Oil What to use and where to get it

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 16:12
ThreadID: 50749 Views:5979 Replies:6 FollowUps:8
This Thread has been Archived
Need 20l drum of oil for a Ford Ranger and the book says to use 10-30 which is an odd spec. Since it's now warm I was going to use a 15-40 but when Repco only had their own brand which they said was really Mobil but it's all a bit too "no name".
Wan't something better than Valvoline which Supercheap have and they don't stock Castrol RX 30 which I used to buy from the Total Truck centre in Wetherill Park (Sydney) and which I thought was an OK oil for diesels.
Does anyone know where I can get some Castrol RX 20 (and what does the 20 denote) in 20l between Murwillumbah and Nerang and a good price would be nice. Tks
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: wigger - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 16:26

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 16:26
Also meant to add that book says to use an API D/CE/CF-4 10-30
But Castrol RX Super is a CI-4 oil as is Diesel X. What are the real implications of using a differently classified oil. Looks like I should ave done Oils 101 at Uni.
AnswerID: 267666

Reply By: PeterInSA - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 18:28

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 18:28
Wigger,
What am I missing here as a user of Valvoline api CH-4S/J, 15-40 in the engine of my TD Cruiser and various Valvoline oils in the gearbox/ transfer case and diff all with Nulon additive. The cruiser has done 300,000km's and hopefully good for another 150,000. Now its used mainly as a tow vehicle for our Tandem caravan and half cabin boat.

I realise that there is a pecking order on diesel along the lines of BP followed by Caltex, then Shell then Bio Diesel.

I admit I have only tried Castrol when I could not buy Valvoline and did not notice any difference.

Appreciate your and the Forums Oily comments.
AnswerID: 267688

Follow Up By: wigger - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 18:49

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 18:49
Tks Peter,
I don't profess to be an oil expert but if there is some correlation between price and quality then when Valvoline is priced at about $90 per 20l and Penrite is $130, I start to wonder. I'm getting a bit nervous abot taking short cuts of any sort now that Ford warn you about warranty probs. (Why did I buy a Ford for the first time? Great engine, same as the BT 50, for a good price)
Maybe some other replies will throw more light on just what is the ranking for various brands of oils.
0
FollowupID: 530066

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:30

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:30
Other question you may want to think about is going with mineral oil or synthetic. ?? :o)
I found it too hard and stuck to mineral oil.

Been using Penrite since almost new (since 40k) and almost got 300,000k up now, and still not using oil in the 2.8l diesel.
It did take 70,000k to see the engine run in though, and oil usage drop to almost nothing.

This oil debate is almost as hot as tyres and fridges. :o)
AnswerID: 267702

Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:34

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:34
Presumably your Ranger is the new diesel.

If so, you will DEFINATELY have to use the oil as specfied. The latest diesels all use ultra low ash oils because they need it to stay clean enough for the emissions gear, such as a catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter.

The low ash oils prevent the Cat and DPF from being destroyed, and you will also be able to run the oil for far longer than in the old, dirty diesels like the 4.2 Nissans and Toyotas.

Don't listen to anyone who says "I've done 700,000 ks with my diesel, so I know you can use 10w-40, stuff what the book says." They have not done 700,000ks in YOUR car using the wrong oil, and they will not pay your repair bill when your engine bleep s itself (which it will) and Ford denies warranty, which they would and should..I'd hate to pay for a rebuild, probably couldn't find a mechanic that knows how to rebuild one.

I don't know exactly what the service interval is for the Ranger diesel, but it's likely to be at least 15,000ks between oil changes. That might sound high, but there are many engines in the likes of Mercedes that now have oil change intervals of up to 35,000 ks, and possibly more.

The diesel world has well and truly changed so old ideas have to be rejected.

The 10w-30 synthetic oils are also very expensive, but when you consider a change only every 15,000ks, it takes the pain away a bit.

AnswerID: 267705

Follow Up By: wigger - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 20:51

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 20:51
Tks Gerhardp,
Yes' this is what I suspected. Ford are insisting on this oil being used and the low ash thing is the key. Problem is that I can't find this oil rating at the usual places. What brand am I looking for?
Will go to the Castrol and BP sites to see what they make. When you say this rating is expensive, is this because you've bought it.
Change (filter also) is every 10k kms and I think this engine will demand rigorous observance of this. Engine is not your usual Ford boat anchor and it actually goes really well.
0
FollowupID: 530097

Follow Up By: wigger - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 21:27

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 21:27
Gerhardp. Just noticed that you said that the synthetic was expensive. Why would Ii want to use this if the change is every 10k kms. I thought the point of synthetics was to give a longer interval between changes (realize that there could be also diminished wear benefit too) but if I'm forced to change at this
relatively frequent interval, then surely the synthetic is a bit wasted.
0
FollowupID: 530105

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 02:21

Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 02:21
Dear Ghp1,
In recognision of your detailed knowledge,may I benefit from your researched and experienced advice?
I run an Isuzu 4JH1TC engine(3L,turbo, 2001 build,standard Australian setup), massaging itself with Shell Helix 5W 40.

What would your experience/studies suggest as appropriate oil change intervals, varying from total dust(Winton), to full urban, (sealed roads), and are there more economical alternatives available?
Thank you.
Jeff.
0
FollowupID: 530138

Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 09:21

Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 09:21
Jeff, my experience/studies suggest you use the oil recommended in your handbook. By 2001, the recommended viscosity probably had already been lowered to overcome the cold start injector activation problem. The helix 5w 40 sounds right for your "old" technology. Your engine is not the latest in technology, even though it certainly was when released in 1998. If I detected sarcasm in your post, you know what to do with it.

Wigger, all synthetics are expensive, even the ones that have been around for years such as Mobil 1. The newer low ash synthetics are even more expensive.

I think Valvoline and Mobil make them, Valvoline's is rated 0W -30 which gave rise to a warranty question for a Pajero owner because it was not the 5 w - 30 specified !

You might be able to obtain the oil from the nearest place that services Vito vans, and obviously your Ranger dealer should have it, but I doubt it will be stocked in your everyday filling stations.

It's also interesting to note that VIC is the only place that has 10s diesel routinely dispensed, the rest of the country is still 50s. VIC supply will occasionally be topped up from NSW with 50s. The point is, if you are in VIC running the Euro IV or V engines, your oil will stay cleaner much longer.
0
FollowupID: 530160

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:49

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 19:49
Check out the lube guides on the websites for castrol, valvoline, penrite or whatever and see what they recommend for your vehicle.

For example, the Castrol lube guide says to use Castrol Edge 5W30 for your Ranger.

AnswerID: 267707

Follow Up By: wigger - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 20:38

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 20:38
Tks Phil,
Book says 5-30 for winter but summer rating is 10-30 and since this is Northern NSW I thought it would be OK to use the 10-30 for most of the year. Can't get a display page for Castrol at the moment but will try later. What else do you know that might be relevant?
0
FollowupID: 530096

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 22:21

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 at 22:21
I don't think you'll find an oil on the shelves that is a 10W30 made for diesels. They all seem to be 5W30 or 5W40. I'd be running one of these, given that is what is being recommended by the oil companies. The Castrol Edge is a full synthetic.

Another option is Penrite's recommendation HPR diesel 5. Its actually a 5W40.Blurb is here.
0
FollowupID: 530117

Reply By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 06:18

Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 06:18
In your vehicle handbook, you will find out exactly what oil specs are recommended, and it may pay to re-check specs vehicle recomended specs for updates, on the net
Use nothing else. Most oil manufacturers will have an oil that matched the specs indicated.

Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID: 267748

Follow Up By: wigger - Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 11:07

Monday, Oct 22, 2007 at 11:07
Thanks guys for all the input.
I have done a fresh post at 50767 because anyone with a FR or BT 50 needs to know that the handbook 10-30 spec can be changed to a 15-40 (in warmer areas) but the actual oil is critical if you want to avoid a warranty issue. I was also warned about particulate filter requirements by Castrol, and their technical bods are very helpful but it may be that the other oil companies are just as good if you prefer another brand. What I have learned from all this is DON"T ever use an oil in a modern diesel without checking with the technical experts.
0
FollowupID: 530168

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)