Technical Oil change, oil filter and the thermostat problems

[scarfacew3]

Hi,

I do not have any experience with cars...

I think that my Stilo 1.8 16V 2002 (145000KM), 3 Doors needs an oil change. After 3000KM
it consumed about 1L oil, is this normal?
What oil should I use? I see that FIAT is recommending Selenia oil, but it is really expensive. Is there an alternative?

Should the filter be replaced too?

And the third problem is the thermostat. The engine is heating up really slow. If I drive slowly, or when I am in a traffic rush the engine is heating faster, but still not to the normal temperature. After driving a little bit faster the engine gets cold (1/4 of the pointer) again.
Is the thermostat faulty, or could it be something else.

When there is around 10Celsius and more outside, the engine heats faster, what is logical

I found a thermostat from a car parts dealer, he wants around 25Euro, where the official Fiat dealer wants around 70Euro!

I can not remember the name of the cheap thermostat vendor, it was something with a "C"

 

[Andymacselespeed]

You can use any brand of oil as long as it is the right ype for the car. Stick to big brands like Selenia, Castrol, Shell etc. A 10w40 should suit.

When changing the engine oil, you should change the oil filter. It isn't essential if you change oil very frequently, say 3000Km or less, then maybe change the filter every other oil change. If not, change the filter when you change the oil.

The symptoms you describe suggest a stuck thermostat. Try http://www.shop4parts.co.uk they ship overseas I believe and list your thermostat at £35.54. Most motor factors should be able to get you one, but it might need to be ordered in.

 

[scarfacew3]

Thank you for the tips.

I am not really if I should buy the Thermostat for 25Euro, maybe it has bad quality. I found one for 40euro too.

I' am not a fan of online shopping. I like to buy it from a local dealer, it is easier.

Do you have an idea why my Stilo has lost 1L of oil after 3000KM?

The oil bar shows only 1/4 of oil. Is this enough?

 

[Andymacselespeed]

Any thermostat should be okay, usually, the better the quality ofthe part, the longer it will last.

You should have 2 gauges for oil, the left one should show oil pressure which should be at full, the right hand side one is temperature, and with your car fully warmed up should show half. It won't get that warm though if your thermostat is not working properly.

Abarth 2.4 engines can use a lot of oil, up to 1 litre every 1000 miles is okay say fiat. Use a 10w40 oil, and make sure it is topped up to the max mark.

 

[scarfacew3]

Thank you mate.

I changed the oil a few hours ago. I bought Castrol 10W40. The mechanic checked if it is leaking and has nothing found. The oil filter is changed too.

Later I will buy a new thermostat to finally solve my problem.

The fuel consumption should be then less, too, I think.


Do you know how the timing belt is called on Italian? Under the hood is a sticker where I can when the last time the oil has been changed (111000KM) and some other info but I do not know what it means.

 

[Andymacselespeed]

Can't help with that one sorry.

 

[Davren]

Do you know how the timing belt is called on Italian? Under the hood is a sticker where I can when the last time the oil has been changed (111000KM) and some other info but I do not know what it means.

"Cinghia di distribuzione"

 

[scarfacew3]

No problem Andymacselespeed, you helped already a lot.


Thank you Davren for the translation.


If the timing belt is changed with 111000KM, when should it be changed again?

 

[seboni121]

had really good news today stilo will be getting a new timing belt kit and oil change and filter so i went on a moneysaving trip on the web timing belt kit around the £100 then postage, so went to halfords £170 just for the kit so went to a local auto parts store partco timing belt kit £73 5 litres of fully synthetic oil 05-40 £17.99 as was it any good and he replyed most the garages use it very good quality and £5 for a oil filter :slayer::slayer::slayer: and the place im getting the car no extra to do the work how good is that