Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Sept 6, 2004 11:53:38 GMT
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Was having a look through the service history for my Golf yesterday (have only had it for a week) and noticed that at some services it has been filled with semi-synthetic oil and sometimes fully synthetic.
I may be talking rubbish (again!) but I thought I heard that once you have used synthetic you cannot go back to mineral. I don`t see why not tho`.
It has done 120,000 miles and is still very oil tight (its the 1.6 carb version). I was thinking as I wind up the miles, I should start thinking about using a heavier grade oil.
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Last Edit: Sept 6, 2004 12:04:03 GMT by Kris
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Sept 6, 2004 12:21:33 GMT
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I'd stick with semi-synthetic, use Quanta/quantum (?) semi-synth from GSF or VW dealer, it's in a silver container and about £10 - £15 for 5 litres. Also, always use a genuine VW oil filter with a non-return valve in it, they are only a few quid. No reason to go towards heavier oil unless some is getting past the piston rings or valve stem steals, doesn't sound like it is. Anyway, 120k is just run in... ;D
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Sept 6, 2004 12:42:52 GMT
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Sept 6, 2004 15:27:27 GMT
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Looks nice, I used to have a J-reg 'Ryder' which is very similar, same engine as yours. Then I got into GTI's and suddenly was on first name terms with the petrol station and my insurance company...
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Sept 6, 2004 16:09:35 GMT
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for a very technical answer ask for 'Grayed-out' on miniclassic, he's an engineer working for Lubrizol. deals with oil testing for a living. very nice man too .
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Which oil?DarrenW
@darrenw
Club Retro Rides Member 74
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Sept 6, 2004 16:27:49 GMT
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Not sure about your engine, but for my 16v lump apparently only the Quantum stuff will do... I've got Castrol Magnatec in it now but I got told all sorts of horror stories about that stuff so I'll be changing it again ASAP! here's the thread that got me concerned: www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33847&KW=DarrenW
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Last Edit: Sept 6, 2004 16:30:06 GMT by DarrenW
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Sept 6, 2004 17:28:56 GMT
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Not sure about your engine, but for my 16v lump apparently only the Quantum stuff will do... I've got Castrol Magnatec in it now but I got told all sorts of horror stories about that stuff so I'll be changing it again ASAP! here's the thread that got me concerned: www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33847&KW=DarrenWThat link makes for some very interesting reading indeed, as I work in a VW main dealer I mostly use Castrol magnatec for my own cars as that's what we have on tap and I can get it real cheep if you know what I mean but I think now I'll defianatly consider buying another brand. on another note VW group cars are now on variable servicing intervals which means up to 30,000 miles between oil changes, but having seen the amount of carbon build up in some high milage cars using this set up I'm not convinced and would recomend regular servicing to anyone I know.
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Sept 6, 2004 17:53:09 GMT
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Sounds like good advice to me. Maybe it's just because I'm an Imp owner but I've always thought carelessnes with servicing only ends in tears anyway, that's why I think so many newer cars are ending up in scrapyards now, people are less aware that all machines need maintained, and break if they're ignored, than ever, so they let their cars get to breaking point and then winge when they start using oil or failing to start. Personally I use Castrol GTX Magnatec, as the Imp was designed to run on Castrol GTX when new, so I don't take chances, and buy the best quality oil I can.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Very interesting.
I know Andy Dawson of `Retro-Bloke` fame and he lost quite a few Imp engines in the 70s when using Castrol and wont go ner the stuff now. I use Duckhams 15W40 in the Mini and I think I'll be sticking with Quantum in the Golf!!
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Darren - Castrol in the Golf? No! I hope you are just using that for flushing oil, will do the 16v no good at all and it isn't much use in 8v's either.
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Which oil?DarrenW
@darrenw
Club Retro Rides Member 74
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Don't worry Stu - the Castrol won't be in there for more than about 800 miles... Hartwell's didn't have any Quantum in last time I went so I bought the Magnatec, figured it was better than no fresh oil at all! I'll be changing it again soon. Interestingly, it has quietened down a noisy tappet quite well, and runs about 5 degrees cooler (oil temp) on motorways!
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Sept 7, 2004 11:35:43 GMT
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Very interesting. I know Andy Dawson of `Retro-Bloke` fame and he lost quite a few Imp engines in the 70s when using Castrol and wont go ner the stuff now. I use Duckhams 15W40 in the Mini and I think I'll be sticking with Quantum in the Golf!! That is unusual. I've never had any problems as the result of it. I wonder if there are other issues that combine with the type of oil used that can push the engine over the edge. The Imp engine does like to get its own way, and acts up when it doesn't.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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