Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance From Castrol...Re Syntec

And I quote:-
'In response to your inquiry,Castrol Syntec is indeed a full synthetic motor oil.Castrol decided to take advantage of exciting new developments in technology that allows the production of advanced high-performance synthetic base stocks.We found that by using advanced base stocks,we could produce synthetic oil that exceeds performance levels achieved with standard synthetic base stock......(rest is sales chat')...so what do we know about 'advanced base stock' Vs standard sythetic base stocks ????,I'm not a chemical engineer so does anyone know? This message came from Genivieve Hendrix at Castrol powercanterfeedback@cnacm.com

I've heard Castrol contains high amounts of ash...

------------------
David Z.
Silver E1 #4808 w/stuff
http://daplace.spedia.net

I find it interesting that on the back on the bottle of Castrol Syntec, you will see in tiny letters that it is "Not for sale outside North America."

IIRC, Mobil 1 doesn't make that claim. Does Castrol have a problem marketing this oil as a "synthetic" outside North America?

Drive a 93 Probe GT in addition to my 97 Mystique 2.5 , here is a quote from the 'guru' over at the Probe forum .....
"Note on Castrol Syntec/Magnatec
o This oil is not good for engines.
o Recently reformulated and isn't a real
synth, despite what Castrol may say.
o The GTX product and RS products are fine
(but ensure RS is in 0w30/0w40 not 10w60).

Syntec/Magnatec:
o Forms ash deposits on valves
o Additive pkge sludges in engine & bottle!
o Draining sees black-flakes which are a wax
and additive coming out of suspension.

This has been seen in Mazda, Audi, BMW.
Both turbo & non-turbo cars, UK & US cars.

UK people after a cheap synth find a Motor
Factor/Charlie-Brown for Comma 5w40 Synth.
From the Motor-Factor it's £17/5litres, but
make sure the Tech knows it's 5 not 4!

Mobil1/Amsoil/Redline real-synths are fine.
Amsoil use the same base-stock as Mobil.

Finally, remember don't use Fram Oil Filters.
Their anti-drainback valve DOESN'T work in
our engines - on V6 or I4, I tested them and
Bosch/Mazda(Tennex) do work but Fram DON'T.
HLAs will be noisier with Fram/Fram-rebadged."

carbon

There was an article in Car and Driver last year about synthetics and it said one of the "major manufacturers" screwed up with their oil but wouldn't say who. They did say that it was 5W50 oil though. Does anyone know of someone other than Castrol who made that mix of synthetic?

I really fear getting involved in this discussion becuase there's so much mis-information around and people hold on to their opinions with religious fervor. So, why don't we check with the oil manufacturers themselves:

Mobil 1: http://www.mobil1.com/mobil1_racing/about/products/engineoil/index.html

Castrol SLX: http://www.castrol.com/domino/casbstr.nsf/content/AutomotiveCarsCastrolSLX

AMS Oil: http://www.amsoil.com/products/tro.html

Redline: http://www.redlineoil.com/prod_frameset.htm

SWEPCO: http://www.swepcousa.com/lubesite/lubeprod.htm

Also, Consumer Reports recently did one of the more definitive tests on engine oils and their determination was that ANY full SFI rated oil works well. The only real difference between regular oil and synthetic oil is synthetic oil's ability to handle higher heat loads. So, unless you are doing something that gets your oil temps about 240 degrees, ANY fully rated SFI oil will work fine in your Contour.

But, no one wants to believe that...

BTW... SWEPCO makes some of the best lubricants you can buy, according to every industry test their is, and they are pretty much the standard in the trucking industry. Unfortunately, they only sell in bulk.



------------------
John Coffey
johncof@veriomail.com

> There was an article in Car and Driver
> last year about synthetics and it said one
> of the "major manufacturers" screwed up
> with their oil but wouldn't say who.

That was Mobil 1. They left out the additive package from a couple lots of oil. The base stock was fine. I had three cases "recalled" and they sent me six for my trouble.



------------------
John Coffey
johncof@veriomail.com

Speaking of C&D, check out Pat Bedard's article in the Nov. issue. All about how Castrol changed the formula of their base stock to a cheaper one that still meets the loose definition of "synthetic."

John Coffey wrote:
"Also, Consumer Reports recently did one of the more definitive tests on engine oils and their determination was that
ANY full SFI rated oil works well. The only real difference between regular oil and synthetic oil is synthetic oil's ability to handle higher heat loads. So, unless you are doing something that gets your oil temps about 240 degrees, ANY fully rated SFI oil will work fine in your Contour."

Sure it works fine, but synthetic does work better. I had sludge buildup in my V6 after 25K miles of dino oil. I know because it all came out after I switched to Mobil 1.

Whenver I use Castrol GTX, it comes out slightly goopy after 3K miles, Mobil 1 always flows out just as thin as it went in.

-Lance

My father in law is the manager of the fuels and lubrications department at GM. I will see if I can get any insider info from him. He has confirmed that any SFI rated oil should work fine under any "normal" driving conditions and in stress tests done with a corvette, it has performed as well as any synthetic made even under extreme driving conditions. The extreme conditions only shorten the length of the oils life.

He also made the point that the average driver who is not real aggresive should expect to get 6-7000 miles on standard SFI approved oil. 3000 miles would only be required for people who drive like most of us probably do, hard. That being said, i still change mine every 3000 miles for piece of mind and habit, not out of necessity.

One the Ford or ex-Ford engineers on this forum noted about the Duratec's design? I can't remember his exact comments, but the gist of it came down to the fact that the Duratec's small block to power output related to btu/heat build up, even normal driving, hence the 5.8 qt oil capacity.
Bottom line for me, as long as I can afford Mobil 1, I'm using it. After purchasing my 98 Mystique 7/97, 1 year later, the phone company said bye bye after 28 years, so this car is going to have to last at least another 10-12 years or more. I hope the Ceo's & Wigs who wanted to cut costs in the late 90's (not just the phone company), can remember those folks who they dumped may not be supporting the economy in the future when it comes time to replace big ticket items. Cause replacement jobs are paying 40-75% less. Of course what will they care, they've already skimmed the cream. I know , shut-up ORF.
Oh yes, Castrol Syntec, I later 98 ?? they came out with "Active Lubricant" on the label??? time frame???
Not sure what they did, but it's junk compared to their earlier Syntec??? I've got a complaint that Castrol Tech is working on and supposed to get back to me. In 1999 I used the new Active stuff in my wife's 89 Probe. It got changed twice in 99 & into 00(5 months intervals using Syntec)and I just happen to remove the valve cover inspecting how the valve train was looking.(4 months ago) I had replaced lifters(lash adjusters) in late 98 and all was clean.(before & after) As far as that goes, its been clean every time I've looked over the last 11 years. However, since using the new Syntec "Active Lube" the whole inside of the cover,lifters etc was just black??? Looked like black soot from a 1000 candles. It was extremely hard to remove. I've heard back once from Castrol's tech group wanting more info and it just so happens I maintain an exacting log of everything I do to my vehicles. That was over 3 weeks ago, No, I don't expect to hear back either. Customer service in the US is really gone down in the last 2-3 years. It's all about "Sorry to hear your having trouble with our product Sir and hope you will continue to thing of us on your next purchase". Translated---"What's our profits today"
Thanks for your time!
Paul
ntaceng@sprintmail.com

Hi my name is Jim and I am new here. I have spent a lot of time modding out my Ride. Or as I love to call it - The Red Bandit!!!

Anyways, I think that the lubricant I have found to be of greatest give and take performance wise is that of ROYAL PURPLE. I change the lubricant every 4000 or so and it never displays any excessive discoloration. Furthermore to that, I don't think that I am burning off much oil, at all.

Just my 2cents on this thread.

Toodles.


------------------
99 Ford Contour SVT
Red Little Bandit!!!
____________________
Leather Wrapped Steering wheel (Custom Refurnished)
Optioned out CarbonFiber Dash
Vertical Mounted Tranni Cooler
Electronic HP guage - Gtech Hooked Up!
Slammed
Door Handles Shaved and Filled
Interior Neon Bulbs
Custom Exhaust Dynomax Muffler
KKM Pulleys
....And Brake Upgrade desired soon...XENONS Wanted too...

Terry
With your contacts maybe this gentleman might answer your Castrol question. Ed Kollin
director of R&D for Lubrication Science in Scotch Plains, New Jersey
It's from an C&D article by PATRICK BEDARD
Searching for the right motor oil for 'keeper cars.' I thing? If you want the whole article send me an e-mail ntaceng@sprintmail.com
The gent sounds like a person who knows the real story about oil.
Paul