Engine oil for 97 850 T5

msolomon · Post by **msolomon** » 18 May 2009, 20:59

What Engine oil do you think would be good for 97 850 T5 168.000 miles? My Mechanic told me that The 97 850 T5 doesn't have a filter when changing the Transmission oil. Is that true?
Thanks

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 May 2009, 22:23

True, there is no transmission filter- check out the transmission flush method in the repair database- if you look for the "new improved" method it has pictures and a good how-to write up.
If your engine has no oil leaks, I would put Mobil-1 synthetic oil in yours...it has a turbo, so you want to keep it from coking on your turbo as it cools from the hot state- the synthetic oil does a much better job of this. I use 10W30 in the summer months and 5W30 in the winter.

Post by **eroosa** » 19 May 2009, 09:20

I am not one to counter any advice from made in japan. He is great and has helped me tremendously, but I do have a different opinion on the oil question.
If it has high mileage and has ONLY had conventional oil in it I WOULD NOT use synthetic. My car is a 1993 850 and the first winter I owned it I figured full synthetic would be good. The car had about 140Kmiles on it and had only had conventional oil in it before that. After exactly 1000 miles on the synthetic I was driving and smelled the oil burn smell on the engine. I was afraid of this happening, pulled into an instant oil change and had them do a change with conventional. It was too late and to this day my car leaks oil. I bought the car from my father in law and I know for a fact that it did not leak a drop of oil prior to using the synthetic.
My take is that if it has high miles with conventional oil in it, you will "clean" the system out with sythetic and you will have leaks.
* I used mobil synthetic when I did this also.

Like I said MIJ is a great mechanic and moderator here so I am not contradicting his advice, just giving you my opinion. I have the spots on the driveway and the "wet" engine to show the results of my synthetic mistake.

Ed

Post by **JDS60R** » 19 May 2009, 12:04

The oil issue Eroosa is relating is either sludge removal related or oil viscosity related.

Sythetic oil has changed quite a bit from the early 90's. Mobil one was one of the best. Synthetics were also very thin bodied and some did experience seepage.

A few years back the seepage issue was resolved and you will not see that issue any longer. You will get seepage is the sludge on your seals was the only thing holding the oil in (bad seals.

Mobil Once now produces a much lower quality oil and starts from a lower quality base stock. Please investigate the recent tests on Mobil 1's abilty to lubricate. It is still far better than conventional but is not among the top sythetics avaialbe.
Castrols recent promotion of the Castrol edge product providing eight times better wear protection than Mobile Ones 5W-30 is actually well supported. I hate to say it but Mobil one is riding on their name currently.

This doesn't mean that they will not correct the issue soon but until proven I would stick with something that I know will provide top level wear protection.

I would suggest Castrol full synthetic. I use it for my customers that do not use a specialty brand like Amsoil etc.

We see no issues on high mileage car changeovers unless the car had medium to heavy sludge before.

A proper top quality sythetic will protect your seals and motor giving you a long happy life. Unfortuatley to reap the max benefit you need to switch over to sythetic as soon as possible after the break in period.

Try an oil change with Castrol Syntec and let us know how it worked for you.

Post by **tjts1** » 19 May 2009, 12:15

I switched our 850 to synthetic at 175k miles. 17k miles later and no problems. I use Shell Rotella synthetic 5w40 every 5k miles. Whatever oil you choose, make sure it has a diesel rating and not API 'energy conserving' label. They don't screw around too much with these oils.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 19 May 2009, 19:04

i am also a synthetic beliver i am behind mij's advice, i personally use castrol synthec which is the motor oil that volvo puts in their cars i was told by the dealer... bmw also uses castrol...

synthetic is a plus especialy in winter when temperatures go extremly low in some areas....

i have been using castrol synthec with the mann filters on a high mileage engine and so far no complaints al i can say it worked for me. i can refer to the volvos owner manual they say ''Synthetic oils complying with oil quality requirements are recommended for: Driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes (hot or cold ) ''

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 0_9_1.html

cheers !

nolyaw · Post by **nolyaw** » 19 May 2009, 19:16

JDS^)R is 100% right ii\n his post; could'nt have said it any better. Whacked the nail right on the head! Plus Mobil 1 does make a full synthetic for 'higher mileage' cars.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 19 May 2009, 20:11

JDS60R wrote: Mobil Once now produces a much lower quality oil and starts from a lower quality base stock. Please investigate the recent tests on Mobil 1's abilty to lubricate. It is still far better than conventional but is not among the top sythetics avaialbe.
Castrols recent promotion of the Castrol edge product providing eight times better wear protection than Mobile Ones 5W-30 is actually well supported. I hate to say it but Mobil one is riding on their name currently.

This doesn't mean that they will not correct the issue soon but until proven I would stick with something that I know will provide top level wear protection.

I would suggest Castrol full synthetic. I use it for my customers that do not use a specialty brand like Amsoil etc.

. . .

Try an oil change with Castrol Syntec and let us know how it worked for you.

I beg to differ. Mobil 1 used to be made from a higher quality base stock, but Castrol advertised their Syntec as full synthetic when it was made from a lower quality base stock and sold at a lower price point. Then Mobil changed their formula.

Castrol Edge MAY be a better oil, but Castrol won't say what it's made from. They may have just put a better additive package in their lower quality oil.

In the test, Castrol Edge is compared to regular Mobil 1, NOT the Extended Performance. Why not? Maybe they couldn't find a test in which Edge outperformed EP. And, it's only one test and one in which the engine is idling almost all the time. I don't know anyone who drives that way. And it's only at one weight. What about the other weights? Don't you think if Edge had beat Mobil 1 in other weights that Castrol would put that in their advertising? Also if it's so much better, why doesn't Castrol warrant their Edge product for 15K changes as Mobil Extended Performance does?

Then consider the price point. Edge is about $8.50 a quart. For that much you might as well buy Amsoil, then you know you're getting a "real" synthetic.

To me, it doesn't make sense to quote a comparison test of Edge then recommend people put Syntec (a lower quality oil) in their cars. They may believe they will get more longevity from their engines, but I believe they will be better off with Mobil 1, even if it is the new formula.

Post by **wheelsup** » 19 May 2009, 20:58

tjts1 wrote:I switched our 850 to synthetic at 175k miles. 17k miles later and no problems. I use Shell Rotella synthetic 5w40 every 5k miles. Whatever oil you choose, make sure it has a diesel rating and not API 'energy conserving' label. They don't screw around too much with these oils.

I've been considering the same oil, as I use it in my VW. Available at Wal-Mart too, which is a bonus. However what scares me is it is for diesel cars, correct? Isn't it too heavy for the 850's engine?

dan2286 · Post by **dan2286** » 19 May 2009, 21:52

wheelsup wrote:
tjts1 wrote:I switched our 850 to synthetic at 175k miles. 17k miles later and no problems. I use Shell Rotella synthetic 5w40 every 5k miles. Whatever oil you choose, make sure it has a diesel rating and not API 'energy conserving' label. They don't screw around too much with these oils.
I've been considering the same oil, as I use it in my VW. Available at Wal-Mart too, which is a bonus. However what scares me is it is for diesel cars, correct? Isn't it too heavy for the 850's engine?

It being a diesel oil will not affect the thickness of the oil, it is still 5W40 weight. I believe what makes diesel oil different from gas oil is the additives. I think diesel oil has more detergents and will keep the engine cleaner. I also think it has to do with emissions also. The diesel oil will cause your car to have higher emissions than gas oil.