Motul 3100 vs Motul 5100

These oils are semi-synthetic developed using Technosynthese technology reinforced by Ester stocks. They are compatible with 4-stroke engines only.

The primary concern of Motul 3100 Gold 4T is to ensure thorough engine cleaning meanwhile Motul 5100 4T’s major preference is to provide smoother catalytic converter working.

The presence of lighter molecules in an adequate amount in Motul 3100 helps it to avoid prior oil combustion. Significant quantities of detergents further provide this oil an upper hand in restricting sludge production ensuring proper engine functioning.

The viscosity index of the oil is also on the higher side which allows it to perform normally without going through any viscosity variation.

The lower pour point temperature of the product makes sure that it will perform dominantly in chilly situations as well. The presence of anti-wear agents in excessive quantities assists it to provide shielding against engine deterioration.

On the other hand, the Motul 5100 possess primary wear-resisting compounds in minimal amounts which help them to produce less ash which in turn leads to more dominating catalytic converter functioning.

Detergents and dispersants are added to this oil in good numbers to ensure decent engine cleansing. High kinematic viscosity at standard temperature ensures its commendable performance in the respective situations.

The performance of this oil is also quite superb in colder situations due to its low pour point temperature. Wear reducing compounds are also present in nominal concentrations helping to restrict engine parts’ movement against one another. The bases are excessively added to the oil in order to enhance its longevity.   

DetailsMotul 3100 Gold 4TMotul 5100 4T
Vehicle CompatibilityMotorcyclesMotorcycles
ColorAmberAmber
Engine Type4-stroke4-stroke
Oil originSemi-syntheticSemi-synthetic
Accessible Viscosities20W-50, 15W-50, 10W-40, 10W-3020W-40, 20W-50, 15W-50, 10W-30, 10W-40
API StandardsSLSL/ SH/ SG/ SJ/ SM
JASO StandardsMAMA2
QualityTechnosyntheseTechnosynthese

Oil’s Performance with the Catalytic Converter

The formulation of ash after burning of anti-wearing agents mainly compounds of zinc along with phosphorus causes the catalytic converter to stop functioning. So, the oil comprising greater quantities of anti-wearing supplements would ultimately prove to be less effective in terms of catalytic converter working.

3100 as compared to 5100 consists of these wear reduction compounds in excessive amounts therefore the problem of ash formation is higher in this oil.

Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the catalytic converter utilizing 5100 is much greater due to its lower concentrations of wear-resisting compounds.

Motul 5100
Motul 5100

Prior Oil Burn-off Comparison

The pre-combustion of the oil is usually highlighted by the availability of light-weighted molecules in it. The greater their concentrations, the more the chances of oil early burning rise because these molecules would abruptly vaporize allowing it to reach its ignition point sooner than expected. 

Motul 3100 possesses these low-weight molecules in lower amounts thereby the oil is less volatile which allows it to reach its flashpoint at a greater temperature.

Motul 5100 contains these molecules in relatively higher numbers causing it to be less effective than its counterpart in terms of prior oil ignition. Therefore, 3100 is superior in terms of shielding against early oil burn-off.

Oils in Contrast (15W-50)Ignition point Temperature (°C)
Motul 3100 Gold 4T236
Motul 5100 4T232

Comparing Sludge production

When an oxidized oil comes in contact with the impurities such as dust or moisture, it results in the formation of a sludge which is a black viscous gel-type fluid.

The formulation of sludge has negative effects as it hinders the oil proper movement ceasing the whole engine. To mitigate this issue, some additives known as detergents are being added up to the engine oil which helps to lower sludge production.

3100, having greater numbers of detergents, has an extra edge over its rival in case of engine cleansing. On top of that, silicon which is an anti-foaming agent is also present in greater quantity providing better resistance against foaming problems.

5100 in comparison to its counterpart consists of lower detergents concentration. This makes it face the problem of sludge build-up faintly more than that of its competitor. Similarly, the issue of foam production is also greater in this oil due to its lower silicon concentrations.

Therefore, Motul 3100 leads the race in terms of proper engine functioning.  

Analysis of Oil performance

The kinematic viscosity is a characteristic of oil to convey momentum to its other layers. This viscosity has to be greater for the oil to ensure dominant performances in normal as well as higher temperature situations.

The viscosity index is a parameter to estimate the variation in the viscosity the oil undergoes during temperature elevations. The oil having this index greater would experience lesser changes in viscosity and vice versa.

The streaming property of the oil is highlighted by its pour point during lower temperature conditions. The lower this temperature is, the better would be its functioning in colder situations.

The density at 20 o C of Motul 3100 is similar to that of its rival however its kinematic viscosity at 40 o C is marginally lower portraying that the oil will perform less dominantly at this temperature. Conversely, 5100 possesses greater kinematic viscosity at the foregoing temperature.

At an elevated temperature that is 100 o C, both these engine oils have identical kinematic viscosities. The viscosity index of Motul 5100 is slightly lower than its counterpart depicting that it would go through greater viscosity variations.

During extremely cold temperatures, the performance of both these counterparts is almost identical because both these oils share similar pour point temperatures showing their smooth flow during such conditions.    

Oils in Contrast (15W-50)Density @ 20 o C (Kg/m3)Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 o C (mm2/s)Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 o C (mm2/s)Index of Viscosity Pour point (o C)
Motul 3100 Gold 4T0.877137.318.3150-30
Motul 5100 4T0.877138.718.3148-30

Friction Reduction

The continuous contact between metal parts of the engine results in its wearing. In order to overcome this problem, some chemicals called wear-resistant are included in the oil. These chemicals help to develop a thin coating around these moving parts which greatly reduces these interactions. The higher the amount of these additives in an oil, the better will be the resistance against friction.

3100 exhibits excellent wear-resisting properties. This is because of the presence of anti-wear compounds in excessive amounts which aid in developing a firm layer around the engine parts thereby reducing engine deterioration effectively.

Conversely, the quantity of these zinc and phosphorus additives found in Motul 5100 is relatively less. Lower concentrations would ultimately lead to more friction which makes it second to that of its competitor in this regard.

Duration of Oil Interchange

The total amount of base added priorly to the oil is one of the major deciding factors in replacing the oil. It is generally showcased in the form of TBN. The purpose of their addition is to counterbalance the acids which came into being as a result of oil combustion. If the concentrations of these alkaline compounds are found to be greater, the oil would need to be replaced after longer time periods.

Motul 3100 has a lower TBN as it comprises smaller amounts of these bases. Therefore, this oil is needed to be interchanged frequently in relevance to its competitor.

5100 in contrast to Motul 3100 possesses a significant quantity of bases which enables this oil to have a low frequency of oil replacement. Thus, this oil is ahead of its counterpart when it comes to longevity.

Oils in Contrasts (15W-50)Total Base Number (mg KOH/g)
Motul 3100 Gold 4T6.5
Motul 5100 4T7.5

Summary

  • Both these fluids are semi-synthetic.
  • 5100 is ahead when it comes to catalytic converter working.
  • The lower lightweight molecules present in 3100 enable it to provide greater resistance against quick oil combustion.
  • The excess concentrations of detergents in 3100 produce less sludge compared to its competitor.
  •  The lower viscosity index of Motul 5100 causes it to have more viscosity changes upon temperature fluctuations.
  • 3100 possesses wear-reduction compounds in significant amounts providing better shielding against friction.
  • The significant number of bases added to the 5100 decreases its frequency of oil-changing.
  • 3100 is available at a cheaper price making it a more economical option along with providing dominant overall performance.