I recently heard from a trusted mechanic that mobil 1 changed the formula of their synthetic motor oil. He said that they went with the cheaper process route and made their synthetic motor oil similar to Castrol Syntec. If this is true then Mobil 1 is no longer made from pure PAO stocks and they are just like Castrol Syntec, but they still kept their high price too.

Does anyone know for a fact if this is true?

 

This does not always mean cheaper products. They probably shortened their polymerization time, perhaps using a less expensive, more reactive, easier to control catalysts. I am not sure what type of catalysts they use if any, zeolites perhaps, but there have been so many improvements in the past five years.
But the weird thing is that oil companies still use the "old" production cost breakdown when they market their products to retailers (more money this way of course).

 

whoa this just in....
http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?s=433baab41512221ac2a1fb482488a192& threadid=104349&highlightil

read the posts from Bror Jace, he's the resident motor oil guru

Summary: Mobil 1 oil couldn't pass SJ to become SL oil. The new standard in oil is API SL/ILSAC GF-3. The new standard in oils results in:
Lower volatiliy = up to 40% less oil consumption, catalyst durability
Improved fuel economy & retention of fuel economy benefits = lower fuel costs, better air quality
Improved high temperature deposit control = piston ring cleanliness, longer engine life, improved turbocharger performance
Improved antioxidancy = cleaner engine, better oil pumpability, longer oil life

Mobil 1 brand oil(in it's supposedly superior state it's in) could not pass SJ class to becomes SL/ILSAC GF-3 certified. Bror Jace also had experience with Mobil 1 in his car and he experienced piston slap at 80,000 miles. This shouldn't have happened so early since he had been using mobil 1 ever since 10,000 miles.

 

I can't see the article since I am not registered in HA.net.
Can you paste? Thanks

 

Here is one I found in our database at work.


APA Meeting: Slippery Subject: Mobil 1, Monday, March 25, Detroit Athletic Club.
PR Newswire, March 20, 2002 pDEW01220032002

Full Text
ExxonMobil has come up with a new formulation of its synthetic oil, Mobil 1. Dr. Bruce Crawley, based in Detroit, provides lubricant technical support to all of the vehicle manufacturers in the North American market. Crawley will explain the benefits and differences between this new Mobil 1 and its predecessors. Part of his address on the oily bits will cover new Mobil packaging which will help demystify viscosity grades for consumers. He is also available to answer any questions concerning synthetic and conventional oils in general.

Refreshments begin at 11:30 followed by lunch at noon. Mobil is our host. Remember that coats and ties are required at the DAC. Please park in the DAC garage.

Please RSVP to CONTACT: Rachelle Handschumacher, +1-313-277-5081, for Automotive Press Association.

 

Uh....well, I just bought some qts of Mobil 1 10w-30 earlier this week and it the back said it was API SL.

However, I too have heard from other boards that Mobil 1 isn't really all that and that it too isn't really "true" synthetic.

 

Though this article does not directly cover it, I believe it breifly runs over the subject http://www.bigskyoil.com/compare_oils/compare_oils.html HTH.

 

Yeah, I just went to Wal-Mart and checked out a lot of motor oils. Mobil 1 IS now API SL and ILSAC GF-3 certified. There were some older bottles of mobil 1 where it was API SJ and ILSAC GF-2. Actually many of the current motor oils are now API SL and ILSAC GF-3 certified. The only question now is: Is Mobil 1 still as good as before? What other synthetic oil brand is of good quality?