Oil Brands

[randamonia]

Hi

So having gone through the wiki I know the recommendation is 15W-40 Mineral oil but what brand do you folks generally use (and where from)? I'm struggling to find anything other than CarLube. I guess this is ok but don't mind spending a bit more on the oil if its of any benefit.

Another question - my engine (1.9DG) is a reconditioned unit with about 30K on it - should I be going with the manufacturers recommendation of 10W-40 Semi Synthetic with it being relatively low mileage or still stick with the mineral?

Thanks folks.

[CJH]

I doubt there's much to be gained from spending more on a big brand mineral oil, provided you do regular changes. Many people swear by the Lidl* oil, but it only comes into stock occasionally. I always buy a couple of cans when it's available.

That's a good question about the semi-synthetic - I've been wondering the same myself as I'm building an engine at the moment. It will effectively be a new engine. In another thread that's running at the moment the issue of tappets draining down was mentioned. With new or newish tappets maybe this won't happen with synthetic or semi-synthetic. I'm planning to use mineral at first for running in (as I've heard that synthetic is so good at preventing wear it can prevent the engine bedding in - no idea how true that is but it seems feasible), and then switch to (semi-)synthetic later. If I get tappet problems I'll switch back to mineral.

* I just checked - the Lidl oil "has synthetic additives". Does that make it semi-synthetic? I get noisy tappets with my older engine very rarely, if stood for a couple of weeks.

[ghost123uk]

I get noisy tappets with my older engine very rarely, if stood for a couple of weeks.

Just popped in to say, that is a pretty normal thing to happen to these WBX engines. A good run usually clears it (as I'm sure you know).

[CJH]

I get noisy tappets with my older engine very rarely, if stood for a couple of weeks.

Just popped in to say, that is a pretty normal thing to happen to these WBX engines. A good run usually clears it (as I'm sure you know).

Agreed, thank you. I was using it to suggest that it's not a problem, and that the cheap Lidl oil seems to behave well in my engine. Of course I haven't been using it long enough to know what kind of wear is going on in my engine.......

[AdrianC]

So having gone through the wiki I know the recommendation is 15W-40 Mineral oil but what brand do you folks generally use (and where from)? I'm struggling to find anything other than CarLube. I guess this is ok but don't mind spending a bit more on the oil if its of any benefit.

You will struggle to find anything but cheap mineral these days, unless you spend a big wodge on "classic" oil.

Another question - my engine (1.9DG) is a reconditioned unit with about 30K on it - should I be going with the manufacturers recommendation of 10W-40 Semi Synthetic with it being relatively low mileage or still stick with the mineral?

The only difference between mineral and semi- or full-synth, given the same viscosity and manufacturer specs, is how long they'll last and how well they'll bear up under higher heat. VW's original owner handbook recommended synthetic.

10w40 is a little bit thinner, cold, than 15w40 - but both will be thinner cold than they will be hot. Both are in VW's recommended viscosities.

[CovKid]

Not another oil thread.....

As CJH says, the LIDL one is excellent value and a good quality oil (read the specs on the can). I too buy a couple when they come in. I've never run out by doing that.

In the end, its your vehicle no matter what views/opinions are expressed/recycled on mineral/synthetic. No disrespect intended to anyone.

[California Dreamin]

Big wodge on 'Classic Oil' ?
Shell Helix HX5

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_246" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_246" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although the Lidl stuff is just fine (semi synthetic)

Some users don't suffer with tappet drain down using 10W40 (thinner when cold) but quite a few of us do..you won't cause any damage using 10W40 so it might be worth a punt to see how yours behaves, you can always revert back if you hear 'loud' tappet noises on cold start (noise goes when the engine gets hot).




Martin