Technical Engine oil

[Planeboy]

Hi everyone
I would like advice on which engine oil is of better quality between shell helix plus 10w40 semi synth or valvoline durablend 10w40 semi synth
Its for an oil change of 2002 fiat seicento 1.1mpi
Please dont advice selenia 20k as its not sold or available from agents in S.A
Thanks to everyone willing to give advice always. Great website

 

[rallycinq]

I would guess that the API numbers are the same and therefore the same spec.

Either will do fine.

Cheers

D

 

[Planeboy]

Thanks rallycinq. i guess they are the same, what i actually want to know is who uses a higher quality base stock. which oil does have the better cleaning agents etc. i read castrol magnatec is of a lower quality base stock compared to other semi synth. so i guess my question is to someone knowing of behind the scene of oil making. a lot of advertising go into castrol and the opinion is they overcharge on lower quality of oil to make up for the advertising compain. thats the opinion i read of magnatec cause its not made of a high quality oil to begin with. So shell or valvoline who has the highest quality oil and which is going to give me best protection and value for money

 

[rallycinq]

The oil comes out the same hole in the ground, or the sea, as the case may be.

I don't think it matters one jot which you use as long as you change the oil regularly.

Cheers

D

 

[beecon]

Using a cheaper oil and changing regularly will do more good than buying expensive oil and changing not quite as often.

That said, I run Mobil Super S 10w40 as it's not much more than the cheap stuff over here.

I wouldn't worry about oil choice too much so long as its's 10w40 semi synth

 

[fingers99]

Thanks rallycinq. i guess they are the same, what i actually want to know is who uses a higher quality base stock. which oil does have the better cleaning agents etc. i read castrol magnatec is of a lower quality base stock compared to other semi synth. so i guess my question is to someone knowing of behind the scene of oil making. a lot of advertising go into castrol and the opinion is they overcharge on lower quality of oil to make up for the advertising compain. thats the opinion i read of magnatec cause its not made of a high quality oil to begin with. So shell or valvoline who has the highest quality oil and which is going to give me best protection and value for money

Much of the slagging off of magnatec is by a spambot who works for another oil company (one you've never heard of) -- doesn't mean he's wrong, but...... I find it fine, and have used more or less every oil Castrol produced at some time or other (from 2 stroke through Castor, GP50, etc....).

As said, use 10 or 15/40 semi synth and as long as it meets or exceeds the specs it'll be just fine. Frequent oil and filter changes will help, especially if lots of stop go/small trips etc.

 

[Planeboy]

Hi guys, i spoke to someone at fiat according to him they only use full synthetic oil of 5w40 grade. i had a reply a while back telling me it might be to thin for my engine. anyone using a 5w40? and if so how is oil consumption? at moment i never top up between services dont use any oil. if 5w40 is fine ill be going for shell helix ultra. i dnt mind paying extra for the protection if it will be fine in engine. on lubematch it also showed 5w40. i just need to make sure i wont be using oil then. and apparently when using synth i cant go back to semi-synth. is this true?
Thanks for all your knowledge

 

[rallycinq]

A cento engine is pretty old tech. I use 5W50 fully synth in the rally car, but thats a pretty harsh environment. The engine does use oil, not lots, but it does use it.

I have finished an event with the temp guage needle wrapped round the end stop and the oil didn't caramelise.

I use 10W40 semi synth on my road cars, I don't see the point in paying extra for something you don't need.

Better to spend the money on an extra oil change

Cheers

D

 

[fingers99]

and apparently when using synth i cant go back to semi-synth. is this true?

It's absolute rubbish. You shouldn't go from using a castor to a mineral oil base or vice versa, without taking special measures, but I can't see any reason not to go from synth to semi-synth and back again.

As rallycinq intimates, the stock Cento engine -- in stock states of tune -- isn't exactly a highly stressed powerhouse. Plain old semi synth will do fine.