[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

MJK, does Mobile 1 synthetic oil typically have the Dexos 2 rating?

Only these two. Assuming you can find a 5W40 of the Super 3000.

[Ryephile]

Some of you guys are hanging onto the Dexos2 "cert" as if it contains something magical. It doesn't. Most of the Dexos2's are much too high cold-temp viscosity that will have oil starvation and seriously accelerate wear at cranking and warm-up. Anyone living where the oil is ever below 40°C needs to pay attention to the actual oil specs.

The OP's engine failure was still during warm-up, so the very slight bump in high-temp viscosity of a dexos2 isn't in play here. Find another thing to complain about, the oil isn't the problem here unless there wasn't any due to dealer negligence.

Also, Mobil 1™ ESP Formula 5W-30 is Dexos2, though it's low-temp viscosity is still too high, it's more like a 10W-35.

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Some of you guys are hanging onto the Dexos2 "cert" as if it contains something magical. It doesn't. Most of the Dexos2's are much too high cold-temp viscosity that will have oil starvation and seriously accelerate wear at cranking and warm-up. Anyone living where the oil is ever below 40°C needs to pay attention to the actual oil specs.

The OP's engine failure was still during warm-up, so the very slight bump in high-temp viscosity of a dexos2 isn't in play here. Find another thing to complain about, the oil isn't the problem here unless there wasn't any due to dealer negligence.

Also, Mobil 1™ ESP Formula 5W-30 is Dexos2, though it's low-temp viscosity is still too high, it's more like a 10W-35.

Well GM asks you to use 5W-40 or 0W-40 Dexos 2 oils when tracking the car. It says specifically in the HP supplement. So I will do just that. For the exact reason that the OP did. If an Engine Blows they can't blame you for using the incorrect oil.

[Ryephile]

The technical reason is to achieve a certain viscosity at the operational temperatures. That's it. Dexos 2's aren't the only oils on Earth that do that.

My counter-point is, using most of those oils will significantly increase wear at anything but high temps.

[Ryephile]

You guys need to look at the facts.

*OP was very early in the session, so oil was not hot yet
*medium RPM's; no money-shift or reason for a bent/thrown rod
*LT1 has comparatively low BMEP; not much stress on bearings, rings, anything

As such, there was either an inherent component failure, or the dealer mis-filled the oil level and it just barely survived his first session.


This engine has been out and about for a couple years now. How many other known failure cases are there?

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

You guys need to look at the facts.

*OP was very early in the session, so oil was not hot yet
*medium RPM's; no money-shift or reason for a bent/thrown rod
*LT1 has comparatively low BMEP; not much stress on bearings, rings, anything

As such, there was either an inherent component failure, or the dealer mis-filled the oil level and it just barely survived his first session.


This engine has been out and about for a couple years now. How many other known failure cases are there?

I personally am not looking over the facts. The thread simply got side tracked on Dexos 2 oils.

I think the OP's failure was likely caused by some sort of dealer negligence.

However if you think for one second that they wouldn't have denied his claim if he had tracked the car without requesting the specific track oil, you are sorely mistaken.

Regardless of if these Dexos 2 oils are the best for track use, GM reccomends it. So I will follow there instructions without hesitation to aviod giving them any excuse to deny fixing my car under warranty should something like this happen to me.

[RUQWIKR]

Originally Posted by mjk3888

I personally am not looking over the facts. The thread simply got side tracked on Dexos 2 oils.

I think the OP's failure was likely caused by some sort of dealer negligence.

However if you think for one second that they wouldn't have denied his claim if he had tracked the car without requesting the specific track oil, you are sorely mistaken.

Regardless of if these Dexos 2 oils are the best for track use, GM reccomends it. So I will follow there instructions without hesitation to aviod giving them any excuse to deny fixing my car under warranty should something like this happen to me.

No way am saying or implying that Dexos 2 is the magic. I am only making the case that it is in writing as recommended by the OEM for track use. As one that wants to keep mine under warranty, not only will it remain stock, it will have the oil that is shown. I'll jump out of this thread, but still want to know:

1) What oil was in the car at the time of the failure?
2) What was the oil temp at the time of the failure? (From earlier posts, sounds like it won't be excessively high)

[Vintage]

I believe either 1) component failure or 2) dealer issue. Thank goodness the PDR was recording. As soon as I hear from the dealer I will let all know.

[seanblurr]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Some of you guys are hanging onto the Dexos2 "cert" as if it contains something magical. It doesn't. Most of the Dexos2's are much too high cold-temp viscosity that will have oil starvation and seriously accelerate wear at cranking and warm-up. Anyone living where the oil is ever below 40°C needs to pay attention to the actual oil specs.

The OP's engine failure was still during warm-up, so the very slight bump in high-temp viscosity of a dexos2 isn't in play here. Find another thing to complain about, the oil isn't the problem here unless there wasn't any due to dealer negligence.

Also, Mobil 1™ ESP Formula 5W-30 is Dexos2, though it's low-temp viscosity is still too high, it's more like a 10W-35.

It has nothing to do with magic, and everything to do with the concern over warranty and using the oil that GM says to.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by seanblurr

It has nothing to do with magic, and everything to do with the concern over warranty and using the oil that GM says to.

At no point did I say otherwise regarding GM's position.

Knowing there's a dichotomy in the situation is important....if the warranty is of any relevance to your personal situation. Given most of us seemed to have bought into that GM will cover the car on-track, using their guidelines as the framework of the coverage, we'll all be following it if we want to play the Warranty game.

Just don't fool yourself by going down the path that "everything GM says is golden". The BMW guys do that enough for all of us.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I believe either 1) component failure or 2) dealer issue. Thank goodness the PDR was recording. As soon as I hear from the dealer I will let all know.

I'm with you on those ideas. You need to get that PDR recording ASAP before the dealer has a chance to "accidentally lose it". Because that's very likely what'll happen if they find out there is only 5 quarts in the sump. If the dealer is at fault, GM's not going to fork over any money to fix the dealer's screw-up. You need to be prepared for that.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

I'm with you on those ideas. You need to get that PDR recording ASAP before the dealer has a chance to "accidentally lose it". Because that's very likely what'll happen if they find out there is only 5 quarts in the sump. If the dealer is at fault, GM's not going to fork over any money to fix the dealer's screw-up. You need to be prepared for that.

Good advice. When I return from business out of town - straight to the dealer.

[MTS2020]

To everyone talking about low oil.....
Let's say there was only 5qts in the engine from the dealer (I'm of the opinion it had the appropriate amount, but that's neither here nor there), wouldn't the oil light come on....like quickly? I'm talking well before he even got it to the track, like before he got very many miles from the dealer the day the oil was changed....

[Vintage]

There was 10 qts listed on the service ticket for which I was charged, I checked the oil at the track, no leaks after first run and no leaks on track for which COTA charges you $$$ if they need to put down chemicals for remediation of fluid issue on track. As it sat off track waiting for safety support, once I was asked to safely exit the vehicle, I took the following pictures. The oil view is what was directly under car as it sat.