Oil Changes

[stuartadair]

Hello all,

I've always had the view that oil should be changed in diesel engines every 6000 miles and that legendary engine life can be achieved this way - But what does everyone think ? Is this an urban-myth ? What oil do you recommend I use ?

Thanks

Stu

[Iceberg]

I guess it depends on how much you trust modern materials / lubricants and manufacturers claims.

I come from the old school and am of the opinion that manufacturers just say that the mileage between servicing intervals is higher because that's what the market demands (lower servicing costs etc) I don't believe it's actually in the best interest of the engine. Whilst modern oils may well extend intervals by a thousand miles of so, it seems that they are double what they were when I started playing with engines, and that was only in the 80's. Oil changes were recommended every 4-6 thousand miles, now it seems 10-15 thousand.

That said, I have a little Mazda 2 diesel with service intervals of 12.5k miles, and I've done over 75k miles with no problems since new in 2003. I would expect to get a good 200k miles out of a diesel though, so 75k is just run in. The transit is more important to me though (as it should be ), so I would prefer to look after it hence oil change a little more frequently.

I'll be interested to hear what the pro's think though, I'm just an amateur fiddler. Mechanics is not my profession by any stretch.

R's,
J

[jace]

i use quality oils in all my vehicles an still believe 5-6 k is enough no matter what they claim nissan say sommat like 12k between services on navara 2.5tdis but then there throwing a rod through block at anything near 70k which aint no where nr what youd want outve commercial vehicle!

[sc_BK]

Aint the transit service interval at least 15k though?

[stuartadair]

Exactly my point. I dont want to throw money away doing more regular oil changes than needed, equally I dont want to take the chance of ruining my engine because of the lack of an oil change.

I think I'll err on the side of caution and change every 5K

Stu

[jace]

oils cheaper than engine and crap oil is gonna work out exspensive!

[motorwise]

mine gets a full service every ten and an oil and filter change every five

[darmer1959]

hi intrested in the oil change debate i've got a 52 plate 125 t280 and i change the oil and filter every 8,000 miles and it seems fine i'm a courier so do a lot of miles change oil every 5 to 7 weeks but me tranny has never let me down!!!!!!!

[jace]

thats the ticket look after your engine itll look after you how would you like to whizz round at 2-3000 rpms in dirty usless oil an if got a turbo thats spinning at around 20,000 rpm

[olympia5776]

I drive lots of short journeys over here and change it every 3 K miles. It costs me e22 (£16 ) for quality 10/40 semi synthetic oil and a filter and do it myself in 30 minutes. Is that expensive ?
Oil 's the life blood of the engine don't skimp on it.
If I was back on UK roads ,stop start conditions , I'd change it every 7 or 8 K miles.

Don

[AndyG]

I drive lots of short journeys over here and change it every 3 K miles. It costs me e22 (£16 ) for quality 10/40 semi synthetic oil and a filter and do it myself in 30 minutes. Is that expensive ?
Oil 's the life blood of the engine don't skimp on it.
If I was back on UK roads ,stop start conditions , I'd change it every 7 or 8 K miles.

Don

Absolutely right
I never wait 'til the mileage on mine reaches the "official" service
Tried it once and it was horrible poor performance and higher fuel consumption Yes about 50 miles to the tank less

[jace]

luv your engine without it your off the road with big bills and red hot phone from angry customers! having said that my transits only done about 3k since last mot(sept06)

[thunderider]

i do mine about every 20k,or if i remember,if i did it every 5k id constantly under the van...

[motorwise]

I drive lots of short journeys over here and change it every 3 K miles. It costs me e22 (£16 ) for quality 10/40 semi synthetic oil and a filter and do it myself in 30 minutes. Is that expensive ?
Oil 's the life blood of the engine don't skimp on it.
If I was back on UK roads ,stop start conditions , I'd change it every 7 or 8 K miles.

Don

spot on - wrong oil though should be 5/30

[jace]

20k buy a pump if you dont wanna get under van bet it rattles an complains gettin nr 20k!