youtube channel that is well regarded for his non-sponsored tests), ran an experiment with a 45 year old diesel farm tractor, moving from conventional to synthetic. No new leaks appeared after 3 weeks of use. I would say go with what makes you comfortable between the two, but synthetic oil is typically the more stable, consistent choice.
Interesting, I wouldn’t expect fully synthetic I’d think that would just purge out all the leaks. When I was under the car I could see their were leaks (obviously) but it wasn’t pouring and no stains under the jacks after it ran for about 10 minutes. I’m not sure what’s in the car now, so is it worth using synthetic and risking the leaks or just stick with Dino. Peoples responses seem to be all over them map.
You're not going to get a consensus on this, just pick one that you think is appropriate based on the available information. Unless someone comes in with oil analysis on a large sample of 944 engines over a long time period, the debate will continue to rage on. There isn't a way to assess what oil is "better" at this point.
One word of advice, don't let concerns over oil leaks (that might or might not exist) influence your decisions on the health of the engine internals. Read up on the info that's out there (there's a bunch) and make a choice. There are way more factors that influence how your particular 30+ year old engine components will wear than just oil selection.
FWIW, I think the high ZDDP and shear strength of the oil is important for the 944. I use Valvoline VR1 20W-50 (non-synthetic).
I’ve owned my 88 turbo S for 29 years. Did some work on it last year, turbo has no play, changed the rod bearings which looked new, burns about 1/2 quart per 3,000 (at most). Engine runs as new, revs freely and still fast after all these years. I’ve used only Mobil 1 15-50 and Valvoline VR1 20-50 conventional. That’s my experience and can recommend either of those oils - they both have the ZDDP required for the flat tappets and work well in my climate which is pretty mild - driven in 35F to 90F, 3.5 bars when warm, 5 bar when started up.
I've been using this oil for the passed couple of years and think its a vast improvement over 20-50 dino
These are the comments about oil that make me scratch my head. I'm truly curious and not trying to be inflammatory, what "improvement" have you observed?
These are the comments about oil that make me scratch my head. I'm truly curious and not trying to be inflammatory, what "improvement" have you observed?
I don't know what improvement Jimbo1111 has noticed.. but when I got my car, it was burning a bit of oil, even with the infamous Valvoline VR1 20w-50. So, I bought this really thick LM 10w-60 and the Lord is my witness I don't need to add but maybe a litre between changes ever since. And now it's got three times the miles! In fact, even with the 10w-40 from LM I use in the winter, nothing changes. I also noticed better oil pressure. Those are two observables other than tearing an engine apart to look I guess
01-18-2021, 09:43 PM
Porsche 944 Turbo oil
