Re: Fixing small accident damage on an 1997 Uno 999 FIRE
I moved these posts from another thread, so we could find them later if we want to
Sorry for any confusion caused!
I think that how often you should change the oil depends on how contaminated it gets, which comes down to engine condition and driving conditions. I like the engine oil to be clean, as I've seen the insides of engines where the engine oil was clean and they are... clean, with no wear. Sorry for the obvious statement there
I know there are many people who say that dirty oil is a good sign - FIAT included (in the handbook there is a phrase to the effect of "new oil will look black soon after changing) and I agree in the sense that black oil has done its job removing carbon from engine parts, so it's a sign that it worked. But that's just the point - it's done it's job, so in my opinion, it's ready to be changed
And, if I drain out dirty oil, I put the drain plug back in (leaving the oil filter on), add a litre or two of clean oil, and run the engine (idle only) for a minute, then drain again and remove filter. This extra flush helps to dilute the dirty oil that is left behind in the engine, which otherwise contaminates the clean oil you'd be about to put in. I know that may seem like a waste of oil but I only use the cheapest stuff for that purpose, it only needs about a litre, and we have recycling facilities for all drained oil. And it means that the new oil gets off to the cleanest possible start, prolonging its life.
Incidentally, a couple of litres of 'cheap' oil is cheaper than a can of engine flush (and again, although engine flushes are good, what about the oil left behind that is now super-dirty and contains the engine flush solvent?) So in other words, even if you use an engine flush before you drain the oil, I still think the quick run with a couple of litres of new oil is necessary.
On my Uno Turbo, I might change the oil after only three club outings and a bit of round-town driving (less than 2000km, in two years...) This is because I discovered that the turbo, worked hard, can dirty the oil in such a short distance.
On my Punto Sporting, I checked the oil after more than a year (10000km) and it looked as clean as the day it went in, so I left it... a clean engine, working gently on long runs, keeps the oil clean for long distances.
In cold starts, the oil can become diluted with petrol as well - another factor - so if the oil smells strongly of petrol, again it gets changed. Less of a problem in engines that get long journeys/high temperatures.
So in short I think you're making the right decision to shorten the service interval, but I would suggest adjustments depending on the condition of the oil that you drain out - because I still believe that clean oil is good, and dirty oil is bad.
-Alex
