2.7TDi Mineral or Synthetic Engine Oil

[Tomas243]

Just like to know Which oil people are using in their TDi's???????
Which is best for our beloved vehicles?
As there is no specific type other than SAE 10w-30 etc.
I'm sure there is more than one suggestion.

 

[Terranosaurus]

I used to run my old 2.4 petrol on Valvoline racing 20w/50 which is a high quality mineral oil. I went for the thicker grade as mine spends a lot of its life in low box being worked quite hard.

On my new one I will be using at least a semi synth, possibly full and will consult the table inthe workshop manual over what grade to use - there are far more than just 10w/30 that is suitable. am going for a synth as its a turbo. Mneral oils do not stand up very well to the intense heat in turbo bearings where synths fair far better.

 

[Tomas243]

Turbo Oil

Ok, so why do you reckon Mineral or Synthetic isn't spec'd in the Handbook?
They do sort of advise that thinner is better than thicker, I always thought Synthetic was generally thicker or more robust than a mineral oil.
What about a Semi-Synthetic?
Whats that all about?

 

[Terranosaurus]

Re: Turbo Oil

Ok, so why do you reckon Mineral or Synthetic isn't spec'd in the Handbook?
They do sort of advise that thinner is better than thicker, I always thought Synthetic was generally thicker or more robust than a mineral oil.
What about a Semi-Synthetic?
Whats that all about?

Don't know what the handbook says - I'm referring to the Nissan Workshop manual.

I didn't say a word about whether Mineral or Synthetic is specified I said there is more than one reckomended grade. infact 15w/40 is the one they recommend in the manula but they leave it to the technichians discretian based on ambient temperatures.

Handbooks are for owners to top up from a litre bottle and do daily/weekly checks. Manuals are for mecanics - hence the more detail in the manual.

Semi synth is just what it sounds like, part sythetic, part mineral - its a blend - but they are all a blend of various oils.

* For warm and cold areas: 15W-40 is preferable
for ambient temperatures above −20°C
(−4°F).
* For hot areas: 20W-40 and 20W-50 are suitable.
* On turbo models, 5W-20 is not recommended.
Use 5W-30 only below 0°C (32°F).

The accompanying chart to the above is in the gallery somewhere.




Synthetic is not thinner or thicker than mineral. The grade ie 15W/40 denotes how thick and thin the oil is. Synthetic oils tend to be better at coping with extreme heat and do not break as easily and they are easy to produce in a form that does not thin down as much when hot - hence the availabilty of things like Mobil 1 in 0W/60. Thin (0) when cold (W) and thick when hot (60) - the scales are separate even mobile 1 is thinner hot than cold - just less so.


The really important bit to follow if you want to be absolutely correct with your oil is the specs as follows.

TD2.7Ti

API CE, ACEA B2-96 (CCMC PD1), D5 level, SHPD (*1)



ZD30DDTi

API CF4 or ACEA B3-96. 98 or ACEA B3/E3-96.98 *4


*1: For further details, see “SAE Viscosity Number”.
*4: Never use API CG-4.

 

[elty001]

which oil

i got told by the owner of my local garage to use 5W/40 if using fully synthetic and 10W40 if using a semi synthetic.
depends on how flush you are with the cash as full synthetic is more expensive.

 

[Deleted Member S]

I've not long done a service & put mineral oil in :smile: reasons being it's an old style engine being OHV & it was quiet a bit cheaper :roll:

 

[Paul]

Re: which oil

i got told by the owner of my local garage to use 5W/40 if using fully synthetic and 10W40 if using a semi synthetic.

This is what I was told as well from the main agents.

 

[Tomas243]

TDi Oil

My manual says SAE 10W-30 is preferred viscosity, which I have not been able to find in any local Motor supplies stores or Service Stations.
It also states not to use API CC Oils, whatever they are.

So which is best in a 76,000 engine used in this countries temperatures?
What effect would using a 15W-40 have as opposed to a 10W-30.
And is it worth paying the extra for a Synthetic and if I do which viscosity of Synthetic?

 

[ern1e]

i serviced mine not that long ago and i used 10/30 in it as that was recommended,

i work in a car spares shop and i will aways sell what is recommended unless the customer wants diffarent which is down to them at the end of the day if its wrong,

at the end of the day these motors are heavy oil burners and its down to the way you treat them

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

I think that if you have an older vehicle with high miles that has allways used mineral oils then stick with them, save a pound or two at services and dont risk upsetrting aything, seal integrity etc with a sudden change. if your worried just change it more often!

 

[Tomas243]

TDi Oil

Well, I just replaced the old oil with 5W-30 Semi-Synthetic and added some Moly Slip Diesel Engine treatment and a new filter.

Boy was the old oil Black, just like ink!
I use some Indian Ink when dying glue I use on my Custom Knives and the oil that came out of my TDi was just as black as that!

 

[Timbo_1975]

Fords own Formula E 5w-30 is just fine for the 2.7. Its a very low stress unit with a water cooled turbo, so that high quality mineral oil is dandy.

Change it at 3-4k intervals if you drive the truck hard/tow etc or 6 monthly otherwise.

tim..

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Thomas, I have used molyslip several times and i am convinced it works!

off topic i know, but your custom knives sound interesting!