Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

any reason not to use mobile 1?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-05-2008, 07:23 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Black Sunshine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question any reason not to use mobile 1?

i have always used mobile 1 until my last change we had a local shop start carrying royal purple so i gave it a shot. i know the 8 is supposed to run 5w20 non synthetic and noticed a lot of you guys run castrol gtx. any reason not to use mobile 1 in the 8? thanks guys
Old 08-05-2008, 07:26 PM
  #2  
Super-impreza!
iTrader: (-1)
 
RedefineRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SoCal/NY
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
stick with the royal purple and don't ever go back to the **** that is mobil 1.
Old 08-05-2008, 07:35 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
johnny2343's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: pa
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
from mazda usa

Synthetic oil is not recommended, unless emissions components and oil injection are removed, and premix fuel is used.

Because the rotary uses oil injection synthetic oil could reduce the life of emission components such as catalytic converters and O2 sensors.

Also, the rotary burns oil to lubricate the the apex seals, and synthetic oil burns at a higher temp than mineral based oil. Repeated short trips may cause synthetic oil build up, leading to spark plug fouling.

Finally, oil sprayed inside the rotor cavities can contact the rotor oil seal O-rings, and oil inside the combustion chamber can contact the housing seal O-rings. Long term exposure to synthetic oil may cause these seals to swell and deteriorate.

If oil injection is removed, and fuel is premixed, synthetic oil can offer a slight amount of additional horsepower.
Old 08-05-2008, 07:41 PM
  #4  
Asshole for hire
iTrader: (1)
 
paulmasoner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Colfontaine, Belgium
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
while i wouldnt use mobile1 unless you've blocked off the OMP and are injecting 2 stroke.... the above comment from Mazda is total BS.

synthetic is perfectly fine as long as your using the right oil. its been bitched about for hundreds of pages here, yet no one seems to care what 2 decades of experience has show for rotaries burning synthetic oil....
Old 08-05-2008, 08:18 PM
  #5  
Rotary Powered Countryboy
 
04RX8man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,811
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i run castrol gtx but i never liked mobil 1 synthetic anyway and i believe royal purple is synthetic oil made for rotaries...
Old 08-05-2008, 08:36 PM
  #6  
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Razz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mobile One and Amzoil are the purest synthetics offered in the market place.
Old 08-05-2008, 09:56 PM
  #7  
I4NI
 
Silver_Surfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Razz1
Mobile One and Amzoil are the purest synthetics offered in the market place.
Correct me if I'm wrong!but I belive the only grp V synthetics are Redline and Amsoil. Mobile 1 falls into the same catagory as Syntec and Royal purple, grp III or IV.
Old 08-05-2008, 10:36 PM
  #8  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
NgoRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA, Rowland Hts.
Posts: 10,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
^yes, after that fiasco between mobil 1 and castrol
Old 08-05-2008, 10:57 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Icemark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Synthetics have been used for years in rotary engines with no bad effects.

Yes, Mazda officially does not recommend the use of synthetic oils in rotary engines, however, long term and racing use has shown that the better synthetics (Redline, Amsoil, Neo, Royal Purple, Mobil1) are perfectly fine to use in a rotary engine, and will generally result in a 1 to 2% horsepower gain. However use of poor quality synthetics (like Valvoline, Castrol Syntec, Havoline, Etc) will result in build up due to high ash content left from these oils when they are burned. The poor quality synthetics do have a higher ash ratio than many conventional oils. It is believed that is why Mazda did not recommend synthetics, because the couldn't pick favorites.

Other notes:
The Mazda Factory racing departments recommend and use ‘synthetic’ oils including the winning 1991 Leman’s 20-G 4 rotor Mazda 787B.

MazdaComp USA printed manual (now Mazdaspeed) recommends the use of synthetic oils for racing conditions.

Redline, Amsoil and Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oils have been used in rotary engines (both race and street) for 20 plus years with excellent results.

Most Synthetic Motor Oil is compatible with the bearing material, sealing elastomer's, and combustion seals used in a rotary engine.

The only reason not to use a good quality synthetic in a rotary engine is cost. With you typical oil change at 3-5K miles on a non turbo rotary, the cost is generally not worth the little gain. But if you got the money, go for it. It will not hurt your motor as it has been proven since the mid-eighties to be just fine to use... even with a fully functioning stock set up MOP.
Old 08-05-2008, 11:01 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
robrecht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hunterdon County
Posts: 1,932
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Most here don't follow Mazda's negativity about synthetic oil in general, but IIRC rotarygod seems to have been given the impression from some Mazda engineer that it is indeed believed that there is a specific additive in Mobil 1 that is not ideal for rotary engines.
Old 08-05-2008, 11:55 PM
  #11  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Originally Posted by johnny2343
Synthetic oil is not recommended, unless emissions components and oil injection are removed, and premix fuel is used.

Because the rotary uses oil injection synthetic oil could reduce the life of emission components such as catalytic converters and O2 sensors.
ROFL

Also, the rotary burns oil to lubricate the the apex seals, and synthetic oil burns at a higher temp than mineral based oil. Repeated short trips may cause synthetic oil build up, leading to spark plug fouling.
AHHH OK, YEAH SURE

Finally, oil sprayed inside the rotor cavities can contact the rotor oil seal O-rings, and oil inside the combustion chamber can contact the housing seal O-rings. Long term exposure to synthetic oil may cause these seals to swell and deteriorate.


If oil injection is removed, and fuel is premixed, synthetic oil can offer a slight amount of additional horsepower.
Dude, Seriously, if u dont know anything. Please dont offer any "advise"

Originally Posted by robrecht
Most here don't follow Mazda's negativity about synthetic oil in general, but IIRC rotarygod seems to have been given the impression from some Mazda engineer that it is indeed believed that there is a specific additive in Mobil 1 that is not ideal for rotary engines.
Mobil change their formula every so ften, might be couple times a year. so I will say they did their homework and they know their stuff.

There could be some weird tho "Mobil only" stuff in their Mobil1 that causes problems. but if they're not almost always cost more than any other good ones like Red Line. I probably use them all the way.

if Mobil cant do Synthetic oil right. I kinda doubt anyone else can.




to the OP : Mobil1 is fine. use at least 5w30 tho. 5w20 is a joke. Synthetic or not.




P.S. : Ahh, one thing. speaking of Mobil1. their extended performance line saids its good up to 15,000 miles. hmm . LOL I wonder if I use it every 10K miles (will top up in between of course) and my engine seize. will they give me another engine? lol

Last edited by nycgps; 08-06-2008 at 12:04 AM.
Old 08-06-2008, 12:04 AM
  #12  
Registered
 
ken-x8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
some Mazda engineer that it is indeed believed that there is a specific additive in Mobil 1 that is not ideal for rotary engines.
I thought it was a pretty high-up Mazda engineer. And that it was more like "was not" rather than "is not." A lot of beliefs about synthetic oil come from long-gone properties of the early ones.

Then there are the TSBs from Mazda Netherlands and Australia that show nasty carbon clogged ports that they attribute to synthetic oil.

Ken
Old 08-06-2008, 12:08 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
vanvideo@aol.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Since Mazda extended the warranty on the 8s engine (or parts of it) to 100K, and since Mazda officially recommends NOT using synthetic oil, is it possible Mazda can view the use of a synthetic oil in their engines as a reason to void the extended warranty?
Old 08-06-2008, 12:13 AM
  #14  
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
 
alz0rz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,002
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by vanvideo@aol.com
Since Mazda extended the warranty on the 8s engine (or parts of it) to 100K, and since Mazda officially recommends NOT using synthetic oil, is it possible Mazda can view the use of a synthetic oil in their engines as a reason to void the extended warranty?
they won't know unless you tell them..

really though.. it shouldn't matter.
Old 08-06-2008, 12:24 AM
  #15  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Originally Posted by ken-x8
I thought it was a pretty high-up Mazda engineer. And that it was more like "was not" rather than "is not." A lot of beliefs about synthetic oil come from long-gone properties of the early ones.

Then there are the TSBs from Mazda Netherlands and Australia that show nasty carbon clogged ports that they attribute to synthetic oil.

Ken
I believe if I go out now and pull somebody that drives a 8 but does not know how to "properly" maintain a rotary (revving,cruising, etc) will have something that looks exactly the same as the ones in the picture.
Old 08-06-2008, 12:24 AM
  #16  
Registered
 
robrecht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hunterdon County
Posts: 1,932
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by nycgps
Mobil change their formula every so ften, might be couple times a year. so I will say they did their homework and they know their stuff.

There could be some weird tho "Mobil only" stuff in their Mobil1 that causes problems. ... if Mobil cant do Synthetic oil right. I kinda doubt anyone else can.
So, which is it?
Originally Posted by ken-x8
I thought it was a pretty high-up Mazda engineer. And that it was more like "was not" rather than "is not." A lot of beliefs about synthetic oil come from long-gone properties of the early ones.
Better ask rg, this is already like 3rd or 4th hand.
Old 08-06-2008, 12:25 AM
  #17  
Registered
 
ken-x8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by vanvideo@aol.com
Since Mazda extended the warranty on the 8s engine (or parts of it) to 100K, and since Mazda officially recommends NOT using synthetic oil, is it possible Mazda can view the use of a synthetic oil in their engines as a reason to void the extended warranty?
It's a recommendation, not a requirement. AFAIK, the owner's manual does not prohibit it. All they require is that you use 5w20, API Service SL or better. As long as you follow that spec there's nothing they can legitimately carp about.

Personally, I use regular oil. Don't see the value of using a long life oil (one of synthetic's big benefits) if I'm going to change it every 3000 miles.

Ken
Old 08-06-2008, 12:25 AM
  #18  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Originally Posted by vanvideo@aol.com
Since Mazda extended the warranty on the 8s engine (or parts of it) to 100K, and since Mazda officially recommends NOT using synthetic oil, is it possible Mazda can view the use of a synthetic oil in their engines as a reason to void the extended warranty?
they cant void anything unless they can prove that is the reason of failure. ( unless you have obviously void the warranty by installing a turbo or something)
Old 08-06-2008, 12:26 AM
  #19  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
For those who want some cheap Castrol GTX + Oil filter. Autozone has a deal. 14.99 = 5 quarts of GTX + filter. not bad IMO.

For those who want Mobil1, they're doing 26.99 for 5 Quarts of mobil1 + mobil1 filters. Usually when u buy the filter alone it will cost you like 10 bux, have other brands too, see the flyer
http://www.autozone.com/images/in_ou...g8_0724_08.pdf


I dont work for Autozone. jsut wanna pass this up to ppl here : )

Last edited by nycgps; 08-06-2008 at 12:32 AM.
Old 08-06-2008, 12:37 AM
  #20  
Registered
 
robrecht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hunterdon County
Posts: 1,932
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ken-x8
I thought it was a pretty high-up Mazda engineer. And that it was more like "was not" rather than "is not." A lot of beliefs about synthetic oil come from long-gone properties of the early ones.

Then there are the TSBs from Mazda Netherlands and Australia that show nasty carbon clogged ports that they attribute to synthetic oil.

Ken
Here's the post I was remembering (from May 2007):
Originally Posted by rotarygod
Um yeah. Ignorance shines again! In case you guys forgot, when I talked to Mr. Yamaguchi-san (bigtime rotary engine boss in Japan) at Sevenstock a year and a half ago, we discussed synthetics and why they say not to use them even though they are fine. Keep in mind he personally also had a hand in the formulation of Idemitsu.

... Don't listen to the morons who think synthetic is not good stuff. It's great stuff. It's better (as long as it's not Mobil 1 synthetic). They have an additive in their synthetic that doesn't seem to get along with rotaries in the longterm. This has nothing to do with the fact that the base stock is synthetic. It's an additive causing the issues and they only use it in their synthetic line. Mobil 1 is also the most widely used and commonly available synthetic oil in the world so maybe now some people can put 2 and 2 together to see why Mazda says what they do. They assume people are morons (because they are!) so they say the safest thing they can say and then stick to it regardless of what is really going on. They can't just single out one oil. They'd get sued over it. In a time when you can win a lawsuit for spilling your own hot coffee in your lap or when judges will sue drycleaners for millions of dollars over a pair of pants, is it really so hard to see why they'd make a blanket statement to protect themselves?

...
Old 08-06-2008, 08:29 AM
  #21  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Originally Posted by robrecht
Here's the post I was remembering (from May 2007):
when judges will sue drycleaners for millions of dollars over a pair of pants
ROFL ! I remember that news. Haha, that sadness on that *** judge's face when he lost the case ... ahhhh it was priceless.

I have 2 more gallons of Redline. when Im done with them, screw it, Mobil1 0w40 all the way
Old 08-06-2008, 03:45 PM
  #23  
Registered User
 
johnny2343's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: pa
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nycgps, i just make this clear it is not my position on the subject,came across it earlier in the day and thought it was interesting ,its word for word copy and pasted from mazda website, to me its probably just a matter of personal preference as i have used mobil 1 syn. since 1999 in every car i have owned
Old 08-06-2008, 04:07 PM
  #24  
Red headed stepchild
iTrader: (1)
 
Davey's RX-8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by vanvideo@aol.com
Since Mazda extended the warranty on the 8s engine (or parts of it) to 100K, and since Mazda officially recommends NOT using synthetic oil, is it possible Mazda can view the use of a synthetic oil in their engines as a reason to void the extended warranty?
They didn't on mine.
Old 08-06-2008, 05:20 PM
  #25  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
1QWIK7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Secaucus, New Jersey
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
These threads will always make me laugh.

Rotarys dont fail due to oil related problems.

In fact, i think the last oil related problem in a rotary engine was like 20 years ago. And that was because that person never changed the oil ever and it had a fuel dilution of like 80% LOL.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: any reason not to use mobile 1?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:47 AM.