What kind of engine oil do you use? [Archive]

HappySlapper82

31st July 2009, 08:38 PM

I thought I would ask this question as I am about to get my car serviced and I don't like the oil I have now

Engine: 4A91 MIVEC

Current oil: Factory stuff

Previous oil: Factory stuff

Feeling: Was ok, but now that it is close to service time I have noticed a slight lack of power through mid-range and it's a bit noisy now at idle

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Engine:

Current oil:

Previous oil:

Feeling:

SSS_Hoon

31st July 2009, 08:54 PM

Engine: SR20DE+T

Current oil: Royal Purple

Previous oil: Royal Purple, pretty much used all them.

Feeling: the Royal purple is been ok so far tends to not braeak down as fast as some of the others.

SSS_Hoon

dieselhead

31st July 2009, 09:04 PM

Engine: 1.9 commonrail turbo Diesel

Current oil: Mobil 1 Full Synthetic

Previous oil: Mobil 1 Full Synthetic

Feeling: a lot, its a Diesel! Seriously now, this is seriously good oil. Bloody expensive, too... Changing every 15,000km.

mr corsa

31st July 2009, 09:04 PM

Engine: z18xe

Current oil: neo platnium

Previous oil: as above

Feeling: nothing at the moment

hazrd

31st July 2009, 09:11 PM

Engine: c25xe

Current oil: penzoil semi-synth

Previous oil: mobil1 semi-synh

Feeling: doesnt stick as much when it cools down so taps a little on first startup in morning

daaaaavek

31st July 2009, 09:32 PM

Engine: z22se

Current oil: Shell Helix Plus 10w40

Previous oil: Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 (used during colder months)

Feeling: Since I change my oil every 5000 km's I tend not to go for the expensive stuff. Engine runs very smoothly and recently when I changed the timing chain I was impressed with how clean the internals were.

chrissn89

31st July 2009, 10:30 PM

Engine: Z20let

Current oil: Fuchs Titan Super GTO Full syn

Previous oil: Fuchs Titan Super GTO Full syn

Feeling: I change my oil every 5000km.

guy 27

31st July 2009, 10:49 PM

Engine: z22se

Current oil: Cheapy full syn 10w/40

Previous oil: fuchs full syn 15w/40

Feeling: no difference as it gets changed every 5000km

daaaaavek

31st July 2009, 10:52 PM

Everyone is jumping on the 5000 km bandwagon ..

gmonkey

31st July 2009, 11:05 PM

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Engine: L15A

Current oil: Penrite 5w/50

Previous oil: Castrol Edge 0w/30

Feeling:No difference between oils IMO, ticking on start up went down when changing to higher visc oil but.

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Engine: Z18XER

Current oil: GM Oil

Future oil: Prob Penrite 5w/40 or something like

Feeling: GM oil feels cheap and nasty..

DirtyHarry

1st August 2009, 08:33 AM

gm oil i think is made by fuchs.

CNBLU

1st August 2009, 09:50 AM

Engine: Z20LET

Current oil: Nulon full syn 10w/40

Previous oil: Castrol Edge full syn 5w/30

Feeling: 5w/30 was too thin, have had no probs with 10w/40

SSS_Hoon

1st August 2009, 11:25 AM

also found 5w/30 too thin and am also now running 10w/40

Also change my oil every 5000-7500k depending on how long it sits for between drives.

u think mobil 1 is exxy try buying Royal Purple, i also have Royal Purple in the gearbox.

Was going to try NEO but so far find Royal Purple fine so far.

SSS_Hoon

Z20LET

1st August 2009, 12:51 PM

Engine: Z20LET

Current Oil: Nulon full syn 15W-50 street & track

Previous Oil: Factory Holden crap

Feeling: Can't notice much difference now as I've done about 6 changes now with the Nulon but definitely alot smoother feel over the factory stuff.

gman

1st August 2009, 02:03 PM

Engine: Z20LET

Current Oil: Royal Purple XRP 10W40

Previous Oil: Motul Chrono 10W40

Review: I have always only used Motul or Royal Purple. RP is my preferred and love it. Engine and gearbox always seems to run nicer with it..

Keep'emRunning

3rd August 2009, 09:14 AM

..strangely enough.. from castrols website, edge 0W-30 is approved by vauxhall for the Z20let.

i emailed them about 5W-30, just waiting for the reply (if any)

poita

3rd August 2009, 09:26 AM

Engine: X20XEV Ecotec FTMFW!!!

Current oil: Sougi S 6000 (Gulf Western) 10w40

Previous oil: Shell Semi Synthetic

Feeling: Not a fan of the Sougi, can runs a little rough. Turned black as black after only about 3000kms.

Not sure what to go to next

NXA-16H

3rd August 2009, 09:50 AM

Models: TT Zafira and XC Barina respectively
Engines: Z22SE and Z14XE respectively
Odometer: Approx. 167'000kms and approx. 275'000kms respectively

Now for a good long while, I preferred to use Mobil-1 5w40 exclusively.

Nowadays though, I use Shell Helix High-Mileage 15w40, specifically for its cleansing, and anti-friction properties.

I also use an extra anti-friction additive made by a German firm by the name of LiquiMoly.

NXR-94N

JohnBu

3rd August 2009, 12:17 PM

Engine: SRi Turbo Z20LET 132,000km

Current oil: Shell Helix Ultra (5W40 from memory) fully^ synthetic

Previous oils in order:
- Holden Shell Helix (not ultra) semi-synthetic
- Mobil 2000x2 10w40 semi-synthetic
- Mobil Syn S 10w40 semi-synthetic(no longer in production- 2000x2 replaces it)
- Valvoline XLD Engine Armour 15w40 semi-synthetic

Engine oil & OEM filter replaced ~7,500km since 30,000km.

All the oils i've used seems to be exactly the same to me. No perceivable difference in start up, noise, rattling, revving, performance etc. Engine has never used oil to require a top up.

Will use Mobil 2000x2 for the next 3 oil changes as I have 2 and a bit 5L litre bottles left. I hate having 3 or 4 different leftover brands of oil laying around. I would mix the leftover together if I had an old car :D

In future will buy Mobil 2000x2 or Valvoline XLD Engine Armour, depending what is on special at the time.

As I don't do track work, I personally think buying the correct grade of oil and changing frequently means that fully synthetic will not benefit me.

^ claims to be synthetic, but as I understand it very few oils are really are fully synthetic.

lithium

3rd August 2009, 12:33 PM

Engine: Z18XE

Current Oil: Nulon 10w-40 Synthetic

Previous Oil: Shell 5w-40 Synthetic

Feeling: you could hear some tapping from the valves with the 5w on startup in winter - switched to 10w and it is gone. Nulon is the only reasonably priced brand i've found that produces synthetic 10w-40?

HappySlapper82

3rd August 2009, 12:39 PM

chrissn89

3rd August 2009, 12:45 PM

g: Nulon is the only reasonably priced brand i've found that produces synthetic 10w-40?

Fuchs have a synthetic 10w-40, its what ive always used in my Z20let, isnt overly expensive i dont think.

Fuchs Titan Super GTO SAE 10w-40 (http://www.fuchs.com.au/categories.asp?cID=9)

lithium

3rd August 2009, 01:00 PM

yep, the Nulon in the gold bottle is the one i use. i lol at the '32% less friction' claim every single time i look at the bottle :cornut: the reason i use it is because its synthetic and 10w/40 is the factory recommended viscosity for my engine. no complaints thus far!

the Fuchs looks interesting, i might try to track down a bottle for the next change. where do you buy it? i've never seen Fuchs in a Supercrap and Autodarn

chrissn89

3rd August 2009, 01:15 PM

the Fuchs looks interesting, i might try to track down a bottle for the next change. where do you buy it? i've never seen Fuchs in a Supercrap and Autodarn

I get it from my local mechanics in a 5L bottle.

Keep'emRunning

5th August 2009, 11:55 AM

Amazing, received a response from Castrol

Thank you for your enquiry.

I assume your vehicle in Australia is Holden Astra G 2.0 litre 16 valve with a turbo the year 2001-2004. If this is correct and as the vehicle is out of warranty, you could use Castrol Magnatec 10W-40, for Ultimate engine protect Castrol Edge 0W-30 can be used.

Regards

Castrol Technical Service - UK

PS We have a Technical Service in Melbourne, their phone No 1300 557 998.

PO15KA

6th August 2009, 09:39 PM

currently using Castrol Synthetic, however once used the below one and the car "liked it" (not available in AU);

[OPCSRi]

6th August 2009, 11:04 PM

Currently Using Mobil 2000 15w/40 semi synthetic. Using it since the car was purchased in 2003. Now for the next service i'm going to try Castrol Magnatec

Z20LET

6th August 2009, 11:12 PM

I've been told by an older motor mechanic it's best to choose an oil and stick to it as it's better for the engine. Not to sure how true that is though. Anyone else heard this before?

lithium

7th August 2009, 10:29 AM

i have, some people say all oils have different additives and it can be better to stay with the same type of oil because you know all the additives will be compatible

in practice, in my opinion, oil is oil and in a relatively unstressed passenger car engine, regular changes probably matter more than the quality. and remember to use good oil filters too...on that topic has anyone noticed the GM filter for Z18XEs don't have an anti-drainback valve? :yikes: even the nastiest aftermarket budget filters have one!

gman

7th August 2009, 12:11 PM

Never use GM stuff...Always aftermarket on consumables

Hoss

8th August 2009, 04:31 PM

Mobil 1 10w-30 in my Z20LER

coyotte

23rd September 2009, 12:59 PM

Motul Turbolite 10w-40. (originally recommended to me by Greg Murphy's engineer).

gman

23rd September 2009, 02:31 PM

Royal Purple or Motul always for me. For the Z20LEx, 10W40 is the recommended weight...

digifish

4th October 2009, 02:02 PM

Astra CDTi

Since new -

Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40

I supply to the dealer on services.

cyclonic

11th October 2009, 09:00 PM

I've recently changed to Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30. Also used the Liqui-Moly Engine Detox, dropped out the old oil, added the Castrol along with Liqui-Moly Engine Protect.
The car has never run as well!

shEp187

3rd November 2009, 05:38 PM

Engine: Z18XE

Current Oil: Nulon 10w-40 Synthetic

Previous: GM brand I think.

Difference: Lower rev's when idling, just feel's smoother.

delemonte

3rd November 2009, 10:20 PM

Engine: Z20LET

Current oil: Castrol GTX 3 - 15w40

Previous/alternate oil: Castrol Magnatec - 10w40

Feeling: I alternate between these two oils between Summer and Winter... I change my oil every 5,000kms as has been done on the car since brand new. I replace with a Ryco oil filter every 5,000kms also.

Engine: Z18XE

Current oil: Castrol GTX 3 - 15w40

Previous oil: Castrol GTX 3 - 15w40

Feeling: I change the oil every 7,500kms and replace with a Ryco filter every 15,000kms

hazrd

3rd November 2009, 10:37 PM

MrPerkasa

9th November 2009, 01:08 PM

oil change update:
C25XE

Previous oil: penzoil semi-synth

Current oil: castrol magnatec 10w/40

Feeling: no more tap on cold start. heard that the "sludge" that hangs at the top (apparently protecting it) isnt so good for it so not sure what i should go for next (lookin to change it again in about a months time)

You need to try the Castol Edge 0W-40. Used it on my previous cars (Magna and Vectra). Definitely no tapping, and car feels much lighter than Magnatec, and engine sounds just as smooth as the Magnatec Not cheap at $70 per 5L, but well worth it.

My Calibra uses Castrol Edge 5W-30, because it is the type they recommend for Turbo cars. Currently on special for $30 for 5L from the usual $50 at Supercheap. I assume it is not as protecting as the 0W-40, and being thinner engine is noisier.

hazrd

9th November 2009, 02:33 PM

http://www.castroledge.com.au/product/product_0w40.php

This is Castrol’s best , full synthetic, low viscosity technology. Castrol EDGE Sport 0W-40 is recommended for modern and high revving technology engines in performance sports cars, luxury sedans and turbo-diesels. looks like its designed more for newer cars??????

CORZZA

20th May 2010, 12:36 PM

Castrol Edge 0w-40

balker

21st May 2010, 12:53 AM

Penrite Everyday Full Synthetic 10-40. $40 per 5L.

Used in Astra G 1.8l and 2.0l Turbo.

Hoss

2nd August 2010, 11:28 AM

Now using Caltex Havoline 5W-40 (fully synthetic) in my Z20LER.

VXRshop.co.uk

21st August 2010, 04:29 PM

Dexos 2 from Vauxhall, Fully Syt 5-30, siutable for other makes such as BMW's, Audi's & VW's

gmonkey

21st August 2010, 05:16 PM

Liquimoly "insert random German word here" 5w-30 recommended for gm-Opel.. Loving it at only $50 for 5l

VXRshop.co.uk

21st August 2010, 11:22 PM

Liquimoly "insert random German word here" 5w-30 recommended for gm-Opel.. Loving it at only $50 for 5l

I know some of the Motor Trade over here in the Trade Club are paying £40.50 Plus VAT (17.5%) for 4 x 5 litres (20 Litres)

metry

8th November 2010, 03:29 PM

currently im using gulf western. just changed from valvoline

droodles

8th November 2010, 11:06 PM

Surprised at the amount of Castrol users.

NUD91N

5th January 2011, 07:55 PM

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Engine: C22SEL

Current oil: None... :P

Previous oil: Just bought the car... would have a clue... but last i checked there was some in there...

Feeling: Annoyed that i let it get that low... but hey... hence my question... what would you use for this engine doing 4000Ks+ a month.... btw... 180ks+ on engine....

guy 27

5th January 2011, 09:33 PM

what would you use for this engine doing 4000Ks+ a month.... btw... 180ks+ on engine....

a decent semi-syn 15-40 and change oil and filter every 7.5k.

rwy16r

21st January 2012, 12:00 PM

Engine: Manual Z18xe

Current oil: Castrol Magnatec 10w 40

Previous oil: Vavoline Durablend 10w 40

Feeling: the valvoline was ok no probs, but now the Castrol Magnatec is casuing the engine to run a bit rough and idle bit poorly.

Next I will try the
Nulon Full Synthetic 10W-40 Hi-Tech Fast Flowing

gmonkey

21st January 2012, 12:30 PM

Engine: z18xer

Oil: Liquimoly 5w40

Feeling: best oil ive used for price ($40-50) on par with penrite oils. Recommended oil for new opels, bmws, vw etc

Engine: 1jzgte

Oil: penrite sin60 0w60

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

ChrisMaz

21st January 2012, 01:19 PM

Engine: z32se

Oil: Liquimoly 10w40

Feeling: Brenton got me onto it. "best oil ive used for price ($40-50) on par with penrite oils. Recommended oil for new opels, bmws, vw etc"

chris_r

27th March 2012, 10:11 PM

Engine: C16XE/Z18XE

Oil: Penrite HPR10

Feeling: Have run Penrite oils for the last couple of years, the C16 ran really smooth on it and will be running it with the Z18 once it's finished.

Engine: D4CB (Hyundai iLoad diesel)

Oil: Penrite HPR Diesel 5

Feeling: One of the few certified oils for this engine (requires ACEA B4 equivalent or better), I stick with what I know and was also recommended by the guy who rebuilt the engine for me. Runs smooth, doesn't burn excessively and get around 7500-10000km between changes without too much drama. On high mileage engines, Hyundai dealers recommend changes at 15000kms, but when you do that and your engine craps itself like mine did, don't expect them to cover you on the warranty. Now I change around 7500kms, which is around every 10 weeks or so and I do it all myself.

Feelinlucky75

27th March 2012, 10:30 PM

z18xe - castrol magnatech 5w40

Shay

27th March 2012, 11:14 PM

Ok, with the company i work with now, and for the race team at uni, i have done bulk research in oils in the last couple of years.

The general conclusion is that the best off the shelf oil for performance applications is the Mobil 1 Synthetic range.
The off the shelf studies we did meant we didnt include Royal Purple or Red Line.

gmonkey

28th March 2012, 11:04 AM

Did u test liquimoly or penrite sin range?

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

CORZZA

28th March 2012, 01:54 PM

Used to use Motul Turbo lite 400

Using Castrol now

Shay

28th March 2012, 08:06 PM

Did u test liquimoly or penrite sin range?

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

Penrite yes
Liquimoly, no cos not many places stock it, were looking at oils that youd be almost garunteed to find anywhere in Aus.
Motul wasnt tested by us either.

It to do with the "Class" of oil. Redline and Royal Purple are class 5 oils, best available atm, Mobil Syn is class 4, all the other off the shelfs are class 3 or lower.

gman

28th March 2012, 08:34 PM

Go Royal Purple!!' :)

gmonkey

28th March 2012, 10:57 PM

Penrite yes
Liquimoly, no cos not many places stock it, were looking at oils that youd be almost garunteed to find anywhere in Aus.
Motul wasnt tested by us either.

It to do with the "Class" of oil. Redline and Royal Purple are class 5 oils, best available atm, Mobil Syn is class 4, all the other off the shelfs are class 3 or lower.

ahh yeh.. class 4/5 is good yeh but i wouldn't be putting it in a car pre say 1995ish... for a modern engine theyre great but engine thats seen a few years they can be bad news

dsuhiti91

7th April 2012, 09:26 AM

Quick tip guys, need to change oil today.

Have a Z20LER, would it be ok to use the same oil as for Z20LET? Not many Z20LER owners in this thread it seems.

Nurb608

7th April 2012, 09:29 AM

Quick tip guys, need to change oil today.

Have a Z20LER, would it be ok to use the same oil as for Z20LET? Not many Z20LER owners in this thread it seems.

Should be fine. What does your handbook recommend?

dsuhiti91

7th April 2012, 09:34 AM

10w-30 or 15w-40.

hazrd

7th April 2012, 09:36 AM

Id suggest 10-30

dsuhiti91

7th April 2012, 09:39 AM

Thanks guys, will do.

Heads up, Super Cheap is 20% off store wide today!

Nurb608

7th April 2012, 09:41 AM

Strange, would have thought it would be a 10W-40

Mind you, this place says 5W-30 http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-992-fuchs-titan-supersyn-ecoflex-5w-30-for-all-gmopelvauxhall-petrol-diesel-engines.aspx

03srit

7th April 2012, 09:54 AM

My z20let suggests 15-40

dsuhiti91

7th April 2012, 09:56 AM

Seems there are a few options, for now I'll stick to what the handbook says, but open to other suggestions.

Btw, as it is my first change on the Astra, is the oil filter similar to the Vectra CDXi? Or the conventional filter?

Nurb608

7th April 2012, 09:57 AM

dsuhiti91

7th April 2012, 10:00 AM

Thats a lot mate, great help.

gravy258

7th April 2012, 11:29 PM

Strange, would have thought it would be a 10W-40

Mind you, this place says 5W-30 http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-992-fuchs-titan-supersyn-ecoflex-5w-30-for-all-gmopelvauxhall-petrol-diesel-engines.aspx

all AH Astras use 5w30 full syn

Nurb608

8th April 2012, 07:56 AM

all AH Astras use 5w30 full syn

Mine doesn't ;)

hazrd

8th April 2012, 10:15 AM

15/40 here

irYobYetaMis

19th June 2013, 03:53 AM

0W-40 fully synthetic here :) ('01 Vectra Y26SE)

Almost a must to cope with the harsh finnish winters ;) Winter is down to -30, sometimes colder, summer can be +30 (record is +37 lol) :D

YeshSRITURBO

27th May 2014, 09:18 PM

Astra sri turbo ah

First service: Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 full synthetic

YeshSRITURBO

27th May 2014, 09:22 PM

Mine doesn't ;)

The ah astra sri turbo factory logbook says 5w30 or 15w40 which I found interesting.

faneca

27th May 2014, 10:30 PM

I'm using penrite 10w 40 race spec oil

mickos

28th May 2014, 08:10 AM

I have been using Nulon fast flow 10w 40 comes in a 6ltr bottle since I got the VXR also on previous SS for 5 years stuff is bloody tops

balker

28th May 2014, 04:26 PM

I have been using Nulon fast flow 10w 40 comes in a 6ltr bottle

Same same...

dutchy

28th May 2014, 07:13 PM

couldn't care less, its what the dealer drops in atm :)

Sully

1st July 2014, 08:39 AM

Had my Astra SRI 2002 for two years.
Am proud to have changed my own oil for the first time last weekend .
Found that the filter cartridge had been jammed in crookedly
and the nipple bit had broken off .Would not have been filtering at all.
I suspect they did not put oil on the o-ring and forced it in.
It would have been noticeable but was ignored .
Will be doing my own from now on .
Using 10-40 .
Also while under the hood found I have a Zafira chip mod of some sort .

vekara

2nd July 2014, 06:11 PM

I use semi synthetic oils, whatever grade the book recommends. change oil every 6 months regardless of km. it is that modern engine oils do not suffer from how many km you drive but rather how long it sits in the engine. Oils start losing their additives through oxidation after 3 months and after 6 months it needs to be replaced if you care about the engine.
Brands I use are:
Valvoline
Penrite
Castrol
also, I have used Hi-Tec oils but finding a retailer is sometimes difficult. they mix their own oils in Sydney to the highest standards. a bit cheaper too because they do not have the huge overheads compared to international oil giants.
I do not use full synthetic oils, I don't see the need or benefit as long as the normal oil is replaced every 6 months.

GUN16V

2nd July 2014, 10:53 PM

So going off the results of the poll Castrol seems very popular amongst OA members? Ive also read on here its not that great either.?

Repco have it on special atm and with my car due for a oil change I was considering trying it. Any thoughts on Castrol oil given that this poll is quite old now.

Its for a z20let with 140,000km oild changed every 5000km

***EDIT*****
Only selected ones are 45% off, 5W40 is probably a bit thin for for my kms I would have thought?

vekara

3rd July 2014, 07:38 AM

I am going shopping for next oil for my Z20LER engine today too, 10-40 Valvoline Durablend it will be. it has 150tkm and will change twice a year.
Castrol is a good oil, it is what Porsche recommends. I have used Castrol Edge before in other cars but this time i settle for semi synthetic. Some european opel turbo tuners recommend Castrol Edge but remember these guys drive their astras and calibras on Nyrburgring and on autobahns at 250kmh... and change the oils regularly, not at 15,000km which is neglect in my opinion.

ConZo

31st December 2014, 10:22 AM

My car has just had two lots of Penrite 10-50w full synth through it and it seems ok.
I have typically always used Penrite or Nulon (only use Nulon if I have to).

chris_r

31st December 2014, 11:28 AM

As with all my cars, the Z20LET in the Corsa will be run on Penrite. Used it for years and I'll keep on doing so. As it won't be driven as a daily, I'll keep it at 5000km between oil and filter changes.

As for 15k services being considered neglect, on engines like the Z20LEx, I would agree. In my 2014 Ford Transit however, Ford have specified 15k between services regardless of how quick you rack up the kms. If that's what they say and I comply with that, they can't say I haven't kept up the maintenance and try and void my warranty like Hyundai did with the iLoad.

I believe my dealer uses a Caltex Havoline oil of some variety, I shall ask them Friday when it goes in for it's 30k service.

ConZo

23rd January 2015, 06:17 PM

chris_r

23rd January 2015, 07:43 PM

It's funny how my manual recommends a service every 15k for my SRiT... I do mine every 10k with Penrite 10w-50 full synthetic as I said above, only because I do about 600-1000 klms a week otherwise it would be 5k.

At the end of the day, I look at the fact it's a turbocharged petrol engine, so naturally service intervals should be 10k or less. If anything, I'd likely drive it maybe 200-250kms per week, so I figure 5k servicing will be optimal. That, and those kms would probably be some hard boosting kms, lol.

GUN16V

24th January 2015, 10:17 PM

Im doing 450-500km a week and still drop it every 5000km. Its barely dirty by the time i drop it.

ConZo

27th January 2015, 04:54 PM

Im doing 450-500km a week and still drop it every 5000km. Its barely dirty by the time i drop it.

Yeah screw it, I will do it every 5k as well. I have done it twice lately. I bought the car at 79,000 and changed it then, plus I changed it again at 81,000 due to having to drop the oil again to fix something else. The car is now at 83,000.

At 85k I will get back on it - better to be safe than sorry I guess and it's only $60 a time to do it.

Sweet

18th March 2015, 03:24 PM

Z18XE
I use a full synthetic oil. Sometimes i leave it in the engine for over 20,000km. The engine has around 200,000km on it and uses very little oil and the color after 10,000 km is still translucent. I think it is worth the extra $$$ to use synthetic oils.

delemonte

18th March 2015, 05:39 PM

Have you ever had a UOA done on the synthetic oil with 20,000kms of use? It might be interesting to see the results compared against a mineral/semi-syn for a shorter oil change interval :)

ConZo

18th March 2015, 06:41 PM

I've always ran Penrite 10-50 full synth but have been thinking of giving the Castrol Edge 5w-40 a go, apparently this is the shiznit for turbo imports/four cylinders? Has anyone else tried it?

chris_r

18th March 2015, 07:40 PM

I used semi-synth Penrite 10W40 in my old Z18XE with no problems. After about 12,000 kms, it was just starting to change colour. I still wouldn't leave an oil change much longer than that.

For the Z20LET, I'm using full synthetic Penrite 10 Tenths 10W40. I plan to change this at 5,000 km intervals. F23 gearbox is getting Penrite Pro Gear 75W85 when I get around to draining it.

sooty

18th March 2015, 08:23 PM

Raisin

18th March 2015, 09:57 PM

Good choice, I use Penrite 10tenths 10W-40 due to its fantastic life with E85. I change it every 3000 km (about 6-12 months for me lol)

I've been using this stuff for a while now too, I really dig it.

ConZo

18th March 2015, 10:10 PM

Ok I will stick to the same stuff then!

I am waiting for someone to put up a how to service your F23 'guide' to switch gbox fluids lol...

Raisin

18th March 2015, 10:28 PM

Ok I will stick to the same stuff then!

I am waiting for someone to put up a how to service your F23 'guide' to switch gbox fluids lol...

If I'm still waiting on things to be sorted for my brakes by this weekend I was thinking of doing mine. If so, I'll put something up for you.

adam_92

18th March 2015, 10:44 PM

chris_r

18th March 2015, 10:56 PM

Corsa Z20LET is the same with the gearbox oil drain. Only thing is battery isn't in the engine bay.

Penrite Pro Gear comes in a 2.5 Litre bottle conveniently enough.

Raisin

18th March 2015, 11:31 PM

The f23 is a pig to do. Iv done mine twice...

Jack up car and take passenger wheel off
Cut a piece off an 8mm allen key (1cm)
Use the allen key piece with an 8mm spanner and the plug is actually on the bottom/side of the gearbox behind the subframe. Its a c*nt to get to though.

Refilling, (refit bottom drain plug)
Remove battery and tray
Towards the back of the engine, theres another plug on top of the gearbox (back left of gearbox towards the engine)
Undo it and refill with 2.4-2.5l of fluid.

I'm pretty sure the F23 gearbox only needs 1.75 liters, it's the M32 that needs 2.4 liters. At least that's what my service manual specifies. Although I have seen guys overfill once they have a breather kit installed to stop spills on the track.

chris_r

19th March 2015, 12:11 AM

I'm pretty sure the F23 gearbox only needs 1.75 liters, it's the M32 that needs 2.4 liters. At least that's what my service manual specifies. Although I have seen guys overfill once they have a breather kit installed to stop spills on the track.
Initially the F23 was filled with 1.75l, but the TIS even states to refill it with 2.4l.

Raisin

19th March 2015, 12:37 AM

Initially the F23 was filled with 1.75l, but the TIS even states to refill it with 2.4l.

So why the change down the line then? Only things I've been able to find on overfilling was as a field remedy for noises from the box. Both my service manuals specify 1.75 liters filling quantity for the F23. And on the electronic one, none of the bulletins indicate a change for the F23.

chris_r

19th March 2015, 01:05 AM

So why the change down the line then? Only things I've been able to find on overfilling was as a field remedy for noises from the box. Both my service manuals specify 1.75 liters filling quantity for the F23. And on the electronic one, none of the bulletins indicate a change for the F23.

Yep, TIS states a field remedy for noisy F23 gearboxes by filling it up to 2.35 litres. If your car has been subject to this remedy, your gearbox oil filler bolt is supposed to be marked yellow. Having said that, I would assume that this being issued as a field remedy would make it peace of mind to fill up the gearbox with the full 2.35 litre capacity, so even if your gearbox isn't noisy, it'll be at least on the safe side of things.

Raisin

19th March 2015, 03:21 PM

Yep, TIS states a field remedy for noisy F23 gearboxes by filling it up to 2.35 litres. If your car has been subject to this remedy, your gearbox oil filler bolt is supposed to be marked yellow. Having said that, I would assume that this being issued as a field remedy would make it peace of mind to fill up the gearbox with the full 2.35 litre capacity, so even if your gearbox isn't noisy, it'll be at least on the safe side of things.

Gotcha, that is what I had read too. Mine doesn't have a yellow marking, but that doesn't surprise me with this car.

ConZo

20th March 2015, 05:54 PM

The f23 is a pig to do. Iv done mine twice...

Jack up car and take passenger wheel off
Cut a piece off an 8mm allen key (1cm)
Use the allen key piece with an 8mm spanner and the plug is actually on the bottom/side of the gearbox behind the subframe. Its a c*nt to get to though.

Refilling, (refit bottom drain plug)
Remove battery and tray
Towards the back of the engine, theres another plug on top of the gearbox (back left of gearbox towards the engine)
Undo it and refill with 2.4-2.5l of fluid.

Sounds fairly simple in a ****about kind of way lol!
So 2.4-2.5 is that all? Is there a dipstick that should be checked? Sorry I've never touched a gearbox before.

Sweet

20th March 2015, 08:39 PM

After further research it seems that full synthetic oil is a very broad category involving a variety of manufacturing processes, blends and additives. Oil companies use the classification of full synthetic as a sales pitch. It seems we have to do a bit more homework to select the best oil...l am going to try Mobil 1 0W40 next time, but l am still unsure about the composition of this oil. There is a claim that it is often an automotive factory installed oil, perhaps there is something in that at least.

adam_92

21st March 2015, 12:35 AM

Sounds fairly simple in a ****about kind of way lol!
So 2.4-2.5 is that all? Is there a dipstick that should be checked? Sorry I've never touched a gearbox before.
No dipstick, just make sure you let it drain properly for a little while, there is another plug at the back of the gearbox (between gbox and firewall) if you really want to check level, a few people do it and stop once it starts to trickle out of that hole, but iv always just put a full 2.5l bottle in and had no dramas at all

ash1987

19th May 2015, 10:29 AM

Ulx 110 custom blend

adclawrence

17th August 2015, 04:19 PM

Engine: October 2003 Z18XE Auto (97,800km)

Current oil: Nulon Full Synthetic 10w40

Previous oil: Whatever crap Holden used in their $99 service. Presumably some cheap mineral 15w40. After 9,000kms, literally black. Filter was packed with crap.

Feeling: Can't feel or hear the engine running from inside the car when stopped at the lights. Before oil change it made a few concerning noises that I thought were timing belt related and sounded like a sick tractor. Engine now revs more freely, idles silently and without any vibration. Fuel economy has improved 0.2l/hr when idling.

tatugirl

17th August 2015, 06:00 PM

Engine: Z14XE
Current Oil: Penrite 10W40
Previous: Magnatec 10W30

shifty

17th August 2015, 07:49 PM

Engine: z18xe

Current oil: Nulon 10w 40 full synthetic

Previous oil: Shell helix hx7 semi synthetic

Feeling : I haven't found much of a difference other than seems abit smoother since using Nulon. I change oil and oil filter (Ryco HE) every 5-6000km

Sent from my Boost View 5.0 using Tapatalk

ConZo

7th March 2016, 04:03 PM

Bit of an update.

So I switched from the Penrite HPR-10 (10w-50 full synthetic) I was using to Penrite Racing10 (10w-40 full sythentic street/track oil) and I honestly noticed no difference...

Mind you the Racing10 was about $86 for a 5L bottle, yikes.

I keep reading all over the world that most people in the UK and Holden here in Aus run a semi-synthetic by choice.

Welp some Castrol Magnatec 10w-40 semi-snyth came on special for $18 a bottle which is amazingly cheap, it is normally around $46.00 (one of the most expensive semi's second only to what I get at Crazy Horse every other Saturday night).

Long story short my car was due for a service and it's now running $18 Castrol Magnatec 10w-40 semi-synthetic and is actually running quieter on idle than it was previously...

I will check in and let you guys know how it looks when I drop it out in 5000klms.