fully synthetic oil question - OK to use?

[Griffalo]

I was told today that fully synthetic oil shouldn't be used in an older engine but are designed for modern cars. Is this true?

I was at my LMF store and looking to purchase 5W40 oil to do an oil change before setting off to the south of France in a weeks time and the only 5W40 was fully synthetic. They stock 5w30 semi synthetic oil which I have used before but thought that about changing it so the Bongo might cope better with the high temps likely. I am also stopping for a week in the Alps on the way down.

Do I do an oil change with the 5w30, use the 5w40 fully synthetic or is this available in semi sythetic form?

Any helps is appreciated - thanks.

Darryl.

[Griffalo]

Right - I have used the 'search' facility over the last 1/2 hour and come to the following conclusions -

1. 5w40 may be better for hotter conditions but is likely to increase fuel consumption.
2. Fully synthetic is OK to use in the Bongo but normally costs more.
3. Fully synthetic needs changing more often - not to sure about this though!
4. 5w30 is great for UK conditions and offers better fuel economy.

Could someone with more knowledge than me just confirm if this is the case as after a while one thread turns into another and I am easily confused!!

Cheers

Darryl

[You've Been Bongod]

to help peeps help you is the bongo a diesel or petrol??

[Griffalo]

diesel - sorry!

[You've Been Bongod]

i used to use 10/40 in my old diesel
instead of using fully synthetic i used castrol magnatec and it run fine ( i had it for 4 years before selling it)

[renegade]

Hi, regarding 5w30 synthetic engine oils, i work at a heavy truck workshop and the heavy tractor units are on 150,000km oil changes using this oil, and some have covered nearly a million km, so my bongo at 110,000km is still "new" so i would say you can use it. i would"nt have thought for a second you would have to change the oil more often than is needed, i do mine every 10,000 km (then again i dont pay top dollar for it). Hope this helps.

[missfixit70]

Synthetic oil should not need changing as often as mineral oils or semi synth, but it is probably overkill for the bongo, Wilkinsons do 5 litres of 5w/30 semi synth for £16 if that's any help? I always go with 5w/30 semi synth.
I think you have it right re the fuel economy, there's a factsheet in the members area that may help, but again is part based on opinion

[helen&tony]

Hi
Yes...I also use semi. I use Elf semi 10-40, and get 30 MPG +/- Usually I change oil at 6000, as I often forget at 5000, and I always use a new filter. If possible, I use a Mann filter, but have just sourced a Japanese made filter labelled for use on Mitsis and Mazda.....now happy
Cheers
Helen

[mikexgough]

Wilkinsons do 5 litres of 5w/30 semi synth for £16 if that's any help? I always go with 5w/30 semi synth.

I have this oil in just now, in fact I only put it in as I was not going nearby to the supplier of the usual Fuchs 5/30 semi I use........ ticks all the boxes with the specs and a good price too......Mine went in last October.....due a change now before my trip to Cornwall

[mikexgough]

Wilkinsons do 5 litres of 5w/30 semi synth for £16 if that's any help? I always go with 5w/30 semi synth.

I have this oil in just now, in fact I only put it in as I was not going nearby to the supplier of the usual Fuchs 5/30 semi I use........ ticks all the boxes with the specs and a good price too......Mine went in last October.....due a change now before my trip to Cornwall

if you have a Screwfix......they sell this...... http://www.screwfix.com/prods/32332/Van ... RRWidgetID

[scanner]

Wilkinsons do 5 litres of 5w/30 semi synth for £16 if that's any help? I always go with 5w/30 semi synth.

I have this oil in just now, in fact I only put it in as I was not going nearby to the supplier of the usual Fuchs 5/30 semi I use........ ticks all the boxes with the specs and a good price too......Mine went in last October.....due a change now before my trip to Cornwall

if you have a Screwfix......they sell this...... http://www.screwfix.com/prods/32332/Van ... RRWidgetID

But 10W-40 isn't 5W-30

[Ron Miel]

On annual service a year ago, I changed our V6/LPG from 5W/30 semi synth, to Mobil 1 "New Life" 0W-40 fully synth, and have just replaced with same in this year's service. It was too expensive in 2009, at nearly 50 quid, and although it's dropped now (£38.39/5 litres/Halfords), it's still not cheap - although (see turbo diesel version below) it's now much cheaper than Castrol Edge 5W/40 fully synth (£44.99/4 litres) or 0W/30 (£39.99/4 litres).

Anyway, I was very glad to have it onboard for starting during the very low temps last winter, and I'm just waiting for some temps at the other end of the scale to see how it performs then. However, used in combination with MotorMaxx coolant enhancer, the van has definitely run cooler since installing the oil a year ago, when pushed hard, either on motorways or tough hill-climbing fully loaded. Did not see any change in fuel consumption, although Mobil actually claims improvement - description and spec here http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65581#dtab.

Overall, I see our Bongo as an important long term proposition, so I do tend to spend on it for maximum wear protection - rather more than I otherwise might.

The Mobil 1 0W/40 fully synth for turbo diesels, also £39.99/5litres, is here http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165581.

[mikexgough]

But 10W-40 isn't 5W-30

Didn't say it was........ I was offering another option as had been suggested by YBB....

[Griffalo]

Thanks for all your replies - most helpful.

I'm still in two minds whether to stick with 5w30 or swap to 5w40 (or 0w40 although it doesn't get that cold down here!) for my trip to France - will it make any difference in the heat of Provence and up and down those hills in the Alps? I guess just doing the oil change will help.

Ron Miel - where did you get the MotorMaxx coolant enhancer from and how much is it? I have looked on their American website and it looks like a good additive. I have however, just replaced the coolant yesterday - can I empty some out of the bled hose and top up the reservoir (carefully!!!) with this product? or perhaps do it the other way around using a funnel on the bled hose so the old coolant comes out of the header tank.

Cheers

Darryl

[Northern Bongolow]

imo i would go for the 5w 40 with the heavy load up those hills and the ambient temps.that oil is going to be working very hard indeed.