Which oil

[Steve Webb]

This is a question for the members from the hotter countries. Which oil do you use to cope with the hot summer temperatures? It was 30 C + here yesterday and I want to make sure I use the best oil possible. In the past I've been using either Motul 300V competition, or Selenia racing 10-60w .
Any other recommendations for the hot weather?

Steve

[j1v]

Motul Le Mans 20w-60, Yacco Galaxy 20/60 and MOTUL 300V Competition 15W-50 are good choices for hot weather and high oil temps.

I suppose You could find both at very good prices in France, as they are French oils

[Steve Webb]

Cheers, Looks like thats a vote for Motul, I'll go check out prices before the weather gets really hot!

[j1v]

Cheers, Looks like thats a vote for Motul, I'll go check out prices before the weather gets really hot!

Yes, motul is definitely the ultimate choice for me, as long as you can afford it, it's not a cheap oil.

[K.Kotkas]

This answer is a no brainer. Castrol RS 10W-60. All time all round. All cars. :)

[gtvracing]

10W-60 sould do just fine, the first number only say something about how thick the oil is when it is cold, so there is no reason to use 15W or 20W when its hot, Alfa says 10W-40 for normal use or 10W-60 for sportive use 8) Castrol RS 10W-60 is the weapon of choice :wink:

[155-tbo]

I use this summer Valvoline 10w/60 and last summer I put in my engine Valvoline 20w/50. On winter time I use Mobil 5w/50. Mobil is not so good, it is maybe too liquid to Alfa´s engine.

[cuore_sportivo_155]

It's only too low on viscosity if you can't reach your maximum oil pressure anymore.

[markgq4]

i had to buy some oil on way home last week,
bought 10-60,
i cant believe how cheap oil is in france 30 euros for mobil 1, 5 litres ??
and similiar price for a 10-50 synthetic!

we so get ripped off in UK... :x

[AlfaJack]

I am glad this came back up.

My car runs 10/40 - When cold, it has a nice healthy 7.5 BAR - when warm it can drop below 1 BAR!!! Even the light can come on. So is 10/60 the answer?

[cuore_sportivo_155]

what temp is your oil running then?

[AlfaJack]

what temp is your oil running then?

No idea, because the gauge does not work :roll: :roll:

I found my old thread on alfa155.org - looks like 10/60 is what was recommended - problem is I forgot about this on the last change or two, and it has not been nearly as warm outside this year

[cuore_sportivo_155]

trouble is that turbo's aren't really keen on thick oil, since they need comparatively huge amounts of flow... But don't you think your problem lies elsewhere, I'm sure they were originally sold with 10W40...

[wrinx]

Wonder if your car is running a bit hot and the oil is overheating?

Did you replace the radiator recently?

wrinx

[AlfaJack]

It runs up to the normal 93/94c in traffic - on the motorway its back down to 70c (duff stat) - the rad is 3 years old. I think 10/60 should be ok. When I saw the pressure warning light it was about 35c outside - so this must have contributed.

[wrinx]

Yeah, that wouldn't have helped :lol:

wrinx

[AlfaJack]

I'm sure they were originally sold with 10W40...

Maybe that is ok when new, but after very nearly 100,000 miles :?

[Brul(tm)]

Maybe that is ok when new, but after very nearly 100,000 miles :?

I still use Agip Sint 2000 10W40 oil for the engine.
And i've almost covered 279.xxx KM ;)

Oil pressure gauge reads from 2 till 7,5 bar when running.

Greetings,
Marc

[cuore_sportivo_155]

the oil pressure warning light comes on when the pressure drops below 0.2bar, so I doubt that a thicker oil will help any... It might just help you ruin your motor with 100% confidence if it manages the light to stay off...

Get the oil pressure checked out, and get a new one if needed... And definitely new bearing shells. The alternative is hunting for a new crankshaft on top if the engine develops a knock... Or a new engine if a piston seizes... What is your peace of mind worth?

Hate it to bring the bearer of bad news, but would hate it more to see you ruin your engine and not have said anything.

[AlfaJack]

the oil pressure warning light comes on when the pressure drops below 0.2bar, so I doubt that a thicker oil will help any... It might just help you ruin your motor with 100% confidence if it manages the light to stay off...

Get the oil pressure checked out, and get a new one if needed... And definitely new bearing shells. The alternative is hunting for a new crankshaft on top if the engine develops a knock... Or a new engine if a piston seizes... What is your peace of mind worth?

Hate it to bring the bearer of bad news, but would hate it more to see you ruin your engine and not have said anything.

I know what you are saying, and I would not like to see it go bang either - at least iv practised a rebuild before :)
Something tells me though that thicker oil would help - as when cold (thick oil) the engine makes 7.5 bar, when warm (thin oil) - 1-2 bar. The light only came on in traffic on an exceptionally hot day :?

[cuore_sportivo_155]

is your oil cooler functioning?

[AlfaJack]

is your oil cooler functioning?

I believe so, especially after I fitted nice expensive pipes to it to replace the rusty old ones :lol:

[cuore_sportivo_155]

and the thermostatic valve? I've never had the oil on my 8v 2.0 go over 100°c, which is operating temp for xw-40

[AlfaJack]

and the thermostatic valve? I've never had the oil on my 8v 2.0 go over 100°c, which is operating temp for xw-40

Not sure, but I know there is pressure in the pipes.