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alfa-alex · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 11:47 am Post subject: what oil do you use?!

im using shell helix semi-synthetic 10W40 in my 1.7 16V (fuel injected). when i've been giving it a good run (15 mins of good thrashing after its warmed up) the oil pressure light on the dash starts to flicker at idle...... anyone else experienced this?

the only thing i could come up with was that the oil is thining due to the hard driving but maybe someone else has another answer!

by the way there is plenty of oil in it!

Piston Punisher sussex uk · Guest

Hello,

I use Castrol GTX Magnatec 10w 40 in my 1.7 16v.I have only just changed the oil and it has not made the engine any smoother-i think its a bit over rated that oil.Shell Helex is probably a better choice.

As for your oil light flickering at tick over,could be that your oil pump is prepairing for an early ritirement.Watch if it gets worse.

May be a doggy pressure sender.

Good luck.

gritsop · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

i,

The oil that I use is the Selenia Red 10w40 full synthetic.
About the transmittion I use tutella 80w90.
Both of them very reliable.

In addition I use the Selenia for the family's second car a Merc c180 .

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Ben_nz · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 9:44 pm Post subject:

I put the same Shell Helix 10w40 in my 1.7 8v, and I've never had the oil pressure light flicker. Just the speedo and rev counter needles spazzing about. Wink

Wouldn't it be nice if you could rely on your car's instruments, so you'd know something was dodgy with your oil pump or its pressure regulator? Rolling Eyes

paddy granger · Alfa Sprint Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 248

Our mechanic just refilled our oil - Shell Helix fully synthetic, not sure what grade (probably the standard). The car runs perfectly.

Ravi - not logged in · Guest

phil · Guest

I have been using Mobil fully synthetic on my car and the car "feels" better than when i've used other synthetic brands.

bobbber · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 10:02 am Post subject:

I am not your mothers brother!!!! Laughing

I'm using Comma 5W/30 at the moment!!!! Seems ok, and has shut up a very annoying ticking noise from the engine, which we've now assumed is oil starvation.

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

ad · Alfa Arna Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Wilts

Motul 300v Competition 15w 50, fully synthetic as used by Subaru WRC.

The question I asked on their website forum
http://www.motul.com/uk/conseils/index.html

"Which oil product should I use for my engine? It is a 1712cc alfa four cylinder horizontally opposed motor with hydraulic tappets. (ex. alfa33) It has been lightened and balanced and is used for road/trackday/hillclimbs."

The answer I got from their Technical Services team was.

"For your car, we would recommend Motul 300V Competition 15W-50"

Its lovely stuff, the engine is much quieter than when using other fully synthetics and holds decent oil pressure (30 psi) even when at over 90
degrees C. and if its good enough for use in a 300bhp turboed flat four
then its good enough for my 130bhp naturally aspirated flat four.

Ad.

paulhide · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 12:10 pm Post subject:

Okay all this talk of oil. What do the dual oil figures actually represent. Somebody once told me that they are viscosity figures to do with how many drops would drip from a certain diameter tube in a certain amount of time, but then that would make 15/50 a thinner oil than 10/40 (ie. more drips). So does anyone know how they arrive at these figures? Please enlighten me.
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

gritsop · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 3:00 pm Post subject:

Hi,

The figures about the oil (for example 10W/40) mean the following:
When Winter (W) at -18C the oil acts like 10 whereas in summer it acts like 40. It has to do with the viscosity of the oil so that when winter the oil is thinner and thus has better penetrating capability to lubricate "difficult places" inside the engine; it then reduces friction as the metal parts have not abtained the proper working temperature.
That's why we should not give the engine a hard time during the warm up process. Oil should warm up and when engine temp is 80C we can expect everyting from our motor.

So, cold climate countries should use 10W/40 or 05W/40 whereas hotter climates 20W/40.

Hope this helps,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

paulhide · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject:

Now I'm even more confused. Surely oil is thinner when it's hot Question

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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

bobbber · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 9:17 am Post subject:

Yep, oil is thinner when hotter...

But oils are 'multigrade'... i.e. a mix of oils to give the properties (the viscocities) stated on the can.

Bobbber
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

paulhide · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 9:43 pm Post subject:

Okay I'm obviously very dim, but Gritstop above has just said that the oil is thinner in winter when it's cold. I take it 15W/50 is thicker than 5W/40 so the higher the number the thicker the oil. Yes ?? So is the first number the viscosity when the engine is warmed up (ie low number ie thin) and the second when it is thick and cold (ie high number ie thick). Is there any help for me? I can drop a 33 engine/gearbox out by myself in 4hrs.
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alfistjen · Alfasud Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Belgium

The viscosity index is quite simple. The first number in the code discribes the viscosity of the oil in cold condition (like when the car has been standing still for a long time), the second one discribes the viscosity in warm condition (like when you have driven 200 km so it's around 90-100°C). For both numbers lower means thinner.
F.e. 10W40 oil and 5W40: In cold condition the 5W40 is thinner then the 10W40 so it would work better in cold snowy countries to get the car started in the morning. In warm condition both oils have the same thickness. That's why in colder countries you'll see more low viscosity numbers like 5W30 cause the engines have more work to get the oil warmed up so it's likely that's it's quite thin from start. In hot countries you'll see more 20W50 because engines can get nice 'n warm there all time so they don't need the low viscosity to get started. Here in belgium I allways drive 10W40, thin enough for winter starting and when warm it keeps the pressure up wright.
And as you said, viscosity is measured by letting run oil through a very thin calibrated pipe for a certain fix time. The amount of oil that ran through in that time is used as index for the oil viscosity (should look for the exact meaning of the number). But this test is done in cold and hot condition so you get a thickness indication for both situations.

Hope I've helped you out a bit?

Regards!

Paul D.

Ben_nz · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

alfistjen · Alfasud Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Belgium

He's wright if he says the first number is for cold condition and the second is for hot condition. But oil producers mean with cold condition: oil when engine is cold, and with hot condition: when engine has reached full working temperature. And not the outside summer or winter temperature. Outside temperatures can vary at max about 50° (-10 to +40°) whilst engine temp can vary from cold to hot about 100° (-10 to +90°). And that's what the oil has to work for. The indications on the oil are the viscosity and standard temperatures, I can look them up for you, suppose the first viscosity (cold) will be at about 18°C (world wide accepted room temperature) and the second at about 90°C engine working temp. I'll look for that and let you know. As I am courious myself now.

Regards!

Paul D.

alfistjen · Alfasud Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Belgium

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/howtos_tips/automedia_html/ccr/ccr20010101ov/index.html?page=/howtos_tips/automedia_html/ccr/ccr20010101ov/ccr20010101ov.htm

quite readable explenation, I wasn't totally wright on some points, but if you look at oil viscosity on google or yahoo you'll find tons of info on the codes.

Regards!

Paul D.

Marcin · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 7:54 am Post subject:

In addition to the explanation of Paul D.:

in hot condition the oil has to maintain a certain minimum viscosity, otherwise it will lose it's lubrication characteristics resulting in excessive engine wear. Actually, the higher number (e.g. 40 in 10W40) gives an indication of the minimum viscosity at high temperatures. The fact, that the oil viscosity increases with the temperature is caused by polymer additives found in multigrade (xxWyy) oils. They make the oil suitable for both high and low temperatures.

Marcin

paulhide · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 10:29 am Post subject:

Now it all makes sense if multigrade oils get thicker at higher temperatures. Cheers for the info. Great site. Have got my P4 going now so I've got two 33s and I bought a good series 2 shell for £7.50! which I've just put a 56,000 mile engine in which I bought for £80. Don't know what I'm going to do with three cars though.
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ady_botos · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:54 am Post subject:

I used Selenia AlfaRomeo 20k. In the winter, after 5k km, the oil pressure warning light started to light up at idle, when engine warm. I changed this oil, the mechanic told me that the oil was pretty thin.
I changed it with Mobil 10W40. No problem since then.
If I had more cash, I 'll put Mobil 1 0W40 fully syntetic.

James Granger · Alfa 33 Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 302

My specialist tops my car up with Shell Helix Fully Synthetic every 10k. No idea what grade, though, but it runs great! Laughing

Jonintownsville · Guest

Alfa recommended 20W/50 for the 33, this becomes more important as the car ages and the compression may not be as good as before. Also it slows oil consumpion, and you should find that oil light flicker (caused by a weakening oil pump) should also be cured as well. Thinner oil can be thickened up with a additive such as Wynn's Charge or a stop smoke additive (basically a ultra thick oil).

Lon · Alfasud Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 29

Daimon7 · Alfa Arna Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 20

Hi guys

Shell helix ultra 5-40w from tomorow, bought 5lts today for 62E (1lt as spare)
Hope it doesn`t end all up in smoke though.
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a 33 1.7 16V + T4 + too many things to list - 1****eu = 350hp and many many people wondering why a 360 modena can`t shake off that weird looking, 17" rimmed, red, 11 year old bucket