What I am saying is from experience. Mitch's theory is ok, but
sometimes theories get blown to bits in the real world.
In really cold weather, the 15W-50 is like molasses on a cold day, and
makes for hard starting. My OM603s did OK with the 10-40 stuff, back
when it was real M1 and had enough zinc. But I tried the 5W-40 and got
rattly lifters (not a problem with the iron heads, but still signals
that the oil is too thin.) Also, the oil consumption went way high
with the 5w-x stuff, but was back to nothing with the 15W-50.
All y'all are free to put whatever ya want in yer engine. I'm just
'splainin what happens with an OM603 in real cold. As Herr Doktor
Booth said: OM603s and its 4 and 5 cyl versions are happy with 15w-50 M1
with high zinc, down to about -10F. Below that gets iffy. the watery
stuff causes lifter problems, and that is close enough to a lubrication
problem for me to say NO.
All y'all are free to put whatever ya want in yer engine.
If you can plug in your engine heater all winter, every time, then
15w-50 is great year round. You just have to keep it at 0 or above for
good starting. (assuming 425 PSi compression)
Now that mobil is selling dino as M1, in most weights, but perhaps not
the 15W-50, that is all the more reason to find REAL synthetic 15w50 for
your OM603 diesel, or at least use Real Dino oil with high zinc (Delo
or Delvac).
I still run Dino Delo or Delvac in the iron heads with more frequent
changes due to higher soot levels. 10W-40 is good.
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