General wrong engine oil used

[Peter034]

I had my engine oil changed recently by a garage and I am thinking they may have used a "standard oil" where it should be a semi synthetic type.

The oil on the dip stick when cold seems on the thin side, just wondered how important it is to use semi synthetic oil over other oils.

Thanks for any info.

 

[blu73]

ask them what they used.. i would say semi synthetic is considered normal oil though.

If its semi synthetic or fully synthetic it will be ok although you do want at least normal viscosity. If its mineral oil (very much doubt this - car have not used mineral oils for years) then i straight up wouldn't even drive it at all and flush it out. But just ring the garage and ask what they have put in it and what grade it is. I would expect 10w40 semi synth, but it is gonna be alot lighter and if your old oil was really old it will be much thinner too.

 

[g8rpi]

ask them what they used.. i would say semi synthetic is considered normal oil though.

If its semi synthetic or fully synthetic it will be ok although you do want at least normal viscosity. If its mineral oil (very much doubt this - car have not used mineral oils for years) then i straight up wouldn't even drive it at all and flush it out. But just ring the garage and ask what they have put in it and what grade it is. I would expect 10w40 semi synth, but it is gonna be alot lighter and if your old oil was really old it will be much thinner too.

Sorry but this is plain wrong. Synthetic oil is still mineral oil. It's certainly not vegetable oil (e.g. Castrol R). Driving short distance with "standard oil" will not cause a problem
The OP does not say what engine is in his Punto or the year, but if it is a mk1 it does not need special oil. For engines without advanced emissions control the viscosity rating is the most important specification. If that is right, synthetic or semi-synthetic will just give slightly better protection and longer oil life. Not really worth the extra cost on a low stressed engine unless you plan on keeping it for many years.
If it's a newer car with emissions controls it may need a low SAP oil which will be be synthetic or semi-synthetic but these actually give LESS protection than the older blends (conventional, synthetic or semi-synthetic) as they have removed or reduced some of the elements, like sulphur, that provide surface modification lubrication. @Peter034
Tell us the engine type and model year of your Punto and we can give some more accurate advice.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[blu73]

I've not had a punto for years mate... pretty sure all mk1 no matter what engine specifies 10w40 which is why I said that what I expect. I'm no expert on oils but I know all the punto engines say semi synthetic in owners manuals etc.

 

[Peter034]

Hi Blu73 & G8RPI
Thanks for the replies, maybe me being suspicious of garages as to cutting corners/cost for there selves etc.
The car is a Punto 1998 1.2S 8V I intend to keep the Punto going as long as possible so want to be sure I give it a helping hand as much as possible.
My journeys are mostly short i.e. five miles to shops and back occasional longer journey for me would be 45/50 miles, only do about 4K per year.

Thanks for any info.

 

[g8rpi]

Sorry,
cut and past error. I ment for
@Peter034
to tell us what engine and year his Punto is.
I'll resevere judgement on the viscosity until I know the engine, but non synthetic engine oil is sill widely used and readily available.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[blu73]

Fair enough fella. I just never had a car that days to use it and have had lots so I just avoid it.
Like I say though I'm almost 100% all the punto engines are meant to have 10w40. Not that many engines and I know all the Fire engines and the gt use 10w40 and only leaves the 90 which is pretty much same as gt. Oh there is the 1.7 diesel too, that and the 90 are the only ones I never had

 

[flisko]

what about french fries oil?

 

[blu73]

?????

 

[g8rpi]

Hi Blu73 & G8RPI
Thanks for the replies, maybe me being suspicious of garages as to cutting corners/cost for there selves etc.
The car is a Punto 1998 1.2S 8V I intend to keep the Punto going as long as possible so want to be sure I give it a helping hand as much as possible.
My journeys are mostly short i.e. five miles to shops and back occasional longer journey for me would be 45/50 miles, only do about 4K per year.

Thanks for any info.

Hi,
As Blu73 says, that needs a 10W40 viscosity oil. The second number is most important. If they used a non synthetic 10W40 I'd suggest leaving it to the next change. If they used a different grade say a 5W30 I'd get the garage to change it but it's not going to cause any immediate damage. Note that by "standard oil" they may mean "not one of the special (diesel, low SAP VW) specification oils, so it could still be a semi-synthetic 10W40 (which is what I'd recommend for this engine). Ask the garage to show you the container. I've had issues in the past with garages putting "performance" oils in older cars. zero weight in particular can give issues.


Robert G8RPI.

 

[flisko]

whats wrong with 5w30 synthetic, it should be better than semi synthetic 10w40 just thinner

 

[g8rpi]

whats wrong with 5w30 synthetic, it should be better than semi synthetic 10w40 just thinner

It's thinner

If the engine fits and clearances were designed for 10W40, running a lighter oil like 5W30 can result in lower oil pressure, leaks (internal as well as external) and incorrect oil distribution. There can also be issues with self adjusting tappets and tensioners if fitted. Only the original designer(s) will know for sure. I do know that when a main dealer put "modern" lightweight oil in a classic (non Fiat) turbocharged car I used to own it would collect in the turbo when stopped in traffic after a run and result in a huge white smokescreen when I drove off. I was not impressed.
Newer is not always better. As mentioned before the low SAP oils actually have poorer lubricity than the older ones and new additives have had to be developed.


Robert G8RPI

 

[bluejohn125]

For lots of short journeys the oil gets a hard time and needs to be changed at lower mileages, so it's debateable whether it's worth putting a premium oil in or just one that has the right grade and spec.

I agree that a cheap, ordinary oil these days would probably be a basic semi-synth 10w/40 which should be fine, you can't get oils that thin in a conventional mineral multigrade, only 15w/40 which was used for 80s Fiats.

You could drive on mineral 15w/40 no problem and just get slightly worse economy because it is THICKER (when cold..), but you say that it seems to be THINNER than before. That should also be basically OK as it would probably be a 5W/30 which is quite common these days and would be definitely semi-synth.

So don't worry but try to find out what they used just to be sure....

 

[blu73]

and next time save yourself a few quid and do it yourself, simple servicing is easy and doesn't take long. and you can choose what you use - we could argue til the cows come home about who makes the best oils and filters but thats besides the point. You will save money on both the parts and labour doing fluids and filters yourself, and most local recycling places will take the old oil now too - used to be much harder to properly dispose of old engine oil than it is now.

 

[jimboy]

Indeed, do it yourself, easy job, especially so on the wee Punto. I had one years ago. Changed the oil/filter twice yearly "10/40 semi synthetic as per book". Ticked over like a clock. I asked a lot of the wee motor on occasions, but it never really let me down.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Blu73 & G8RPI
Thanks for the replies, maybe me being suspicious of garages as to cutting corners/cost for there selves etc.
The car is a Punto 1998 1.2S 8V I intend to keep the Punto going as long as possible so want to be sure I give it a helping hand as much as possible.
My journeys are mostly short i.e. five miles to shops and back occasional longer journey for me would be 45/50 miles, only do about 4K per year.

Thanks for any info.

hi,
10W40 is prefect. semi-synth is now the norm - so £12 / £20 for a change and @£ 3/ £8 for a filter

you can run the oil level towaRDS THE LOWER MARK ON DIPSTICK TO AID WARM-UP ON SHORT JOURNEYS ( SORRY WRONG KEY)

Charlie

 

[Peter034]

Thanks to you all for the info's, next time it needs changing I will do it myself at least I will know what has been used.
Always done my own servicing but this time just unable to do it myself.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[g8rpi]

<SNIP>
I agree that a cheap, ordinary oil these days would probably be a basic semi-synth 10w/40 which should be fine, you can't get oils that thin in a conventional mineral multigrade, only 15w/40 which was used for 80s Fiats.
<SNIP>

Actually 10W40 is avalable as straight mineral oil, it just isn't common these days, but is popular for canal boat engines.

Robert G8RPI.