Best Diesel in Malaysia
#31
Posted 08 September 2006 - 12:43 PM
there is an extensive thread in this in motor trader forum and dont think
the conclusion is very clear...i think you are right to be precise that
sulphur per se is not what lubricates, its more a layman's saying that
the lubricating properties of lower sulphur fuels is less than higher
sulpher ones vis a vis the missing lubricating compounds after sieving
out sulphur...
#32
Posted 10 September 2006 - 03:26 PM
"mineral" based oils. The soot dispersant properties and acidity modifiers
in the oils are far more important for diesel powered engines than
the"slipperiness" of synthetics, which is the layman's perception of what
makes synthetics "better".
Caltex Delo 400 for example (RM72 for 5l). is a mineral based oil, but is
the only oil available in Malaysia (correct me if I am wrong) with a API
CI-4+ rating, which is the highest industry standard so far. You should not
use Mobil 1 synthetic in your diesel engine, the company used to have a
special truck version of that, but it's not available here, and last time I
looked the company has quietly dropped it from it's product line. Even
their new API CJ spec. (for sale in Oct 2006) diesel oil is the Delvac
mineral base.
Which synthetic oil brand has the neccessary specs then?
Anyway, there aren't any oil filters around that will last for more than
10000km, but the Delo will last for double that period, so oil filter
change is just as important as oil choice.
#33
Posted 10 September 2006 - 05:05 PM
Many people automatically assume Fully Synthetic is superior to mineral in
all areas but that is not true. In the ability to suspend soot particles
effectively, mineral are superior to FS.
That is why whenever there is a newer and tougher API-C* standard being
launched, it almsot without fail to find mineral oil on the shelf EARLIER
then FS.
#34
Posted 11 September 2006 - 10:26 AM
the latest API CI-4 Plus certification. As you maybe aware it is
optimised for the hi-mileage and hi-output modern turbo-diesels. Most
importantanly it is MB 228.5 approved. It costs quite a bit at around
RM190 for 5 litres and you'll need to ask Esso/Mobil to import it from
Australia or Thailand. From experience, my engine is revving smooth with
it for a diesel and this has been confirmed with SC guys. Economy has
been great in combination with Mobil Synergy diesel.
#35
Posted 11 September 2006 - 11:34 AM
Malaysia, too expensive they all say! And at 3 times the cost of Caltex;
so is it worth it you may well ask? It`s also being "dropped" by the
company as the new Delvac for the API CJ spec is coming on stream next
month, which is not fully synthetic I believe.
The other main benefit of synthetics, which is not really applicable to
Malaysia, is the viscocity index, so a 5w or 0w rating, (like a sunroof on
your vehicle) is a bit useless here.
Anyway, what do you do with your filter then? You still throw away the oil
after 10,000km? At almost 3 times the cost, and without extended drain
intervals, you are not saving anything much really when you talk about
economy! If you do the maths, you will need to obtain a 17-20% improvement
in you FC to just break even on the higher oil costs. I doubt if the
synthetic oil and diesel combination can do that. but if you extend your
drain intervals and risk engine damage because of a clogged oil filter,
that will put a much bigger dent in your economy calculation.
#36
Posted 11 September 2006 - 01:25 PM
Delo400
ACEA E7
MB 228.3
Group II+ base oil (Group III listed as Fully Syn)
RM8 per liter if in 18-liter pack.
Mobil Delvac
ACEA E7
MB 228.5
Group IV or V base oil
RM38 per liter in 5-liter pack. 1 pack not enough for an oil change.
Exttended oil change (filter at 10K or By-Pass Filter needed) vs more
regular oil change, I will pick the latter any day. It's like whether to
use dirty laundry water (with superior detergent) for many washes or fresh
water for every wash (with new detergent).
Castrol own study shows a 4% better fuel economy with Fully Syn vs mineral.
My 2 sen.
#38
Posted 11 September 2006 - 02:30 PM
At the moment I am planning an oil change as per on-board computer
instructions, i.e. for this one between 15,000-20,000km, but with oil
filter changes at 10-12000km. I realise that this oil is designed for
fairly extended drain intervals without affecting the engine's
performance.
#39
Posted 11 September 2006 - 03:19 PM
is to the new CJ American spec over their synthetic which isn't (yet),
claiming the mineral one gives better wear protection etc...
I know the MB's were having some "engine problems" with their newest
diesel cars, usually burnt turbos, so it could have been an oil issue with
them...not sure.
For me the Delo is just fine, and still at a good price.
#40
Posted 11 September 2006 - 04:40 PM
Benz threads and they have reported problems of premature failure in
particularly 270 and 320 CDi engines. But most of them tend to occur
within the warranty period and my gut feeling is that its a design issue
rather than oil or fuel issue. A local SC mechanic also told me that some
cars (E270 CDi) had turbos replaced under warranty. So it looks like
since these cars are CBU and hence could be in the same batch as those in
the UK, the problems are common irrespective of country of usage. I will
check out the Delo and economics of using this vs. using the Delvac.