spdfrk

just a heads up that there has been a change to the required oil in 991.1 and .2 cup cars. Too little to late for me as I have experienced a premature engine failure shortly after switching to the recommended Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40. The new formula is Mobil 1 C40 GT 0W-40. A technical bulletin was released this morning about the change

38D

For the 992s the X3 seems to still be ok until the new CT40 is out and available. It was the X4 that was specifically said to avoid.

Ted in Rochester

Spdfrk:

Thanks for posting this “ heads-up”. My next email will be to my shop.

Do you know what caused your failure? How many hours before failure?

Thanks again!!

Ted

spdfrk

Hi Ted.

The engine had 60hrs but only a handful of minutes on it when the failure happened after switching to the ESP x3 0-40. I basically scrubbed a new set of tires in and then did 3 laps at pace when i was getting an intermittent oil warning light on the ICD. I had pulled in and the engine was knocking from the bank one side. I have done a leak down and compression test which resulted in good numbers. Comp. was 200 psi across the board and leakdown was averaging anywhere from 2-5% across all cylinders. I have since fired it up on the hoist and isolated the noise to the cylinder head area of bank 1 and am now in the process of removing the engine and tearing it down to inspect and see what the failure is. Will update with findings..

bgiere

I'd be very interested to know. Oil related failures are extremely rare, it would be quite something if the X3 version was responsible as many, many cups were and are using that oil. That said I use Motul 300V 5w40.

Q&A

could it be that you recently spun the car, and ran it backwards a bit, without immediate clutch disengagement ?

This is unfortunately a very common cause of the oil pump to start failing with terminal results

Ted in Rochester

Spdfrk:

Thanks for the detail and the offer to keep us posted.

Do any Rennlisters know if the factory has posted any Bulletins (other than this oil bulletin) that could relate to engine failure?

Thanks.

Ted

carbondan

What a cryptic statement:
"Attention: Mobil 1 will use the well-known green bottle design for the ESP X4 OW-40 oil grade in the
future, which is why there is a risk of confusion. The oil grade ESP X4 OW-40 must NEVER be used in
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991.1/991.2) vehicles. If ESP X4 OW-40 is used there is an acute risk of damage
to engine components. "
Wish they'd be more open about what exactly is the problem, it's almost hard to believe that a small revision change could be catastrophic while many of us run totally different brands of oil in cups over 100 hrs without issue.

bgiere

It's a bit confusing....M1 is a great product for street cars but it makes me suspicious of using M1 in a cup motor regardless....Why not just use Motul, Millers, Redline, Ravenol, etc, etc...There many that are more than Suitable.

powdrhound

Do you have a link to ESP X4 0W40? Only ESP X3 0W40 comes up.