Technical confused over which oil

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Technical confused over which oil

Jon S

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Dec 22, 2014
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This is an age old question but with higher miles and a couple of "limp homes" I'm wondering if I could revisit this for further opinion?
I have a 2014 TA 4x4 now at 82k miles.
The handbook says 5/40 oil to be used but fiat now recommend 0/30- I've checked this with the dealer and the selenia website (Due to Euro 6 emmisions I believe)
I had the oil changed 2 months ago with 0/30 and in the last few weeks it has gone into limp mode with a "low oil pressure" warning flashing up (my wife was in the car and thinks this is what it said). the car ran fine after turning off and on again.
So could it be that now it has a few miles on it, the 0/30 isn't thick enough to keep the pressure up?
Or do I need to look somewhere else?
Many thanks
Jon
 
Sorry Jim, it's not clear to me and I would value your opinon, what would you do? and why?
Thanks
Jon
 
That's what I thought, if anyone else has any opinions though I'm happy to be re-educated- especially if you think I need to look for other causes of low oil pressure
 
Well I assume so but looking back - the fiat garaged started using 0/30 in 2016 and I've used an independent since then assuming they knew which oil to use but I haven't challenged them about it.
 
This is an age old question but with higher miles and a couple of "limp homes" I'm wondering if I could revisit this for further opinion?
I have a 2014 TA 4x4 now at 82k miles.
The handbook says 5/40 oil to be used but fiat now recommend 0/30- I've checked this with the dealer and the selenia website (Due to Euro 6 emmisions I believe)
I had the oil changed 2 months ago with 0/30 and in the last few weeks it has gone into limp mode with a "low oil pressure" warning flashing up (my wife was in the car and thinks this is what it said). the car ran fine after turning off and on again.
So could it be that now it has a few miles on it, the 0/30 isn't thick enough to keep the pressure up?
Or do I need to look somewhere else?
Many thanks
Jon

Can it be assumed that you have checked the oil level? (Sorry to ask the obvious! That dipstick is not much use as a device for indicating oil level after all!).

If it's at the right level are you sure it's truly "limp mode" induced by the engine management system or is it the TA running on one cylinder induced by the Uniair module being unhappy? The Uniair module uses the engine oil to control valve timing and is somewhat sensitive to oil issues.

Assuming that the oil filter was changed at the same time?
 
Yep - oil filter changed at the same time.
I did check the oil level and you are right it's difficult to tell where it is on the dipstick especially with clean thin oil so I will check again tonight but it did seem to be up to the mark and I don't want to overfill it.
whatever happened to proper metal dipsticks?
:bang:
 
I don't know if it was in limp mode or if it was the uniair module- my wife said it became very sluggish and sounded really rough but was fine after turning of and on again so I assumed this rest things and (maybe unfairly) blamed the limp mode.
Is there a way of checking if the uniair module is working OK?
 
I'm just wondering if it could be the oil pressure switch?

If it was that, would it just give low pressure warning light, or would it also put the car into limp mode?
 
Oil switch allegedly pig to get to. Need to find good independent Fiat specialist.

Need to find out what sort of guarantee you'd get on the work done if didn't cure it. 82k fair life for the Uniair to me. Could be 4 figure repair though. Not sure worth it.
 
Hi.
If the car is in good condition with no other issues of course its worth getting it repaired.
Trying to sell a faulty car will result in getting peanuts in either a private sale or a trade in assuming they test drive it.
Having to lash out a good few grand for another car doesn't make much sense in this Covid ridden world at the moment. A new uniair module and then using the new spec of oil and more regular oil and filter changes and the car should run for many many years.
 
that's more optimistic!
TBH it is still running well - these odd blips have only happened a few times in the last 2 months, I don't think I made that clear at the start- my apologies.

Has anyone on here had a uniair failure? Is this how it presents?
Is there a way of checking?
If I keep running it as is and the uniair is a problem- will that damage the engine due to low oil pressure or is it just saying low oil pressure as it is misreading?

Plan A was simply to change the oil back to 5/40 and get a new Fiat oil filter and see if this cures the problem. I'm a bit worried with all these message that this is like driving a ticking time bomb! :confused:
 
Blimey that’s a bit bleak!

Maybe get the error codes checked at a dealer? I had the rough running etc at around 50k miles and my non-dealer workshop went down the classic ignition system issues (plugs, coil packs etc) before throwing his hands in the air and taking it to a dealer. Uniair module was at fault and cost then around £450 plus the labour on top.

I experienced a clutch failure shortly after that which I attributed to all the slipping of the clutch required when running on one cylinder...

Let's hope its something way more innocent :)
 
Allegedly there is a filter in the uniair module that clogs up. I'm sure some here have removed it and cleaned it.
I believe it's fiddly, worth trying IMHO.

There is a very good description on here somewhere of that UniAir Oil filter cleaning process and it's pretty simple. If it hasn't been cleaned in 82,000 miles then it's very likely to need it. Moreover, changing from 5/40 to a 0/30 will require a reset of the UniAir Module Calibration, as the ECU needs to be told to check the operating parameters off the UniAir bits, which can only be done with MES unfortunately. Either way, I'd definitely check both those things are done before launching into something much more expensive.....

Quick Search revealed this https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/454649-twinair-valve-actuator-oil-filter.html
 
Well I assume so but looking back - the fiat garaged started using 0/30 in 2016 and I've used an independent since then assuming they knew which oil to use but I haven't challenged them about it.

Hi

82k.. does it 'use oil'?

If it does you certainly dont want the thinner option


Mine is on 56k.. but doesnt use a drop of 5/30..
It has only ever seen FIAT/Alfa specialists.. as they have the correct kit to reset all the parameters for fresh oil

Dipstick..

Lay it on kitchen towel.. you will see how broad an oily mark is deposited ;)

Charlie
 
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