ARTICLE: Synthetic oil vs Mineral oil

Raccoon · 26th February 2009, 17:43

^^^Dushmish, I guess you are saying that in sarcasm... but I mean it!!!

rajchetan · 26th February 2009, 18:05

Hi Guys!

I recently changed my Bikes engine to Shell Helix ultra from shell bunk at Old madras road for 1000 rs with oil change free.
First thing which I noticed in first few days are
1) That I no longer require using choke to start my bike in the mornings.
2) From 20kmph in 4th gear I can open the throttle without any knocking or vibrations.

Require help

I own a 2004 Indica V2 DLX done 50k Kms. looking to change the engine oil with Synthetic oil. Please suggest which Oil and at what grade and also suggest from where i can buy it in Bangalore @ what price.
Awaiting suggestion.

WAGON_R · 26th February 2009, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercars

I just bought 8 litres of Mobil 1 from Opera House @ 950/- per litre.

8 litres? is it for 2 cars or are you stocking oil? my friend recently got a 4 litre can for 3350Rs from Opera house. 950 is damn costly.

greenhorn · 26th February 2009, 18:13

raj, I wouldnt bother with synthetic, just switch to a better grade of mineral.
castrol GTX/Chevron Delo 400/Mobil Delvac MX should all be fine

Raccoon · 26th February 2009, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajchetan

Hi Guys!

I recently changed my Bikes engine to Shell Helix ultra from shell bunk at Old madras road for 1000 rs with oil change free.
First thing which I noticed in first few days are
1) That I no longer require using choke to start my bike in the mornings.
2) From 20kmph in 4th gear I can open the throttle without any knocking or vibrations.

Require help

I own a 2004 Indica V2 DLX done 50k Kms. looking to change the engine oil with Synthetic oil. Please suggest which Oil and at what grade and also suggest from where i can buy it in Bangalore @ what price.
Awaiting suggestion.

Dude, Shell Helix ultra is for cars! Definitely not recommended for use in bikes. Suggest you dont use it even if you observe those positive changes. Also, what oil are you comparing it with?? I don't think using choke has really got anything to do with the oil. Apparently some other factor is involved.

Don't know what grades are good for the Indica; but I'd quite agree with Greenhorn. Castrol however, would be last on my list of choices.

greenhorn · 26th February 2009, 18:49

API CF4 is recommended minimum grade for most diesel indicas.
I Castrol made it to the list because thats the only better oil thats found at TASC's ( they have to use API CI4 for safari Dicors, but CF4 for all indica/indigo engines(including dicors) - strange)

Atlblkz06 · 26th February 2009, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Nope, an engine flush is useful to remove dirt / deposits from the engine as well. Even when using the exact same type of oil!

But isn't that the whole purpose of an oil change? An oil change IS a "flush"!

In my experience, as long as the oil is of good quality, and doesn't sit in there for more that a year or deal with an extreme number of temp variations, there wont be any sludge.

The bad part is - you cannot look at the oil coming out of your car and tell if you have any sludge. You have to drop the pan and look at small crevices where that junk hides. The only cure for this problem is prevention - scheduled maintenance.

Raccoon · 27th February 2009, 02:51

^^^This question/issue has been raised so many times, that I'd give up trying to answer it. Seems flushing has become a raging fad! Sigh!!

Btw, as for the oil sitting there more than a year, my manual recommends oil change every year (if the km limit is not exceeded, of course)... so I don't think letting the oil sit in the engine for a year should cause a problem... if not a bit more.

WAGON_R · 27th February 2009, 15:41

i think one can check the condition of the oil by the dip stick provided. if the oil is very dark and gummy or sluggish then you can go for flush. otherwise for a regular healthy oil, what i mean is normal 8 k good quality oil change flush is not required.
i find this flushing stuff more of a marketing gimmik

GTO · 27th February 2009, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlblkz06

But isn't that the whole purpose of an oil change? An oil change IS a "flush"!

Hey - I don't use engine flush with every change! It's probably with every 6th - 7th oil change.

Eddy · 2nd March 2009, 17:13

Castrol India - GTX DIESEL

I thought Castrol GTX Diesel was API CI-4. The above link mentions API CH-4.

Which are the CI4 mineral oils available ?

greenhorn · 2nd March 2009, 17:30

delvac MX ought to be CI4

sriturl · 2nd March 2009, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy

Castrol India - GTX DIESEL

I thought Castrol GTX Diesel was API CI-4. The above link mentions API CH-4.

Which are the CI4 mineral oils available ?

GTD is CH4, GTX Diesel is CI4 as per my knowledge.

Eddy · 2nd March 2009, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriturl

GTD is CH4, GTX Diesel is CI4 as per my knowledge.

Even I thought so, but the link states otherwise.

rajchetan · 3rd March 2009, 11:08

hi Guys,

Came accross the below links on CI4,

Mobil Delvac 1300 Super

http://www.shell.com/static/global/d...r4_ci4_dh1.pdf

Came accross the below link for Mobil Delvac MX,

Mobil Delvac MX Extra 15W-40

Came accross the attachement on CF4,

Guys now can you suggest which Oil can i use in my Indica DLX NA.
Mods: I hope its fine to attach links directly.

26th February 2009, 17:43	#1456
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^Dushmish, I guess you are saying that in sarcasm... but I mean it!!!
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 18:05	#1457
rajchetan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand / Vietnam / HK / Bangalore Posts: 365 Thanked: 146 Times	Hi Guys! I recently changed my Bikes engine to Shell Helix ultra from shell bunk at Old madras road for 1000 rs with oil change free. First thing which I noticed in first few days are 1) That I no longer require using choke to start my bike in the mornings. 2) From 20kmph in 4th gear I can open the throttle without any knocking or vibrations. Require help I own a 2004 Indica V2 DLX done 50k Kms. looking to change the engine oil with Synthetic oil. Please suggest which Oil and at what grade and also suggest from where i can buy it in Bangalore @ what price. Awaiting suggestion.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 18:13	#1459
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,397 Times View My Garage	raj, I wouldnt bother with synthetic, just switch to a better grade of mineral. castrol GTX/Chevron Delo 400/Mobil Delvac MX should all be fine
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 18:49	#1461
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,397 Times View My Garage	API CF4 is recommended minimum grade for most diesel indicas. I Castrol made it to the list because thats the only better oil thats found at TASC's ( they have to use API CI4 for safari Dicors, but CF4 for all indica/indigo engines(including dicors) - strange) Last edited by greenhorn : 26th February 2009 at 18:51.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 02:51	#1463
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^This question/issue has been raised so many times, that I'd give up trying to answer it. Seems flushing has become a raging fad! Sigh!! Btw, as for the oil sitting there more than a year, my manual recommends oil change every year (if the km limit is not exceeded, of course)... so I don't think letting the oil sit in the engine for a year should cause a problem... if not a bit more.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 15:41	#1464
WAGON_R BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 60 Thanked: 0 Times	i think one can check the condition of the oil by the dip stick provided. if the oil is very dark and gummy or sluggish then you can go for flush. otherwise for a regular healthy oil, what i mean is normal 8 k good quality oil change flush is not required. i find this flushing stuff more of a marketing gimmik
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 17:13	#1466
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,301 Times	Castrol India - GTX DIESEL I thought Castrol GTX Diesel was API CI-4. The above link mentions API CH-4. Which are the CI4 mineral oils available ?
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 17:30	#1467
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,397 Times View My Garage	delvac MX ought to be CI4
	() Thanks