Which oil?

[JAY1]

Hi guys,
I have a 312d sprinter (2.9d) and was wondering what's the best oil to use?
is castrol magnatec gtd 10w 40 any good?

I do a mixture of a lot of short journeys over a period andf then 100 miles a trip on other occasions if that makes any difference to the oil i should use.

am planning on changing the oil tomorrow.

ANY advice appreciated

[DBTRANSPORT]

Hi mate, ive got a 316cdi which I use castrol turbo diesel 15w40 in with no probs, hope this helps. If your changing the oil regular (10,000) any turbo diesel oil will be good but if you use the assyst computer (25,000) then a higher spec may be required.
P.S. I use the assyst and only service when it tells me to.

[JAY1]

my van doesn't have assyst but i will be servicing it every 6000 miles/6 months due to the variation on journeys.
i'll try the castrol gtd 10w40. thanks for the info db.
What mileage do you have on your sprinter?
does anyone know if there is a difference between the 'cheap' oil filter and the more expensive? I just assumed they were all the same
cheers

[adamuk]

Use any good one... Castrol GTD, Mobil or Shell diesel oils. I would only go for unbranded stuff if I knew exactly what was in it since they contain additives. A 10W40 or 15W40 would be suitable.

I wouldn't use an engine flush myself but I know others on here who would. All this stuff about flushing oils removing resin build, etc. is bunkum IMHO as the residence time of the flushing oil is too short, it would really have to go at the deposits like starved chihuahua on a pork chop and most engine oils contiain additives such as detergents to prevent this anyway.

As I have said earlier the best thing you can do is change your oil religiously every 6000 miles and keep an eye on your oil levels.

cheers
Ad.

P.S. I have been looking at semi-synthetics and synthetics and noted that the cold temperature rating is lower for synthetics/semi-synthetics than mineral oils - i.e. this means that a synthetic oil will be not as viscous which may provide better lubrication when your engine is cold.... just something to think about that's all.

[JAY1]

cheers guys,
I've ordered a MAHLE filter kit for my sprinter(£30) and intend on using the castrol oil i listed above. albeit £50 but doing it myself so no labour.

what other parts would you suggest i change? seeing as i'm going to be under the bonnet may as well give it a proper service. cheers

[adamuk]

I also change the air filter & fuel filter if you know it has not been done for 40k miles. If you are feeling energetic then you could also change the coolant (rumours around here are that you should use the MB stuff for your van and don't do aftermarket as it's apparrently the mutt's nuts)

[JAY1]

hmm, do you know how much mb charge for the coolant? roughly?
also where is the fuel filter located?
cheers

[adamuk]

The coolant will no doubt cost you a fortune. I would give them a ring...

Anyway, a quick squint at the WIS says that your oil filter screw cap is going to be on the RHS of the engine bay as you look at it with the bonnet open (see attached). It's also telling you to suck out the engine oil as well!!

cheers!

Adam.

[JAY1]

oooh no, i dont want to suck out the oil, i've seen what happens to the engines with sludge build up!
do you know what the 'noise encapsulation' is? it says to refit the bottm part of it after filling with oil:S

also do you know where the diesel filter is located?
thanks adam

jay

[adamuk]

Noise encapsulation sounds like some acoustic shielding for your engine that you have to remove so you don't spill oil onto it or get access to the sump drain plug. I will pop on the diesel change instructions when i get home