Technical New oil and Filters

[Adam1984]

Hello,

So I had a full service done on my Panda 1.2 petrol the other day, and I don't think they did the oil, it's Castrol which they used (if they did) my oil still looks very dark when I check it.

Anyway of telling, or for peace of mind just get a oil drain and new refill? They done the oil filter though I believe. (Again any way to check?)

I only ask as I still get a rough idle shake from my driver seat when I turn engine on, but maybe this could be a faulty fuel injector?

Please advise and help

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Very unlikely they didn’t do it….

How far has it been driven since the service? Oil can darken quickly. You should see where they cleaned around the drain plug. And the filter housing too.

There’s a chance they ‘drained’ the oil by sucking it out via the dipstick tube (using a vacuum extractor), which can leave some sludge in the sump. But very few garages do that these days.

 

[Adam1984]

Very unlikely they didn’t do it….

How far has it been driven since the service? Oil can darken quickly. You should see where they cleaned around the drain plug. And the filter housing too.

There’s a chance they ‘drained’ the oil by sucking it out via the dipstick tube (using a vacuum extractor), which can leave some sludge in the sump. But very few garages do that these days.

How do I check the drain plug and the filter housing? What am I looking for?

Thanks

 

[ZaphodB]

How do I check the drain plug and the filter housing? What am I looking for?

Thanks

Get down on the floor, and look for the sump oil pan (at the bottom of the engine)
Somewhere round the base of that pan is what looks like a hex bolt.
If the changed the oil there will be fresh oil residue (or look freshly cleaned where they've recently wiped it with a rag) around that area

 

[Adam1984]

Get down on the floor, and look for the sump oil pan (at the bottom of the engine)
Somewhere round the base of that pan is what looks like a hex bolt.
If the changed the oil there will be fresh oil residue (or look freshly cleaned where they've recently wiped it with a rag) around that area

This is a picture I took from underneath I can't get under there. Can you see anything here?

 

[ZaphodB]

You need to get your head right down on the floor, from the side, from the front, until you see the oil pan/sump (plain steel box at bottom of engine)

Right down on the floor, you're not even trying yet


Look under the car from one wheel over to the other.

** Unless there's an undertray in the way , then you'd probably need to remove that first depending how much front end it covers up, but even so the screws/bolts on this undertray should be freshly disturbed if oil change has occurred

 

[Mike1alike]

Like this...

 

[Adam1984]

Like this...

Been done can you see?

 

[Mike1alike]

It looks like oil wasn't changed recently.

 

[Adam1984]

But the filter looks like it was?

So annoying...

It looks like oil wasn't changed recently

 

[Panda IIs]

But the filter looks like it was?

So annoying...

If the previous oil changes had been missed then your new oil would discolour pretty quickly since no oil change empty's 100% of the sump/engine contents; only with a regime of multiple short oil changes will you get it incrementally cleaner - or try an engine flush.

 

[Adam1984]

If the previous oil changes had been missed then your new oil would discolour pretty quickly since no oil change empty's 100% of the sump/engine contents; only with a regime of multiple short oil changes will you get it incrementally cleaner - or try an engine flush.

What does an engine flush do?

I just had my new brake fluid done with transmission fluid too and car feels so much better to drive.

The coolant that was changed too. Only had about 3.5L left in tank and I watched him drain it too and looked like had no colour looked mostly pale and clear. Hmmmm.

So what's best about the engine oil, the filter is new just not sure if did the oil as it was a mobile mechanic, I contacted him since. But they haven't replied.

 

[ZaphodB]

What does an engine flush do?

It dilutes/thins the fluid in the sump (it's thinner than normal oil) and (hopefully) allows more of the old sticky/lumpy residues of what was oil to be drained out.
All oil has to slowly drain out of the "plug hole" of the sump when the oil is changed.
A thinner fluid will flow out better.

It's only used as a rinsing agent if you like... you shouldn't need it if the normal schedule of oils changes has been done.

(A bit like grabbing a gulp of water after brushing your teeth to get the toothpaste rinsed effectively.)

 

[Adam1984]

It dilutes the fluid in the sump and (hopefully) allows more of the old sticky/lumpy residues of what was oil to be drained out.
All oil has to slowly drain out of the "plug hole" of the sump when the oil is changed.

It's only used as a rinsing agent if you like... you shouldn't need it if the normal schedule of oils changes has been done.

(A bit like grabbing a gulp of water after brushing your teeth to get the toothpaste rinsed effectively.)

So can I do an engine flush now even if my so called oil has been changed? Or would I need to do a flush and then top up with new oil?

 

[ZaphodB]

You'd need a flush , a drain and then a fill with the normal oil.

It's a very temporary additiive to loosen up sludge (which will come out when you drain it)

Engine flush is a hotly debated topic, ideally with on-time normal oil changes you don't ever need a flush.

Several on-time normal oil changes will do virtually /effectively the exact same thing.

And that's what I'd (personally) do rather than use a flush, just change the oil now, then you know for certain where ground zero is.

 

[Adam1984]

You need a flush , a drain and then a fill with the normal oil.

Engine flush is a debated topic, ideally with on-time normal oil changes you don't ever need a flush.

Several on-time normal oil changes will do virtually /effectively the exact same thing.

And that's what I'd (personally) do rather than use a flush, just change the oil now, then you know for certain where ground zero is.

Thank you.

So if I get the oil drained now, and replaced. Just for peace of mind. Would the new filter still be ok, or need to get a new one too? What engine oil you recommend?

 

[ZaphodB]

For the (low) cost of a new filter , I'd change that too.

 

[Adam1984]

For the (low) cost of a new filter , I'd change that too.

How do I know which variant to go for my car. I put my reg in on Euro Car Parts and it says there are two variants for my vehicle.

I have a 2015, 1.2 petrol.

 

[ZaphodB]

Show me the part numbers returned by that search

Or put your reg up (it's not gonna reveal anything about you)

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

It's clearly had a new filter, but it doesn't look like they drained it via the sump plug. (But they may well have done it by sucking it out as I mentioned before... in fact probably had to to take the filter off otherwise you get a big puddle on the floor

If you want peace of mind, its an easy job to do yourself... described here: https://www.fiatworkshop.co.uk/fiat_Panda_Oil_filter_replacement.shtml

But if you don't fancy trying it, I suggest you find a better garage than where you've been already Most tyres places will do an oil change for you if you don't fancy finding a mechanic. For example https://www.kwik-fit.com/servicing/packages/interim-service. You'll probably be able to watch them do it too.