Interesting Article for Bluetec Diesels & FYI for Others

Looks like Marc is running Amsoil 5W40 European formula EFM which is MB-229.5 spec in his OM642 motor. He has 2008 R320 and those have DPF.

Thanks, Kajtek. Just had a read of it, and it's rather interesting. If I'm reading this right, it appears that 5W-40 oil, with the proper additives and changed every, say, 10,000 KM, should be fine, regardless of brand, though Amsoil 5W-40 seems to be the better performer. I did note that Mobil-1 0W-30 posted higher iron levels than the other tested oils. Not sure if that's because of Mobil-1's formulation, or the 0W-30 viscosity. I suspect it's a combination of the two because the Mercedes-Benz brand oil is similar, 5W-30.

M1 always generate higher iron on all weights and that is why I avoid it whenever I can.
Funny when I was sending samples to the lab, the lab recommended oil change due the higher iron, but then come with "if you don't mind higher iron, just drive it another 3000 miles"
Bottom line- the solid criteria how good oil should act don't exist.

Here's my oil analysis. The engine had a total mileage of 102k miles, and this sample of Mobil 1 European formula 0w-40 had 7k miles on it. I have changed to the Redline motorcycle full synthetic 20w-60 as recommended by Mr. Stephens. I will send another sample at 5k miles on the new oil and post that analysis also. My fuel mileage has decreased about 6% with the new oil.

FWIW, the Mobil 1 appears to have been doing a good job.

John

Universal average for iron is 17
You have 42 on short interval.
Hardly good job.
Will wait for your next report.

Not sure where you are getting your universal average for iron, I'm just going by what the report says. Green checkmark and values within acceptable limits.

John

Just like with everything in this life, you never have solid borders.
I was sending oil samples to Blackstone Lab.
For them iron at 30 is red flag.
Send the question to your guys and see what they answer?

I will contact Lubescan for their normal values for my engine. Here is an interesting read.
Untitled Page

John

Kajtek1 said:

Just like with everything in this life, you never have solid borders.
I was sending oil samples to Blackstone Lab.
For them iron at 30 is red flag.
Send the question to your guys and see what they answer?

Click to expand...

Blackstone Lab's average on my cdi is 50. They flagged it when it "spiked" to 107, which I concluded was because of me using Mobil 1 esp oil. Since I switched to Mobil 1 European Blend, the iron level came down to 83 on my last oil analysis.
Also with using the esp oil, my copper spiked to 6, which the average is 3. My last oil analysis it was at 4.
Mike T.

That shows how double-tongued oil analysis can be.
I did several samples back in 2011.
Now I compared couple of results from different oils.
For M1 ESP formula the average iron at the time was. 30.
I run synthetic Rotella T6 in my Powerstroke and average for this was 17
Looks lie between 2011 and 2017 Blackstone allows M1 to generate 4 times more of iron particles.
Do you smell a rat?

Kajtek1 said:

That shows how double-tongued oil analysis can be.
I did several samples back in 2011.
Now I compared couple of results from different oils.
For M1 ESP formula the average iron at the time was. 30.
I run synthetic Rotella T6 in my Powerstroke and average for this was 17
Looks lie between 2011 and 2017 Blackstone allows M1 to generate 4 times more of iron particles.
Do you smell a rat?

Click to expand...

I am not all in on the M1 bandwagon and may try a different brand of oil at my next oil change.
Mike T.

After 3000 miles of using the Redline 20w60 synthetic motorcycle oil, I have drained it and replaced with the recommended 0w40 Mobil 1 European formula. The reason? Stumbling/surging at low RPM under light load. See that discussion here.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2862210-surging-low-rpm.html

After talking with a diesel mechanic friend of mine about the symptoms, he told me that the high pressure rail injectors can be very finicky with dirt, sludge, incorrect oil, etc.

Engine is now running flawlessly again!

John