[diesel]

So, if the Mobil 1 oil is of the wrong viscosity but certified as Dexos2, is it warranty compliant?

 

[diesel]

I would like to know the composition of the GM Dexos2 - what percentage of synthetic etc. Any ideas on how we can get this info?

 

[diesel]

This link is pretty interesting... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnCRLKjwWcpPdEJyVEtlc041TjVVUjJ1U01FMUx1VVE&hl=en_US#gid=0

 

[diesel]

That's cool but I'm not sure what to make of it on my iPad.

I am not sure the source of the data but had the ash content and other info of the GM brnaded Dexos2

 

[diesel]

Here's a bit more info. Looks like GM Dexos2 is Mid Saps Vauxhall Introduces GM's dexos2 Engine Oil

 

[diesel]

Amazing how hard it is to find good, thorough info on this oill. It does seem like it's been around for a while.

 

[diesel]

I was thinking about all this and have a question for y'all. It seems like the general consensus is that GM branded Dexos2 sucks, but I haven't seen any conclusive proof. I mean, if it meets C3, doesn't that mean it will do its job just fine?

 

[diesel]

It is not a full synthetic oil from what I have read, which is a problem when you are running a turbo, especially one that is exclusively oil-cooled. You have to remember that there's a difference between "meets specifications" and "exceeds specifications." I prefer the latter.

I had a Chrysler Laser XE Turbo a few years back. I know that's a gasoline engine but that turbo got HOT when driven hard, and I drove it hard all the time. Synthetic oil never went into the crankcase and the turbo was fine after 175K miles when I sold the car. Frequent oil changes were done, however, and the turbo was always allowed a cool down period after driving. So, based on my personal experience a dino oil (blend) would be just fine in a car with a turbo, providing the OCI was adjusted accordingly.

 

[diesel]

That reminds me (a bit off topic) I went to go look at an Audi A6 2.7T a few years back. Was owned and driven by a lady who lived at the top of a steep driveway. I had arrived before her and heard her pull up, turbo spinning full blast and then she immediately shut it off. That told me everything I needed to know about that car!

 

[diesel]

But anyway, back to my original point, I do believe that the GM Dexos2 will be fine for this engine long term within most operating conditions.

 

[diesel]

Oh, I will go with a synthetic once the free oil changes are complete. I've already had 3 of them and never left the oil in the crankcase for more than 6 weeks so I am sure it's going to be fine. I do agree 100% with you that synthetic is a better choice, however. But I still see no conclusive proof that the GM oil is indeed "crap". (Yes I am sort of playing devil's advocate here)

 

[diesel]

I think I will send a sample off for analysis. That ought to be interesting.

 

[diesel]

I am far from an expert on oil, that's for sure. I am learning a lot from this board. I do agree with you Manny, but there are plenty of people out there who will use the Dexos2 because it's what it says to use in the owner's manual. It will be interesting to see the long term effects. Maybe the engine is robust enough to tolerate the oil?

 

[diesel]

I wish we had a GM engineer on the forum - most specifically the one who designed the Dexos2 and specified it for this engine. Would be interesting to hear what (s)he has to say.

 

[diesel]

Can you find that for the GM Dexos2? I tried but could not.

 

[diesel]

Keep in mind I am completely on board with using a good synthetic oil of the proper viscocity and proper specs. I've just been playing devil's advocate to enhance the discussion :laugh:

 

[diesel]

It's not really a dead horse... more like conjecture and one opinion vs. another. All that being said, nobody has provided conclusive proof that this oil is, in fact, bad. Give me some hard data. At this point, we aren't even 100% sure who makes the oil, much less any hard, cold data about it. Certainly at least somebody can agree with me on this?

Think about all the people who buy this car now and discover the forum 100K miles from now and unnecessarily freak out because they've been using GM Dexos2 for the past 5 years, thinking they are doing something good. I know GM has screwed up in the past, but I personally feel like they worked hard to get this engine right.

 

[diesel]

I have probably already spent too much time thinking about this. What about all those late '70's and 80's Mercedes turbo diesels that never saw a drop of synthetic and ran several hundreds of thousands of miles on their original turbos?

 

[diesel]

I tend to be the lone wolf on this board more often than not. But it's all good, this has ended up being quite an interesting thread. Now, if we can only get GM to change their Dexos2 formula....

 

[diesel]

after calling a few dealers around here, I found one that claims to be using this oil for cruze diesels. Mobil Super™ 3000 Formula G 5W-30

I am impressed that a dealer in the US would even think of using something like this! Must be some good SA and/or parts people at that dealership. How much per quart? Is there a GM part number or something I can tell my dealer to look up?