What oil do you use?

ClassicAU · 26-06-2007, 10:13 PM

I'm not sure if this has been covered in the AU section before, as i couldn't find anything.

I am just wondering what engine oil people recommend to use for the AU I6? I need an oil change and am wanting to start doing it myself. I have never done it before so have no idea what to buy? Brand, type, its all too confusing to me!

Evan

b2tf · 26-06-2007, 10:28 PM

Much of a muchness really, everybody has their own preferences, in the ute Im using GTX3. A lot of people dont like it but I change it every 5000 and havent had any dramas with it, was Castrol edge before that but a bit too thick for the colder weather.

In a 6 cyl I would use any 10 or 15w oil such as GTX3, Shell Helix, Penrite HPR 15, MOTUL 4100 etc etc. Filter is a Ryco Z9 or AFL1 if you go for Motorcraft, Purolator number is L30001. Get yourself a wrench (large size) and give it a go, its a very easy job.

stiddy · 26-06-2007, 10:35 PM

Penrite HPR15 semi-synthetic. I refuse to use anything else apart from Penrite oils.

JoesAu · 26-06-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiddy

Penrite HPR15 semi-synthetic. I refuse to use anything else apart from Penrite oils.

im using this oil at the moment and since i put it in my lifters are noisey upon start up in the morning or a cold start, thats going from Nulon 15w50

GK · 26-06-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoesAu

im using this oil at the moment and since i put it in my lifters are noisey upon start up in the morning or a cold start, thats going from Nulon 15w50

Perhaps try HPR 10 then. 10W/50, still thin at the low end and a bit thicker for the I6 once it's warm.

I run HPR10 Gas in both my AUs.

As for filter wrench, you don't need one really. I just use a rigger's glove for grip and twist to manuafacturer's instructions (2/3 of a turn or a little more) once the rubber o-ring makes contact.

Evan, have a looky at this.

Oil and Filter Change
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...3&postcount=35

GK

stiddy · 26-06-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoesAu

im using this oil at the moment and since i put it in my lifters are noisey upon start up in the morning or a cold start, thats going from Nulon 15w50

Ive tried a fair few, and HPR 15, is the only oil ive found that actualy 'felt' right.. no tappy sounds, no knocks, it just feels better. HPR 10 was too thin..

Magnitec was the worst thing ive ever done to my car. Never again.

MRJUCY · 26-06-2007, 10:59 PM

I've used Royal Purple for years & swear by it.

lostdude · 26-06-2007, 11:05 PM

castrol magnetic, just serviced the car today. Its cheap and effective. Though i do service my car every 6000 to 8000 km, currently its on 210000km and still ticking strong

: . (touchwood lol).

BLACKAUXR8 · 26-06-2007, 11:06 PM

i have experianced the same thing in my wifes I6 as joesau. I have just change to the penrite and have noisy lifters on start up

BLACKAUXR8 · 27-06-2007, 03:01 AM

Ill have to check which one i put in it might be the HPR15 or the HPR10 im not sure

Oo_xrsx_oO · 27-06-2007, 07:59 AM

Castrol Edge 5w30 for me

ClassicAU · 27-06-2007, 09:47 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys! It seems there is a lot more choice out there as i first thought. From what i can remember, my mechanic has been using Penrite oil when i have taken it in for a service, but i wasnt sure what type it was. I only know this because that was the log on the service sticker! I might give it a go this weekend if the weather is good, so i'll see how i go.

Thanks heaps for the link there George, you make it look so easy!

Evan

GK · 27-06-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicAU

Thanks heaps for the link there George, you make it look so easy!
Evan

After you do it a few times yourself Ev, it will be!

Cheers,

GK

4VCLEVO · 27-06-2007, 05:01 PM

I use valvolin 5w30 semisinthetic oil and think its great. I did try castrol magnetic but had alot of lifter taping when cold and i dumped the oil after only 1000km in fear of it doing damage to the engine.

stiddy · 27-06-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4VCLEVO

I did try castrol magnetic but had alot of lifter taping when cold and i dumped the oil after only 1000km in fear of it doing damage to the engine.

Pretty much what I did, but I left it till about 4000k's. The taping got worse and took longer to go.. and after hard rev/acceleration the tapping was there again.
Went to HPR15 and the engine has never made a slight tap since! The oil still comes out almost the same golden colour it went in, I'd almost re-use it, thats how much faith ive got in it lol.

FRDGAL · 27-06-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicAU

I am just wondering what engine oil people recommend to use for the AU I6? I need an oil change and am wanting to start doing it myself. I have never done it before so have no idea what to buy? Brand, type, its all too confusing to me!

Evan

I'm pretty sure I've got Nulon Synthetic in mine. Ask Glenn over at G&D. He put it in. But I'm sure it's that.

Krissy.

347 mont · 27-06-2007, 10:10 PM

I use Mobil semi synthetic 10-50 (I think have to chect to be certain)

redef · 27-06-2007, 10:12 PM

i use magnetec and change oil and filter every 5000.

**Mechan1k** · 28-06-2007, 08:23 AM

I change mine once a month (5000km) ... I get the grade of oil the factory manual says for mine ... at the cheapest price i can (still a name brand ... just the cheaper one at the time)

Current bottle i bought was a Mobil LPG oil ... was discounted ... so i got it ... cheaper than Shell/Castrol/Penrite/etc at the time. Normall the Shell LPG 15W40 is the cheapest and that's what normally gets used though.

ClassicAU · 28-06-2007, 04:53 PM

So from what i can gather, i shouldnt be getting anything above 15W grade? I undestand this is the thickness of the oil? I will have a look on the weekend as i will most likely tackle this on sunday while i am at changing the springs as well (weather permitting). I have missed an entire oil change and now its almost black!

Evan

GK · 28-06-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicAU

So from what i can gather, i shouldnt be getting anything above 15W grade? I undestand this is the thickness of the oil? I will have a look on the weekend as i will most likely tackle this on sunday while i am at changing the springs as well (weather permitting). I have missed an entire oil change and now its almost black!

Evan

Ev, the oil has 2 numbers say 10w/50. The first with the 'w' is the startup viscosity and the second number is the viscosity rating at operating temp.

If it were my car, I'd go a 10W/50 oil (HPR10 or similar) as the 15w oils will probably be too thin in Winter. IIRC the 'w' stands for winter anyway! LOL!

I know Ford recommend 5w/30, but that is mostly for reduced friction. Many mechanics and Ford techs etc have said that they use a 10-15W/40-50 now because that oil was too thin and burnt off a lot in some vehicles.

I guess it depends on the vehicle though, as Casper uses 5/30 IIRC.

I found 10w/40 Magnatec was too thin at operating temp, but the 10w/50 Penrite is just about right.

Your choice though, and if you get something in the range we've been talking about (10-15W/40-50) you'll be fine.

All the best with the change on Sunday, both of the oil and the springs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoesAu

actually just has a look and im actually using HPR10! so i'll get the hpr15 which should stop the noises i hope.

I think that'll increase your noises! You'll go from a 10 weight oil at startup to a thicker 15 weight. If you want less noise, you need to look for a 5W/40 or 5W/50.

Hope that helps!

GK

JoesAu · 28-06-2007, 04:50 PM

actually just has a look and im actually using HPR10! so i'll get the hpr15 which should stop the noises i hope.

stiddy · 28-06-2007, 07:33 PM

GK are you sure?
I think its the other way around, I use HPR15 now over the HPR10 because it made a little ticking on start up, with HPR15 its elimated all the noise now on cold start up, at operating temp, and after a hard run.

Im changing from Penrite HPR15 to Penrite 'Sin' 10w60.. only downfall is that its $72 for 5L, next service..
Every oil/fluid in my car is Penrite, engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil, brake fluid, coolant, even use Penrite grease...

GK · 28-06-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiddy

GK are you sure?
I think its the other way around, I use HPR15 now over the HPR10 because it made a little ticking on start up, with HPR15 its elimated all the noise now on cold start up, at operating temp, and after a hard run.

Im changing from Penrite HPR15 to Penrite 'Sin' 10w60.. only downfall is that its $72 for 5L, next service..
Every oil/fluid in my car is Penrite, engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil, brake fluid, coolant, even use Penrite grease...

This is the logic as far as I understand it. The thinner the oil, the quicker it will go to the top of your engine. That's why Mobil 1 kept getting thinner and thinner. What's it to now 5W/50 or such? I haven't used it in years so I wouldn't know exactly now.

The AU has hydraulic valves right, so the quicker the oil gets to them, the quicker the are quiet.

I may be wrong and hey everyone here knows I'm not a mechanic! LOL!

I just found this article, which may be helpful.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/motor_oil_605.htm

Remember though, that this is an American article and their viscosity ratings are a little different to ours, as they have much colder winters and such.

In any case, Stiddy, I'm glad you've got your valves to quieten down!

Cheers,

GK

JoesAu · 28-06-2007, 07:55 PM

yeah i think your right stiddy its the other way around

Bucknaked · 28-06-2007, 07:55 PM

I use the stuff that comes on the bill from Ford

stiddy · 28-06-2007, 08:01 PM

Well ford recommends 5w30 which I think is way to thin, and it always made a very light tap on start, could hardly hear it, but its something a 70,000k car shouldnt have. so I went to 10w30 and it very rarely tapped, was few and far between but it still did it, so I stepped it up to 15w30 and walla! no tap ever.
Mind you I had to change through about 6 different oils. Til I was happy.

sly · 28-06-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiddy

Well ford recommends 5w30 which I think is way to thin, and it always made a very light tap on start, could hardly hear it, but its something a 70,000k car shouldnt have. so I went to 10w30 and it very rarely tapped, was few and far between but it still did it, so I stepped it up to 15w30 and walla! no tap ever.
Mind you I had to change through about 6 different oils. Til I was happy.

I'm still using 5w30 (per the filler cap) at 310,000k's, it uses maybe half a litre between changes (10,000k's). I tried 15w40 once, performance was noticeably sluggish under about 2400rpm. There is a bit of tap every now & then on startup, only for about half a second till the lifters pump up, I'd expect them to bleed down overnight anyway. At that sort of mileage I reckon the lifters are getting close to needing an overhaul anyway.

I use semi-synth (normally Castrol, Mobil, Penrite or Valvoline, one of these is usually on special at Supercheap at any given time) and put a flush through at every change because I change brands.

Bucknaked · 28-06-2007, 08:06 PM

I'm at 87,000 k's now

stiddy · 28-06-2007, 09:59 PM

I use a semi-synthetic aswell..
When I change over to Penrite Sin, it is fully synthetic, but its the sort of oil you put in for a daily driver. Even though my car is a daily, it dosent get driven like a daily.