The conventional Rotella-T is available in straight weights and 15w-40. If
now using 5w-30, you are using a thinner oil and probaly the wrong oil. I
believe 5w-40 is VW's choice for this engine.

>From: "Chris S." <mrpolak@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: "Chris S." <mrpolak@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Thoughts on running Mobil-1 Synthetic oil
>Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 18:05:42 -0700
>
>I just changed oil in my TDI with Mobil 1 5W30 diesel oil.  I also had some
>Rotella T 5W30 synthetic which I used to top off the oil.  I noticed that
>Rotella was a bit thicker than Mobil 1 despite same viscosity.  I now
>notice that my engine is a little louder and previously I ran straight
>Rotella T.
>
>Coincidence?  It could be.
>
>Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM> wrote: Hi,
>
>I am running Mobil 1 15W50 full synthetic in my 2.1 89 Syncro Westy.
>
>I have  a VDO pressure gauge and monitor the damn thing all the time.
>I also have a recent Boston Bob rebuilt with about 8K miles on it.
>
>Occasionally even when it is in the 70s outside and the engine oil is not
>particularly hot (I have a VDO temp gauge as well) I will get that oil
>light to flicker at idle (1000RPM).  I know that the electric VDO sender is
>semi accurate but still.
>
>Before switching to Mobil-1 I ran Valvoline and Quacker 20W50 full
>Synthetic. I did not have any flickering issues.
>
>I will return to running Valvoline or Quacker synthetic.  I do not like the
>Mobil 1 because of the symptoms at low pressure idle regardless of the Zinc
>content.
>
>And yes I am running the MANN filter.  I also trust that the engine does
>not have bad bearings or bad oil pump or relief spring or any other faulty
>components.
>
>Cheers,
>Heading for Watkins Glen to race my van on the track.....
>
>Joel
>Empire State VW Camping Club.
>
>
>----- Original Message ----
>From: Wesley Pegden
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 7:06:50 PM
>Subject: (UPDATE) Re: Mobil 1 and SM rating...
>
>
>Just wanted to follow up on this:
>I just got off the phone with Mobil 1.  The technician I spoke with said
>that the 15w50 still had high levels of Zinc and Phosphorus, even with
>the SM rating.  So unless anybody hear knows otherwise, I'm going to
>assume it's okay...
>
>-Wes
>
>
>
>Wesley Pegden wrote:
> > I know the SM discussion was just had recently.  However, reading
> > through that discussion, it seems nobody mentioned this:
> >
> > The "reintroduced" 15w-50 Mobil 1 oil is SM rated.  It is not clear to
> > me whether it has enough of the anti-wear additives, after reading lots
> > of pages online of various tests of the oil.  Mobil-1's site has
> > generally cryptic answers, which I don't generally trust.
> >
> > I know there is plenty of dino oil with 20w50 or equivalent with no SM
> > rating and presumably the correct levels of Zinc, etc.  What about
> > synthetics?  Are there equivalent synthetics with known good levels of
> > additives?  (Castrol?)  Or does anyone have a good reason to think that
> > the Mobil 1 is still a good choice?
> >
> >
>
>
>
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