Oh no! Another oil thread.. Blackstone UOA for Mobil 1 0W40 v. Castrol Edge SPT 5W40
10-23-2013, 03:38 PM
#1
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Oh no! Another oil thread.. Blackstone UOA for Mobil 1 0W40 v. Castrol Edge SPT 5W40
Attached are the Blackstone lab UOA test results of Mobil 1 (0W40) (third column of report, sample date 1/13) v. Castrol Edge (5W40) (1st column of report, sample date 10/13) on my 2004 Porsche 40th Anniversary Edition. I change the oil myself and do so frequently, cut open the filter and have yet to find issues.
The Mobil 1 0W40 is in the third column, tested on January 31, 2013, and was used under winter driving conditions with colder temperatures, and Castrol was in warmer temps reaching up to 115 this summer in the Inland Empire (although very low miles put on during that time frame, with most miles happening with much more modest temperatures on the drive between Colorado and California). Mostly highway driving, 75 MPH speeds.
Let the debate begin.
The Mobil 1 0W40 is in the third column, tested on January 31, 2013, and was used under winter driving conditions with colder temperatures, and Castrol was in warmer temps reaching up to 115 this summer in the Inland Empire (although very low miles put on during that time frame, with most miles happening with much more modest temperatures on the drive between Colorado and California). Mostly highway driving, 75 MPH speeds.
Let the debate begin.
Last edited by sds911; 10-23-2013 at 05:39 PM.
10-23-2013, 03:47 PM
#2
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That's one report. Whippy dip. Doesn't mean much. Keep doing them and then you'll know more.
10-23-2013, 03:55 PM
#3
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Actually its two reports. And I'm posting DATA for Rennlist users. If you don't think it is relevant then simply ignore the post. If everyone submitted a few reports to Blackstone the discussion might focus on DATA rather than hype, marketing, and voodoo.
I have background and training in multi-variate statistics, and while you are correct that two data points don't make a generalizable sample, 20 to 30 such "tests" would make enough data to draw some conclusions. These results are interesting from my perspective and raise the following questions:
1. Why are the Moly, Boron and Zinc numbers lower in the Castrol sample, compared to Mobil 1?
2. A number of people recommend the 5W40 over 0W40, yet viscosity in both samples are comparable after 3800 miles or so (at highway engine operating speeds). Maybe differences would appear on longer Oil Change Intervals?
In any case, I challenge you and others to do a similar two reports on Mobil 1 (0W40) and Castrol (5W40), so we can run some statistics.
I have background and training in multi-variate statistics, and while you are correct that two data points don't make a generalizable sample, 20 to 30 such "tests" would make enough data to draw some conclusions. These results are interesting from my perspective and raise the following questions:
1. Why are the Moly, Boron and Zinc numbers lower in the Castrol sample, compared to Mobil 1?
2. A number of people recommend the 5W40 over 0W40, yet viscosity in both samples are comparable after 3800 miles or so (at highway engine operating speeds). Maybe differences would appear on longer Oil Change Intervals?
In any case, I challenge you and others to do a similar two reports on Mobil 1 (0W40) and Castrol (5W40), so we can run some statistics.
10-23-2013, 04:12 PM
#4
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Let's see, Mobil 1 is; molyb-90, Castrol-5, boron 197-42, and slightly higher in calcium, phosphorous, and zinc. So, can you explain what that means good or bad?
10-23-2013, 04:24 PM
#6
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I would have expected more similar numbers on the Moly, Boron and Zinc between both oils. It is my understanding that these are the "protective" additives to the synthetic oil to help reduce engine wear. TBN also is higher in the Mobil 1 sample. So, despite my "impressions" from reading about the oil debate on this site, I'd have to say Mobil 1 faired better than I expected against Castrol 5W40. I'll keep doing the tests, and hope others will do a few too so we can have an adequate sample.
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10-23-2013, 04:37 PM
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Regardless, you have nothing. You have 2 UOA's. Whippy dip. On top of that you changed oil brands in the process. The old Mobil is contaminating the Castrol report.
Like I said, keep doing them, and after a few reports you'll know more. But if you change oils every report you'll be getting less factual information due to cross contamination.
Last edited by LexVan; 10-23-2013 at 06:02 PM. Reason: spelling for "contamination".
10-23-2013, 04:38 PM
#12
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Wow, really snarky comments. Good going guys. I'm sure this will encourage others to post relevant information on this site. At 3500 mile oil changes (not including a "flush" that would prevent contamination of the comparison test), that would take me about 70,000 miles to run 20 more tests. Hmm, I guess I'll just wait 7 years to post any more reports.
Last edited by sds911; 10-23-2013 at 05:16 PM.
10-23-2013, 04:43 PM
#13
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Actually, Frances -- the mobil 1 was fully flushed out by a prior oil change of Castrol 5W40 which was not tested, and my original post was both reports, but only one showed up.
Also, Frances -- this preliminary test indicates to me that it doesn't really matter whether I use Mobil 1 (0W40) or Castrol Edge (5W40) as they both appear to be fine in my engine, for my driving conditions, and for my relatively short oil change intervals. Again, based on reading all the "hype" about oils, formulation changes to Mobil 1, etc. etc. I am pleased with the results and would continue to use either oil.
Also, Frances -- this preliminary test indicates to me that it doesn't really matter whether I use Mobil 1 (0W40) or Castrol Edge (5W40) as they both appear to be fine in my engine, for my driving conditions, and for my relatively short oil change intervals. Again, based on reading all the "hype" about oils, formulation changes to Mobil 1, etc. etc. I am pleased with the results and would continue to use either oil.
Last edited by sds911; 10-23-2013 at 05:34 PM.
