Mixing Dino Oil and Syn to Make Syn Blend, Good Idea? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

trueog · #1 01-23-2007, 09:56 PM

Hey guys, I am currently using 15W40 dino oil for my W202 C-Class. In the past i've heard some honda techs talk about mixing a little bit of Synthetic oil with Dino oil to enhance the properties of the oil and ease the burden of an aging car from pumpin the thicker dino oil.Personally I see using 100% syn.oil in my car as a waste of money as it doesn't require it.

Would this seem to be a good idea? perhaps using 75% dino oil and 25% syn oil to make a blend. Does anyone see any benefits by doing this? and what are your thoughts on this idea? I'd like to hear ur input on this idea.

thanks,

deanyel · #2 01-23-2007, 10:16 PM

It's probably a question of whether it makes you feel better - the engine really isn't going to care whether you use petro, synthetic or a mixture.

TMAllison · #3 01-23-2007, 10:30 PM

If you are concerned about the weight of your oil and/or your cars ability to pump it around, go to 0/40, 5/40, or even 5/30.

Changing dino oil every 3-5K would prob make a bigger impact than blending.

uberwgn · #4 01-24-2007, 07:46 AM

follow mfr's rec and you won't have to be second-guessing your personal brew:

BrazBenz · #5 01-24-2007, 08:45 AM

Nowadays mixing oils equals mixing a lot of aditives.
This may mean LOTS of trouble.
So, there is no simple answer.
I'd say: Use either the manuf. spec or better.
Probably the best compromising is a semi-synth - a kind of technically made mix. (btw semi-synths may appear in the manuf. lists)
Jorge

PS: When I mean better I mean: better but included in the manufacturer list. Because of sludge many manufacturers are moving toward synthetics. I am moving from semi to full - concluded that the price ticket is not that big and it is always a cheap insurance policy vis a vis servicing a MB.

Kestas · #6 01-24-2007, 09:26 AM

I believe many semisynthetics are regular oil blended with 20% synthetic stock, so you're essentially accomplishing the same thing.

You may want to post your question on the following web site:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB1

cool · #7 01-24-2007, 09:33 AM

why bother toying around with the oil, your car deserve a mineral base oil, you'll thank me for it ones you encounter gumming on the cylinder head with using blended or synthetic oil on your C class. then your nightmare of uneven idling and all types of internal combustion problem will haunt your C class.

Stay safe no need to fancy all those oil stuff. follow strick periodic preventive maintenance.

lkchris · #8 01-24-2007, 10:25 AM

Funny how nobody needs a degree in chemistry when it comes to engine oil!

trueog · #9 01-25-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool

why bother toying around with the oil, your car deserve a mineral base oil, you'll thank me for it ones you encounter gumming on the cylinder head with using blended or synthetic oil on your C class. then your nightmare of uneven idling and all types of internal combustion problem will haunt your C class.

Stay safe no need to fancy all those oil stuff. follow strick periodic preventive maintenance.

I find what you're saying to be very interesting...I had no idea that a semi-syns and full syns. can cause gumming in my engine. I was always under the impression that with dino oil, changing it on a regular basis will reduce the chances of sludge build up....but the way you put it, synthetic is no better either for making life easier on the engine for longevity reasons.....

I simply thought the blend would make sludging less of an issue, and make life easier for the engine to pump oil on those cold mornings.....

Kestas · #10 01-25-2007, 08:32 AM

Trueog, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in cool's post. Your engine will NOT gum up because of this brew you're proposing, not any more than usual. Except for additive clash - which I suspect is not a serious concern - I see no harm in beefing up regular oil with synthetic.

mpolli · #11 01-25-2007, 12:24 PM

Truog,

I thought by now someone would finally ask you what model/engine you have. So, what is it? Uberwgn is correct IMHO. Certainly, the M111 had sludging with std oil and there was a class action suit about it. The mfg now requires synthetic in those. Your climate is mild so you don't necessarily need the extreme cold flowability of a 0W. My decision would also depend on whether the engine is burning any oil or not.

Mike

trueog · #12 01-28-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestas

Trueog, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in cool's post. Your engine will NOT gum up because of this brew you're proposing, not any more than usual. Except for additive clash - which I suspect is not a serious concern - I see no harm in beefing up regular oil with synthetic.

See I based the whole thing on some honda techs recommending it as being benificial for an aged veichle. I see it the same way as you do, I thought there was no harm in beefing up the chemistry of the oil. I know straight Syn in my car is a waste, and on top of that I run oil in very short intervals. Thanks for the input

stephenson · #13 01-28-2007, 09:30 PM

Oil threads are so cool!

Opinions are like ... well, you know.

Sludging is caused by not changing the lubricant often enough - dino oils require changing more often - whether it is a MB or a Toyota. MB went to synthetics so it could stick with the increased intervals for changing - the same intervals that were causing sludging with dino oils.

Synthetics are clearly better - in every respect. They are being increasingly specified because of this. "Honda techs" discussing mixing oils is pretty funny ...

Switch to synthetic - any major brand of synthetic is significantly better than any dino oil. Just a fact.

Oil threads are so cool!

greasybenz · #14 01-28-2007, 09:32 PM

i had just bought mobil 10w30 synthetic blend for $1.99/quart at kragen. Im planning to use it in the S420 once the next oil is due for a change, currently it has mobil 1 5w30.

It seems as though the car gets better mileage with a synthetic. And this was the same with my diesel. Back when i had the 300SD i used delo 400 15w40, performance wise it was the same clackity ol diesel. But when i switched the the 5w40 synthetic my mpg's went up and the cold starts were better.

Id say the best choice would be either a full synthetic or a synthetic blend. But a synthetic blend that wasnt done by mixing two different oils even if they were both of the same weight and brand.

Tomguy · #15 01-28-2007, 10:41 PM

I too love oil threads.

Let's put it this way: My Jeep has 167k miles on it. I always ran a conventional or synthetic blend (usually 4x4 synth blend). This most recent change, I took out conventional Pennzoil 10w30 (the worst oil I've ever used in it) and replaced it with Mobil-1 5w30. So far, it's been the best oil I've ever put in it.

The ticking is almost completely gone from the engine (except when stone cold on sub-25°F days). Also, I was getting 14.5-15MPG with the conventional. Without changing my driving conditions at all (cruise at the same speed) I am now getting 15.5-17MPG. My last tank claims 18.0MPG according to my receipt, but I think I may have missed a possible gallon at fill up. That would still put me at 16.67 though...

I never thought it would make such a difference in such an old engine that doesn't even have overhead cams. I was wrong.