MB W124 250D -92 - Shell HX7 or Shell Helix Ultra?

[Finn]

Hey.

I have this 1992 Mercedes W124 non-turbo 250D. It has appr. 150k miles on the clock. My daily total commute is 75 miles highway driving and the limit is mostly 60 mph. OCI is manufacturer recommended 6200 miles (10000 km).

I'm currently using Finnish fully synthetic Teboil Diamond Diesel 5W-40. Oil usage is very little, maybe half a quart or so during OCI.

Shell motor oils have been praised a lot here at BITOG and I would like to test both Shell Helix HX7 and Helix Ultra, both in 5W-40. I know I should just keep using the Teboil but Shell oil is an unturned stone, I guess. I have read from several sources that Shell oils thin-out a lot and tend to foam. Guess I need to see this myself.

I tried earlier Valvoline Syn Power 5W-40 but that oil tired completely at around 4500 miles and started to disappear rapidly.

Any ideas if the semi-synthetic HX7 should "last" for the OCI?

Any ideas if the Ultra would do OK?

 

[Johnny]

I don't know anything about the HX7 product, but I do know the Helix Ultra would be up to the task. Very good oil.

 

[Finn]

Thanks Johnny, much appreaciated.

Sorry to ask this but is the Ultra foaming just an urban legend? I mean I haven't seen oil foaming since the 80's.

 

[Johnny]

Until you said this, this is the first time I've ever heard of it foaming. I would say it is an urban legend.

 

[JHZR2]

Does the 250d have a trap oxidizer or other similar emissions control? If not, I'd run whichever have the stoutest diesel additive package. Not sure which of the two shell products does.

I'd probably stick with the Finnish product, but if you have the itch, so be it.

Can you give more info on the specs of each?

 

[Finn]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Until you said this, this is the first time I've ever heard of it foaming. I would say it is an urban legend.

That is very good information. Thanks Johnny.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Does the 250d have a trap oxidizer or other similar emissions control? If not, I'd run whichever have the stoutest diesel additive package. Not sure which of the two shell products does.

I'd probably stick with the Finnish product, but if you have the itch, so be it.

Can you give more info on the specs of each?


The Benz has practically no emissions controls what so ever. Old school 5 cylinder pre-chamber diesel.

If only Shell Rotella T6 would be available here that's what I would run.

Shell Helix HX7 5W-40
API SL/CF, ACEA A3/B3/B4, BMW Longlife 98, Ford M2C-153E, MB 229.1, PSA E/D, VW 502.00/505.00, GM-LL-B-025, Rover.

Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40
API SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3/B4, VW 503.01/502.00/505.00, MB 229.5, BMW Longlife 01, PSA E/D, Renault RN 0710, FIAT 9.55535Z2, Porsche, Ferrari.

Teboil Diamond Diesel 5W-40
API SJ/CF, ACEA A3/B3, MB 229.1, VW 505.00/505.01

I unfortunately do not have further info on these oils.

Come next oil change I will try Shell, first HX7 and then Ultra.

-----------------------------

Just realised that this is not in the diesel engine department. Sorry.

 

[Johnny]

According to the info you've listed, the HX7 looks closer to the Teboil than the Ultra does. Let us know how that works out.

 

[Finn]

For some odd reason I hope HX7 would do well - it's semi-synthetic or so and probably closer to what was available in early 90's than Ultra. I might use Ultra in my roller cammed C4 Vette, too.

It will take some time before I change to HX7 but I'll resurrect this topic with comments.

 

[jaj]

I just tracked down the latest MB oil recommendation for the OM600 engines (you have an OM617 I believe) and it's 229.3 or 229.5, which suggests the Ultra is better than the other 2.

Of course they'll all probably work fine.

 

[JHZR2]

I'm a 616 and 617.952 driver... Previous generation MB diesel. I run 5w-40 HDEO that is API CJ-4 rated.

I'd personally prefer to have the latest diesel-rated add pack. IMO ACEA B3 in latest iterations aren't necessarily suited for older IDI engines as much, whereas the API C spec latest oils need to service the commercial fleet of IDi diesels which there are LOTS on the road.

That's my opinion, works well for my w123 diesels.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: jaj
I just tracked down the latest MB oil recommendation for the OM600 engines (you have an OM617 I believe) and it's 229.3 or 229.5, which suggests the Ultra is better than the other 2.

Of course they'll all probably work fine.


Believe he is an OM602 user. 617 is W123 and the MB bevo site no longer lists it.

 

[Kees]

quartz energy 9000 5w40 is mb 229.5 certified ! and cheap also do a search on it !

 

[uart]

It's interesting to see the variation in formulas in different markets. Here in Australia we get the same ultra 5W40, but the HX7 is here only 10W40 or 15W40. The 5W40 ultra is a better oil, but it's over twice the price of the HX7 10w40 here. I've used the 10W40 HX7 a few times and it seems pretty good.

BTW. How do the prices of the 5W40 HX7 and ultra compare in Finland?

 

[supercity]

15w40 is HX5 and for some reason only SL rated

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: supercity
15w40 is HX5 and for some reason only SL rated

Whoops my mistake, I meant to say 15W50 (not 15W40).

Around here the HX7 comes in three flavors.

1. HX7 10W40
2. HX7-K 15W50
3. HX7-AJ 10W30

The 10W40 seems to be the most popular variety.