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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: Mattg on August 16, 2007, 08:23:01 pm

Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Mattg on August 16, 2007, 08:23:01 pm
I know that there are a number of threads about this issue, but bear with me for a second.

Here's a little back ground.  I bought my car a little while a go it was sitting for about 6-8 months, so I changed the oil and put in 10w-30 (thinking that 10w-30 is a pretty heavy oil).  With the idea that I would change it again in about 1000KM's or so just to filter anything that might be in the engine from sitting. But over the last couple of days I've been reading and thinking that this is not the right oil for my Golf.

What oil should I be using, and what should I be looking for on the lablel to know that this is the right oil for my 1.9TD Golf? What other things should I be doing for a car that's been sitting around for that long?
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Vincent Waldon on August 16, 2007, 09:35:47 pm
Finding a C-rated oil in Canada is a bit of a challange... at least where I live.  10W30 is way too thin for the summers and even a bit thick for winter, at least in Edmonton... Winnipeg can get just as cold as I recall.

I've settled on Castrol Syntec 5W50... it's rated CF (we only need CC or CD so we're fine) and the range is wide enough that I can run it year round and change when I'm supposed to as opposed to getting caught with summer oil that first cold snap.  Available at Canadian Tire for sure.

If you browse thru the oil section at CT you will put down bottle after bottle 'cause it only has an S rating and/or is only available in 15W40... IMHO nowhere thin enough to flow at -30C.

In the old days we were warned against oils with too wide a range... some people were even concerned about 10W40... oil trying to be too much and not doing any of it well.  It's my understanding that the chemistry has gotten better and better and a 5W50 really is a 5 when the engine is really cold and a 50 when the engine is really hot.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: bigblockchev on August 17, 2007, 11:59:26 am
In many places the best source of diesel oil is the local truck parts supplier. Almost everything they sell is for diesels. "Traction" is one such I believe that they have outlets in AB for sure. I have had good luck with Valvoline 5W40 Full synthetic. It is Cummins approved and they are fairly picky. The diesel rated oils C etc have additives to cope with the soot that diesels produce. Ugly old Walmart also has diesel rated oils in 1L 4L and 20 L buckets. Cheers Dan
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: burn_your_money on August 17, 2007, 12:10:27 pm
I get the 5W30 or 5W40 rotella T from Canadian tire. It's pretty good year round but I like to run the 0W40 Rotella T SB (synthetic) in the winter for easier starts (-30 without being plugged in)
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: ricosuave on August 17, 2007, 01:01:46 pm
do a search on oil here

there are lots of threads on it and good recommendation.

mine?  ufa polar plus 0w40
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: mk2diesel on August 18, 2007, 08:50:09 am
look in walmart  in the diesel tractor oil section ... 15W40   about 8 bucks for 4 litres
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Vincent Waldon on August 18, 2007, 11:51:14 am
Quote from: "mk2diesel"
look in walmart  in the diesel tractor oil section ... 15W40   about 8 bucks for 4 litres


Yup... great for summer.... terrible for winter !!
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: jtanguay on August 19, 2007, 07:18:52 am
Elf makes the best diesel oil.. if you can afford it!  :lol:
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Infinitrium on August 19, 2007, 06:32:28 pm
Anyone run Esso's XD3 0w40? I'm planning on changing my oil soon and thought I'd give it a try. It's rated CI-4/SL, fully PAO synthetic and it's only 23 bucks for a 4 liter jug at Walmart!
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: ricosuave on August 19, 2007, 09:12:54 pm
thats what im running - ufa polar plus is a rebadged xd3.

if you can find a ufa, its about 23 bucks for 5 liters.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: clbanman on August 20, 2007, 06:21:58 am
I've been running the Esso XD3 synth from Walmart for about a year now.  It gave me about 3-4 mpg better than 15W40.  No complaints and its the cheapest diesel synth I can find locally.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: mtnbob on August 20, 2007, 11:11:08 am
Yikes Tyler!!!!  -30 below!!! LOL
And to think people think i'm a polar bear because I hike in 10 degree weather and wear shorts all year :shock:
I hearby pass my polar crown onto my Canadian friends 8)
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: burn_your_money on August 20, 2007, 02:26:53 pm
10 degrees? F or C?

10F and I'll have my touque and long underwear on :lol:
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: vwmike on August 20, 2007, 02:57:51 pm
Quote from: "burn_your_money"
10 degrees? F or C?

10F and I'll have my touque and long underwear on :lol:


10F and I'll stay inside  :D
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Vincent Waldon on August 20, 2007, 03:15:59 pm
Wimpy Americans with your decadent indoor heating...  if you lived in a igloo like us Canadians you'd be in shorts at 10F !!  Eating back-bacon... on the back of a dog-sled...
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Slave2School on August 20, 2007, 03:35:04 pm
I was in shorts at 7C this morning on my bicycle!  They almost fell off.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Vincent Waldon on August 20, 2007, 04:09:11 pm
What almost fell off ???

Oh ya... your *shorts*   :wink:



Vince
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: burn_your_money on August 20, 2007, 04:12:21 pm
Forgot your touque eh?
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Jetta Fan on August 21, 2007, 07:54:14 am
Geez, 10F is only -12C. Heck, that's still T-shirt weather.

Now, slightly more on topic....I can't find diesel synthetic oil at the local C-Tire or Wal-Mart stores around here. Gonna check again though....want to try it out after hearing such good things about it.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Slave2School on August 21, 2007, 07:56:57 am
:lol:  It was colder this morning, I'm a eunich.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Vincent Waldon on August 21, 2007, 09:06:37 am
Quote from: "Jetta Fan"


I can't find diesel synthetic oil at the local C-Tire or Wal-Mart stores around here. Gonna check again though....want to try it out after hearing such good things about it.


Pretty sure you will find Castrol Syntec at C-Tire, and it's diesel-rated, although they don't brag about it on the front of the label.

Mind you, it's a semi-synthetic, but the range and price are right.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Slave2School on August 21, 2007, 09:10:25 am
Try the TSB 0w40, it is full synthetic.  The 5w40 and 0w40 TSB are full synthetic, also available at Canadian Tire most of the time. ~$23/4L

I've been using it in the TDI with great success all winter and summer.  Had the valve cover off a little while ago and all looks good.  I never hear loud tapping noises etc indicating that it is thinning out on hot days even with my 8-10k OCI.  I would think if it is good for the TDI it should be fine for the IDI.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: Jetta Fan on August 21, 2007, 11:00:04 am
I think my problem is I have been looking for "diesel engine" on the front of the jug. I'll check out the ratings from now on.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: burn_your_money on August 21, 2007, 01:14:14 pm
I'll try and get the c-tire number and then you can just ask them if they carry it
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: clbanman on August 22, 2007, 06:25:58 am
Most Canadian Tires and TSCs also carry Quaker State synthetic - they make one specifically for VW- listed as such on the front. Only problem is $$$.
Title: Newbie Oil Question
Post by: mtnbob on August 28, 2007, 09:10:35 am
10 degrees F 8)