Hi everyone,

17, just started driving, got a 1998 Punto SX60 (3dr, 1.2 petrol), lovely little car.

Unfortunatly it has a minor oil leak in the engine, which means I need to keep checking and topping up. Ive only been driving it a week, and today I went and checked and the oil is right on the minimum marker!

So, just wondering if you have any recommendations on what kind of oil I should use in it.

Aside from this and a small hole in the exhaust it's a brilliant car, and hopefully ill get these two things fixed when it goes for a proper service in Feb (When it's up for MOT).

Cheers guys!
Ben.

Hi, welcome to the forum..

The oil grade you should be using is Semi-Synthetic 10W-40 Oil, i use Halfords brand its cheap and has been doing its job since the last 6 years, if you wanna buy a well known brand thats post to be good quality go for Castrol or something..

Theres a good chance the oil leak is coming from the rocker cover, its common on the 1.2 puntos specialy the 8v engines, only around £10-15 to fix DIY.

About the hole in the exhaust if you can locate it, you could patch it up with special tape or gum that should last you untill feb, having a hole effects your emissions, fuel consumption, performance.

What PuntoPower said!

The Halfrauds own-brand is actually a higher grade than the equivalent Castrol Magnatec semi-synthetic.

But basically use any 10W40, semi-synthetic. If it's semi-synthetic then ANY brand it will be good enough for your car. Just change it once a year/12,000 miles and keep the level topped up.

Get some degreaser on the engine (obviously avoiding the plugs and any electrical components) so you can see the engine. If the leak is coming from the top of the engine it'll be the rocker gasket. This engine does it all the time.

Is your donkey burning oil too (blue/black smoke out the exhuast)? That would account for far more oil than a "mere" leak. By the sound of it your car should be leaving significant drips underneath it.. but you didn't say so, so I'd assume not. If it's being burnt then worn valve guide seals is a possible contender.

A slightly thicker oil (Castrol do GTX and Magnatec in 15W40) or cooler weather will reduce oil burn.

Ralf S.