What oil type for a type IV?, Synthetic or Dino? Options

[Jaiden]

The PO has put synthetic in the case of My Type IV since he got it.

The motor drips a little. Is synthetic to thin? Should I keep going synthetic?

[dmenche914]

synthetic in my 914 and 356, but I do not use it in cars that are big leakers (for economic reasons) nor in my Bug which i have yet to ad an oil filter (hence the oil is changed every 1000-1500 miles) In the 914 I go 3000-4000 max miles on oil changes with the sythetic. I do not like the idea of the claims of 10000 mile life of the oil cuase

our engines tend to run hotter than newer water cooled cars, and the clearances are not as tight so combustion gasses tend to get into the oil. thus I believe the oil is not clean enough after than many miles, or has the potential to be worn out (thats just a hunch on my part) to I will not do 10000 oil changes. I doubt I'd go that far even on a new car (If I ever buy one, like hell will freeze first)

So synthetic is great, it keeps the rockers clean, no dirt build up after 174000 miles of synthetic use on a Vanagon (water cooled 2.1 l) I have never seem a dino engine with the valve covers off look this clean after that many miles.

Sythetic is too expensive however if you do very frequent oil changes, burn or leak excessive oil.

I Run Mobil One 15W50 in my 914, but swithed to Valvoline full sythetic 20W50 in the Vanagon do to low oil pressure (hey, didn't say it was perfect after 174000 miles)

When experimenting with different oils, be sure to have a pressure gage hooked up, it is very useful in determining the correct weight for you driving conditions, and can alert you to problems before they become very expensive problems. An oil temp gage is also nice to have, but pressure I think is the best gage to have if you only run one of the two, as if the oil gets too hot, it will show as a pressure drop. a temp gage will not show a sudden loss in oil pressure until too late.

good luck in you selection.

But do not freak out to much about it, our engines are happy with either type of oil, they like generally the thicker stuff (the thin gas saving oils are too thin, an oil pressure gage will show that). and they really love frequent oil changes (and valve adjustments)
Also 914's are best run with OEM type filters use Mann or Mahle brand and you are safe. Fram brand 914 filters are junk, have had the insides come apart twice on me. The OEM type German filters are built better, have more material in them, and I have never had one come apart on me like the orange Fram filters. I cringe everytime I see an Orange filter hung under a 914 or VW Bus engine.