Hi folks,
I've recently had a lot of trouble with my supercharged HSV with an LS3 motor in it and wanted to get some opinions from those in the know.
Short version for those that don't want to read my thesis below: could viscosity of oil cause engine running problems? (misfire, stalling, blowing smoke).
I had these issues with Mobil1 5W30, and now the problem has gone away with Castrol Edge 10W60.
Long version: I have an HSV Clubsport with an LS3 engine. Recently I had a supercharger fitted and tuned by a pro.
The car ran well after the install for 2 days, then started blowing a little bit of smoke. I took it back to the tuner who plugged in his laptop, he said the MAP sensor seems fine and all other variables are doing what they should.
While he was looking at the car, it got worse and started misfiring, stalling and running very rough at idle.
Then it wouldn't start at all. Seemed like an electrical problem as the dash would light up and gauges would jump all over the place. We had to get it towed to a dealership who replaced the alternator under warranty. While it was there I had them change the oil and filter, I have always put Mobil 1 in it myself and assume they do so too as its recommended by the manufacturer (possibly they're putting cheaper oil in though).
I took the car back and it was ok for a couple hours when it started blowing heaps of smoke, stalling, running rough again.
Back to the tuner I go and he asks me to leave it with him for a few days to investigate.
He tested the injector harnesses, valve stems, did a compression test, tested all electrical connections, checked the catalytic converters - all seemed fine.
Then he finally decides to check the oil and noticed its almost like water. He puts Castrol Edge 10W60 in it and a new filter, and its been fine ever since. He doesn't see how changing the oil could fix this problem, and neither can I. But.... the car is running nicely and has done for about a week (over 1,000 kms).
Mobil 1 is what's used from factory and I'm sure there's thousands of engines like mine running it. Even the GTS (Chevy LSA) version of my car uses Mobil 1 and that's supercharged from factory.
My car is running 8.5 pounds of boost.
I've recently had a lot of trouble with my supercharged HSV with an LS3 motor in it and wanted to get some opinions from those in the know.
Short version for those that don't want to read my thesis below: could viscosity of oil cause engine running problems? (misfire, stalling, blowing smoke).
I had these issues with Mobil1 5W30, and now the problem has gone away with Castrol Edge 10W60.
Long version: I have an HSV Clubsport with an LS3 engine. Recently I had a supercharger fitted and tuned by a pro.
The car ran well after the install for 2 days, then started blowing a little bit of smoke. I took it back to the tuner who plugged in his laptop, he said the MAP sensor seems fine and all other variables are doing what they should.
While he was looking at the car, it got worse and started misfiring, stalling and running very rough at idle.
Then it wouldn't start at all. Seemed like an electrical problem as the dash would light up and gauges would jump all over the place. We had to get it towed to a dealership who replaced the alternator under warranty. While it was there I had them change the oil and filter, I have always put Mobil 1 in it myself and assume they do so too as its recommended by the manufacturer (possibly they're putting cheaper oil in though).
I took the car back and it was ok for a couple hours when it started blowing heaps of smoke, stalling, running rough again.
Back to the tuner I go and he asks me to leave it with him for a few days to investigate.
He tested the injector harnesses, valve stems, did a compression test, tested all electrical connections, checked the catalytic converters - all seemed fine.
Then he finally decides to check the oil and noticed its almost like water. He puts Castrol Edge 10W60 in it and a new filter, and its been fine ever since. He doesn't see how changing the oil could fix this problem, and neither can I. But.... the car is running nicely and has done for about a week (over 1,000 kms).
Mobil 1 is what's used from factory and I'm sure there's thousands of engines like mine running it. Even the GTS (Chevy LSA) version of my car uses Mobil 1 and that's supercharged from factory.
My car is running 8.5 pounds of boost.