Technical Which diesel engine oil?

[aeroadster]

I usually run Millers oils for all my cars and was wondering what everyone else was using in their diesels?

I'll be doing an oil change shortly and I'm not entirely sure how "thin" I can go.

Millers do a semi-synth which looks ok, but I was considering a fully synth with a 5W rating. Will I find this is too thin for my seals? Blue smoke perhaps?

I'll ring up Fiat too, but it would be interesting to know what everyone else does.

 

[Agnelli]

Digitech 0W/30 is SELENIA's top-of-the range. Perhaps as good as MOBIL 1(?) It's expensive, but I use it.

 

[aeroadster]

Blimey, 0W is a thin oil.

If it works for you then there should be no problem for me using Millers 5w30 then.

Thanks

 

[PlanetPD]

Hello Aeroadster

Why would you want to use anything thinner, or thicker, than stated in the manual?

Curious to know if there's some benefit I'm missing out on.

Thanks

 

[aeroadster]

I tend to go for a specialist race-engineered oil that can withstand greater levels of sustained performance whilst providing optimum protection for the engine.

I switched over to Millers Oils for both the engine and gearbox a while back on my modified Saab. I can vouch that the after some degree of testing Millers CFS 5w40 performed better than Mobil 1 (0w40 from Costco).

The difference was noticeable to the point whereby even the cabin noise decreased consistently by 2.5 - 3db, as measured by my digital soundmeter.

I take performance fairly seriously, I think it's something to do with being a former engineer and also having a compulsive obsessive disorder!

I won't bore you with the detail but I tested a variety of the Millers CFS variants too and the tuned 9000 preferred the 5w 40.

Their CRX gearbox fluid also convinced me too. It's oodles better than the Saab/GM product. After using the GM product for two changes the difference in the Millers product was instanly noticeable.

I've been so pleased with Millers that I intended to run it on the Multipla, hence the question as to whether anyone was using anything other than standard oil.

TBH, I was very surprised when someone said they were using such a thin oil as a 0w. I am going to do a little more research to see what other 1.9JTD owners are doing since this engine block is used in other vehicle applications.

I will probably end up using the Millers stuff unless there are some serious concerns found. If it's anywhere near as good as their engine oil for Petrol cars, I won't be using anything different going forwards.

 

[missionary]

FWIW - bearing in mind you don't state the current mileage I would be careful if you have not been using pure synth up to now. I know and love the Miller's oils too, but putting a pure synth in after any other oil tends to scavenge all the varnish and build-up in the engine. I have even seen this on better built Japanese diesels. The rsult can be that previously oil tight seals can start to weep as they are now 'clean' using the new oil.

Yes, the engine will benefit I agree, but the risk of having to renew both crankshaft end seals is there.

cheers
mish

 

[Hellcat]

Better built Japanese diesels?

Ran Millers XFD in the Marea 2.4 JTD and Bravo 1.9JTD without issue.

 

[missionary]

In a word

t o y o t a

My last one was a 1HZ 6 cylinder 4.2 litre with 265,000 and never had the head off, but still doing 30mpg in an HZJ80 which has now gone on an expedition to Ethiopia.

I will leave my lecture on Mitsubishi engines for another time ;o)

My screen name might just give away what I do for a living. I have been responsible for aid agency fleets for some years, and all roads lead to Toyota in the end. Even the tight fisted UN use their basic military spec models for their work.

The new range of D4D engines in the Hi-Lux pickups is also in the same class as the 6 cylinder engines too.

But I can make do with my JTD until I find any serious flaw !

cheers
mish

 

[Hellcat]

1.9 fiat TD - 45mpg, 100hp, 300,000+ miles and abused with SVO before the car around it rotted. Think there is a Doblo gone further and not needed anything to do with the engine replacing - apart from a couple of cluthes.

 

[Ffoxy]

My FIAT dealer advises me they now use Castrol Magnatec instead of Selenia, and as they wont shift down any more from £285 (from £350) for a full service I am going independent for £120 with all filters changed and service counter re-set by them with oil of my choice. Apparently their Silver Service is petrol cars only and the bronze is just an oil and oil filter change for £130.

Bug*er that. I can do the checks myself very competently and I got no alarms or warnings for Examiner to check.

My mates 3 series BMW had its 30k miles service yesterday for £120 at a BMW dealer, why should FIAT be SO much more?

 

[the frog]

My FIAT dealer advises me they now use Castrol Magnatec instead of Selenia, and as they wont shift down any more from £285 (from £350) for a full service I am going independent for £120 with all filters changed and service counter re-set by them with oil of my choice. Apparently their Silver Service is petrol cars only and the bronze is just an oil and oil filter change for £130.

Bug*er that. I can do the checks myself very competently and I got no alarms or warnings for Examiner to check.

My mates 3 series BMW had its 30k miles service yesterday for £120 at a BMW dealer, why should FIAT be SO much more?

My FIAT Dealer also uses Magnatec which I wasn't happy about.