OILS · Aussieveedubbers

clinker42 Officially Full-On Dubber

381 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 12 Feb 2010, 6:35 pm

#762351

Out of interest, how many of you guys use a fully synthetic oil in your Beetles. We had the Mobil Engineer at work with us for the day testing or oil after some Dyno runs of this seasons race engines. During our lunch break I got talking to him about the Beetle engine and Oil.

He said it is a must to use a fully synthetic oil in the VW air cooled engines due to the temp. He said mineral oils no matter what additives are added cannot handle temps around 130 or above. He stated that really any oil temp over 130 would need a synthetic. I know Mobil 1 can handle 150-180 as we have put an engine through 2 hrs of dyno work with oil in that range and the oil tested ok after.

Yes hes Mobil but he gets nothing out of selling me Mobil 1 as they give it too us in 200 lt drums for free.

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 12 Feb 2010, 6:53 pm

#762355

I've been using Mobil 1 in my race car (Beetle) engine for a couple of years without any problems. Oil temp. has been lower with this oil, although pressure is down a bit.

What would be really good would be one of those free 200 litre drums full of Mobil 1!!!!!!!

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

type3lover in the garage...

796 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 12 Feb 2010, 7:29 pm

#762359

I'll be using Mobil 1 fully synthetic in the notch but will run the engine in on "dyno" oil. That's dinosaur for short to describe mineral oils. 🥷 Apparently that is the best way to do it. Perhaps ACE 30 would be a good choice for initial break-in.
Synthetic definitely has a higher temperature rating before it starts to break down and lose lubricating properties, but if you have even one dodgy gasket then it will leak :-p

.

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 12 Feb 2010, 7:46 pm

#762366

Hmmmmmm did they have fully synthetic oil in beetles back in 1950, 1960???? etc❓

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 12 Feb 2010, 7:50 pm

#762369

id personally be worried about 130 degree oil temps....
ive never been over 115 and thats in a modified bug

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 12 Feb 2010, 7:51 pm

#762370

1970? 1980? Umm...1990 maybe. If you were real keen

Pay your debts, CxxT

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 12 Feb 2010, 7:57 pm

#762372

Vw Aust rallied these little buggers successfully for quite a few years and this was prior to the advent of fully synthetic oils,we use a semi synthetic oil successfully in our VW's and most other vehicles.The later vehicles are as per manufacturers specs.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 12 Feb 2010, 8:45 pm

#762388

I used to race on Mobil 1 (0W-40) with good results, but for a street engine I prefer a semi synthetic or mineral even. Mobil 1 is definately down on oil pressure and can leak like the proverbial.😠

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Feb 2010, 12:42 am

#762421

ian.mezz wrote:Hmmmmmm did they have fully synthetic oil in beetles back in 1950, 1960???? etc❓

NO NO NO....

I remember when MOBIL ONE first came out years ago...

was after the 80's I think...

oil back then was usually just mineral oil...

they bought out detergent oil about 1963 ish...

before that oil stayed clean for a long time...

detergent oil wrecked a lot of old engines... cleaned them out ... no gum etc..

and deisel oil was a NO NO for petrol engines for a long time..
now they are all detergent oils...

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 · 13 Feb 2010, 1:18 am

#762424

I used to use Mobil 1in my first bugs. Obviously older formulations, but you could tell the immediate difference when you swapped from another oil. The engine just ran better. The only reason I don't use it at the moment is cost. One of thes days when I build a new engine, it will have Mobil 1 coursing through its veins.

Now, if i could get hold of one of those 200l drums for free, there would be no question, I'd fill all my cars with the stuff!

Nothing better in my opinion.

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 13 Feb 2010, 7:13 am

#762431

68AutoBug wrote:
ian.mezz wrote:Hmmmmmm did they have fully synthetic oil in beetles back in 1950, 1960???? etc❓
NO NO NO....

I remember when MOBIL ONE first came out years ago...

was after the 80's I think...

oil back then was usually just mineral oil...

they bought out detergent oil about 1963 ish...

before that oil stayed clean for a long time...

detergent oil wrecked a lot of old engines... cleaned them out ... no gum etc..

and deisel oil was a NO NO for petrol engines for a long time..
now they are all detergent oils...

LEE

When I raced a Vee - around 40 years ago - I used Shell Rotella SAE 20, a diesel engine oil. Had virtually no oil pressure below 2000 RPM, however the engine went for almost 2 years without a problem.Before it is suggested otherwise, the car was driven hard - mostly near the front of the field, with a lap record or two.

The oil was changed after practice, and after the races. It was always very black!

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!