Switched to 5-30 Mobil 1 and my valves are more noisy

[e30cabriolet]

They aren't aweful noisy or anything, just noisier than they were (seems they are pretty noisy by default)

Is this normal? I was running Castrol 5-40 before but I called BMWNA and they said use this.

[B3ND3R]

Yes.

You want to run 15w to quiet down the valve clatter - you are going the wrong direction.

[ec437]

yeah, BMW reccomended oil for my temp range is 20W-50!!! and it rarely ever gets below freezing or above 90F here.

[e30cabriolet]

So go 15-30? it averages 85-105 here all year never gets below 60 in winter.

Any chance it will hurt the motor if I leave it in for 3k? (53k on the car)

[ec437]

probably won't hurt the motor. I'll check the bentley for your reccomended oil later.

[e30cabriolet]

Pisses me off cause I thought it was too thin but BMWNA insisted. The dealer here only sells Castrol synthetic 5-30 (for over 10.00 a quart!) so I figured it must be the right weight. I really hate the noise. ( I have a peeve for noise) I can only hear it when I pull in the garage with the top down so it's not so bad.

[ec437]

newer bmw engines use thinner oils.

[e30cabriolet]

I told them it was a 90 e30 cabrio with scary low miles. It is running a little cooler.

[B3ND3R]

My 1987 Owner's Manual specifies for my m20:
20w-50: 10 degrees F to 120 degrees F
15w-50: 0 degrees F to 110 degrees F
15w-40: 0 degrees F to 90 degrees F
10w-50: -20 degrees F to 70 degrees F
10w-40: -20 degrees F to 50 degrees F
10w-30: -20 degrees F to 40 degrees F
5w-30: -40 degrees F to 30 degrees F
5w-20: -40 degrees F to 10 degrees F

Again, like I said, being that you live in a warmer climate anyone (including BMWNA) who reccomends a 5w oil for the m20 is off their rocker. You should be going the other way- 15w to 20w, not 5w or 0w.

#-o


I recommend Mobi1 full syn, change about every 5K miles. Make sure you use a good filter, too.

[e30cabriolet]

I use Mahle filters and until now have been using Castrol 10-30. I'll change the oil next week. to 15-40.

Thanks

[ec437]

wow, I never realized that you lived in mexico. Mexico is a very unique country.

[SpeedDemon]

I always stick with the same oil . Never changed it .. Its always been 20w-50. But here in houston should it get 115F in the summer time. And winter it bearly gets under 30.. Houston as Shity weather .. [-(

[E30bimmerdude]

20w-50 was to thick for my car, seems to run great on 15w-40... last awhile and works well, i personally use Castrol GTX...

[Madhatter]

yeah, BMW reccomended oil for my temp range is 20W-50!!! and it rarely ever gets below freezing or above 90F here.

20w/50 is pretty standard down here and it is what a lot of E30 guys (myself included) run.

[BMWE30]

Hmmm...maybe I should change my oil then...I always run 10w-30. ](*,)

[MadmaX]

I've had the best results with Mobil 1 15w-50

[nukeduster]

I've always ran 10w-30 castrol syntec full synthetic in all my bmws. Including a 533i, 325 and a 325i. My 533i has 233,000 miles and counting, 325 has 189 and counting and the 325i has 170. I put roughly 120k total miles on all those vehicles in the last 3 years, and never had a problem running 10w-30. I live in az, and yesterday it was 111 degrees. Never had a problem(that was in any way related to the oils used).

If you run lighter weight oil , make sure to use a high quality synthetic so it doesnt shear away at higher temps or break down. I ran 20w-50 for a short while, killed my gas mileage and acceleration. Changed to 10w-30 about 2 1/2 years ago and never looked back.

Also note: i have nearly no valve tick at all. I actually got compliments from a few fellow e30 owners about how quiet my engine ran.

[screaming_bmwe30]

If you guys are noticing power increases from a small change in oil weight...then it's all in your head. the only thing you should ever notice...is oil temps (you can't feel this) and cold starts are a little harder with a thick oil in cold weather.

I run 20/50 mobil 1, just for safety on my turbo motor....but the cold weight really has anything to do with warm idle valve tick. the warm weight of the oil will have more of an effect on tick.

[TriFlow]

They aren't aweful noisy or anything, just noisier than they were (seems they are pretty noisy by default)

Is this normal? I was running Castrol 5-40 before but I called BMWNA and they said use this.

You could always get Lucas or prolong or some kind of oil additive. They alway seem to quiet stuff down for me..

[e30cabriolet]

I replaced the oil with 15-40 just to be safe as I am not hurting my engine over 35.00 worth of oil. For referance though how much additive should I put in if I have noise in the future?

Man what a differance between this board & R3V here informative input and solutions, there people giving each other shit for their opinions & disrespecting each other. Wow.