2.1ltr petrol engine - oil top up advice

[picklelily]

I have recently got our van and wanted to top up the oil. Having read the wiki technical stuff I think I know what I'm looking for and where to get it. A mineral mulitgrade 15W40 however it does specifically say that you ought not to mix synthetic and mineral oils. How do I know that a synthetic oil wasn't used beforehand by the garage that'd the change back in 2013? I've looked through the service history and although I can see that there was one done, it's not a specialist garage and I have no half bottle in the van to compare. What would be the safest / wisest thing to do in this situation? Is a complete oil change the only option?

[Jawin89]

Change the oil and filter. It would be the only way to guarantee that the oil is the spec advised. If I am reading your post correctly and the last service ( oil change ?) was 2013 it is long over due anyway.

[picklelily]

Yes you are reading my post correctly - that was the conclusion I was coming to tbh. If for some reason it was a synthetic oil used and I drain it all down replace the filter and oil with mineral oil then would the residual be so little as to not matter about it? Or am I being too picky? I know these are rookie questions but I like to be clear.

[Jawin89]

You are being a little picky yes but that's not a bad thing Make sure the engine is warm before you drain the oil as it wil flow easier when warm. Just be careful not get the engine to hot !

As you have recently got the van and the service was a while ago it may be worth giving it a proper service and not just an oil change.

[a1winchester]

Some ‘picky‘ people use flushing oil at an oil change. Maybe not a bad idea in your circumstances?

[silverbullet]

I would just get the engine warm and dump the oil & filter immediately if you suspect it is iffy.
3/4 fill a new filter with fresh 15W40 semi oil and fit it e.g Andrew Page own brand fleet oil.
Refill engine with the same. Change oil bianually or every 8-10k, whichever is sooner.

[picklelily]

thank you people.. very helpful .. there has been various work done on 'Winston' since 2013 but that was the last oil change as far as I can ascertain ..

[Gusbang]

Andrew Page site says 10w40, can't find any 15W40 on there.

https://retail.andrewpage.com/volkswage ... O%40XAJ455" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[picklelily]

thank you - just found the outfit who fitted the re-con engine back in 2011 , so I'll give them a call and see what they use. It seems I have a VW 2.1 T25 Watercooled DJ Transporter Engine - now I know!