my first job on the van - oil for 1.6td

[Vanda]

evening all!

I'm hoping to do some work on the van myself for the first time next week (thank you Maxstu!). compared to some of the stuff I read about on here it is really very basic, but heh, we've all got to start somewhere!

I want to change the oil and filter, but not sure what oil to use in my 1.6 TD. I have looked on the wiki but can't seem to find anything this basic. Brickwerk says 14w40 CD. my question is, multigrade, synthetic or semi? any recommended brands - I've heard that Comma is good.

finally, what other basic things could I check while I've got the van jacked up, remembering I'm really very new to all of this? I can look at the air filter, if it had spark plugs I'd look at them! at least I know it hasn't - should I check the glow plugs?

thanks for any advice - I feel so dim asking such basic questions!

[Simon Baxter]

Brickwerks says nothing of the sort!

Brick-Yard may say that though.

I would say 15w40 mineral for a Diesel, Comma is okay as are all of the branded oils, Shell, Castrol etc.
You can't really go far wrong, it will run on pretty much anything but in fairness it's an old engine and semi synthetics and the like weren't invented when your van was new and it's managed okay so far so I see little point on paying silly money for fancy oil.

Remove filter, drain oil, replace copper sump washer if it has one and in poor shape.
replace filter, drop of fresh oil on the rubber seal and screw on hand tight, but about as tight as you can without using tools.
Add 4.5l of engine oil and start it and run at idle (do not rev!) until the oil light goes out.
knock it off and dip the oil, set level as needed.
Diesels don't have spark plugs.

Air filter is easy enough to change with a 13mm spanner.

Fuel filter is also simple enough, make sure to "prime" the new filter with fresh fuel either by pouring some in or drawing it into the filter with the aid of a vac pump or similar.
Just changing the filter and cranking it over till it fires could result in a flat battery and a street full of white smoke!

[Red Westie]

Agreed.....15W/40 branded, I will add.....one that says FOR Turbo Diesel engines, not simply a motor oil capable of being used in both petrol and diesel engines.
VW used Quantum RED (if you can still find it?) it wasn't overly expensive.
Or perhaps something like:

http://www.autosave-scotland.co.uk/prod ... 9_0_0.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
OR
Castrol GTD 15W/40 like this one on ebay....item number 250358375952

Admitedley this grade IS becoming increasing difficult to find as oils generally get thinner and are designed to last longer to comply with manufactureres extended service intervals.


Martin

[Vanda]

thanks guys - will get myself to the motor factor tomorrow.

little worried about possibility of flat battery and plumes of white smoke though!

will let you know how I get on!

[Red Westie]

As Simon has said, if you change the diesel filter don't fit it 'dry' fill it with clean diesel fuel before installing so that there is the minimum of air in the system, this way the engine will start and run with too much fuss and cranking....no worries.
It helps to have a pint or so of clean diesel ready for this purpose....don't be tempted to use the fuel in the old filter, it looks clean but once you tip it up all sorts crap will appear (water, fine silt, rust etc)
Martin

[Vanda]

thanks for that tip Red Westie.

and sorry Simon, I did mean Brickyard not Brickwerks