Answers From The Oil Expert Part # 2

[Brianmoooore]

verry intresting read i just bought some holfords 15/40w oil for my 318i will that be ok or should i take it back and get some thing eles

A 5w-40 would have been a better choice or even a 10w-40

Check your handbook

Cheers

BMW handbook isn't all that helpful as regards choosing engine oil for an E30. It just shows a block graph showing the temperature range for various grades of oil, with a block on the RH side covering the full range of temperatures, labeled 'special oils'.

[oilman]

A 5w-40 would be preferable to a 15w-40 for long term wear

Cheers

[mattG]

oilman whats your view on engine/oil flushing?

[oilman]

Should not be necessary with modern oils, only with old fashioned dino oil

Cheers

[maxlee]

thank you for that advice i'll nip back and change it holfords are doing a offer aat the moment buy 5L of ther oil and get a set of free screw drivers so win win i gess

thaanks again

[Bewdley320T]

Mr Oilman, is there an oil/additive that can help with diff wear/whine as we all know that a whining diff. can last for ages but the bloody noise does your head in.

[oilman]

It's whining because there is a problem and oils lubricate, they do not fix problems.

You could try using a thicker oil like Castrol SAF XJ 75w-140 as this may mask the problem.......I will not however solve it.

Cheers
Simon

[BillyWiz]

Hi Oilman, me and my friends are your biggest fans by the way. We were wondering whether oil additives designed to reduce hydraulic tappet noise are safe, whether they are a permanent solution and how the hell they work? Thanks in advance Oilman, you're the best!!!

[y8sey]

Hi Oilman i have 89 325 sport which has done 140,000 miles. I only use it a couple of times per month sometimes stood for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. What oil should i be using and how often should i change it ?
thanks Dave

[sedge]

i agree

[yamoda]

I've used Mobil 1 on all my cars, its bloody expensive though! Is it worth the extra money?

[shiston]

Hi Oilman,

I use repsol elite competition 5w-40 synthetic in my M40 and on colder morning start ups I would hear about 2-4 taps comming from the engine. Other than that all was fine. I have now change to the Repsol elite multivalvalus 10W-40 semi synthetic and have not heared the tapping sound since, even now that its winter hear. Also to I have noticed the engine uses less oil between changes compared to the 5W-40 synthetic. Any ideas as to why this is? I have had a complete head rebuild with new cam lifters, valves, etc about 20,000km ago. Block is still original with 180000kms. Have been using the 10W-40 for the last 10,000kms. Oil and filter are changed every 5000kms.

[oilman]

Hi Oilman, me and my friends are your biggest fans by the way. We were wondering whether oil additives designed to reduce hydraulic tappet noise are safe, whether they are a permanent solution and how the hell they work? Thanks in advance Oilman, you're the best!!!

Putting grease in the box will also quieten it down (although I would not recommend it) but will not cure a mechanical problem.......the only cure is fixing it.

If you put a thicker oil than necessary or an addative to thicken the oil (basically a VI Improver disguised as a magic addative) in the box it will sound better and make you feel better but more likely lead in the meduim term to more damage not less.

Cheers

[oilman]

Hi Oilman i have 89 325 sport which has done 140,000 miles. I only use it a couple of times per month sometimes stood for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. What oil should i be using and how often should i change it ?
thanks Dave

One of these changed annually

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

Cheers

[oilman]

I've used Mobil 1 on all my cars, its bloody expensive though! Is it worth the extra money?

Use mobil synt s 5w-40 here would be my suggestion

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

[oilman]

Hi Oilman,

I use repsol elite competition 5w-40 synthetic in my M40 and on colder morning start ups I would hear about 2-4 taps comming from the engine. Other than that all was fine. I have now change to the Repsol elite multivalvalus 10W-40 semi synthetic and have not heared the tapping sound since, even now that its winter hear. Also to I have noticed the engine uses less oil between changes compared to the 5W-40 synthetic. Any ideas as to why this is? I have had a complete head rebuild with new cam lifters, valves, etc about 20,000km ago. Block is still original with 180000kms. Have been using the 10W-40 for the last 10,000kms. Oil and filter are changed every 5000kms.

No idea, I can only assume that the 5w-40 is not as good as its cracked up to be and therefore not really worth the extra money.

On 5000 mile changes a semi will be fine

Cheers

[furbster]

Hi Oilman,

I have just read the entire contents of both threads and still can't decide what to do!

I have an 89" 325i which I use as a track car. I do drive to and from the circuits and off to the ring next month.

The car was serviced by Mosely Motorsport in April of this year and filled with Valvoline VR1 20w/50 and I have done around 1500 road miles (to and from circuits),two track days and two drift days since.

I wan't to change the oil and filter before I go to the ring and my question to you is what Oil should I use?
When doing the dirft days there were two other E30's that were running very hot and had to pull off and cool down.
Although my oil temp reached around 105*C the water temp didn't go above 90* - we kind of put this down to the oil I was using.

From reading the forum I have come to a conclusion that a 5 or 10w/40 oil would offer more protection at the temps reached, am I right and if so what should I use?

Cheers

[andrews]

furbster, maybe you should try 10W50 or 5W50. If you go for track days and racing, the higher hot viscosity index 50 of the oil will prove the sufficient lubrication and protection at high loads

[hongkongfuey]

oilman

hello, i'm putting in a high comp, b25 in my car, i'm also putting in a highlift cam.

i've used valvolene 'semi synth' 10w40, is that oil ok???

i do drive quite hard sometimes. is there any oil you can suggest to use.

thanks rob

[MrSea]

Hi all,

Just a quick question; What is the oil capacity of the E30 325i? I've got 5 litres of silkolene Pro S 5w40 and wanted to check that this will be enough for a complete oil change.

Many thanks.

[oilman]

Yep, its enough.

4.8ltr.

Cheers

Guy

[Brianmoooore]

Yep, its enough.

4.8ltr.

Cheers

Guy

That must include what's in the oil cooler, which (unless you are totaly obsessive), won't be changed.
4.25 litres is what you need for an oil change, including filter.

[oilman]

My book says 4.4 - 4.8 so I guess I should have said, Upto 4.8ltr.

Cheers

Guy

[Brianmoooore]

It'll be way over the 'full' mark with 4.8 litres.
Biggest capacity E30 is the 324d at 5.5 litres, followed by the 318iS at 4.5 litres.
Next comes the 320/325 M20 at 4.25, and finally the 316/318 M40 at 4.00 litres.

[MrSea]

Good stuff and cheers for the help.

As we have some rather welcome sunshine here this afternoon I might take on the job now.

[oilman]

Have fun

Cheers

Guy

[bodger]

hi guy, i have a 1988 face lift 325 with 110,000 miles on the clock, recent head rebuild and is used generally for short trips in town with the occasional motorway run, i have been putting Fuchs titan 5w 40 in it but it seems a bit rattly with this oil in, is there an alternative grade to quieten it down a bit but still offering good protection

cheers

chris

[oilman]

Is it rattly on start up or all the time when warm as well?

Cheers

Guy

[bodger]

all the time , bit tappy more then rattly

[oilman]

You could try a synthetic 10w-40, that might do it.

Cheers

Guy

[SammySmack]

What a cracking post...
This is real information!!
Cheers

[oilman]

Glad you like it

Do you need any oil advice?

Cheers

Guy

[mk1nuts]

oil man...

im to a bit confused on what oil to use now lol

atm im using MOBIL SUPER S 10w-40 semi synthetic oil in my 325i '89 and in some of the post you have put that i should be using either 5w-40 fully synthetic or 10w - 40 fully synthetic but a range of makes which one shal i go for lol

i use it for fast road use and will be ussing it on the odd track session no and then!

does the 5w or 10w make a differnece?? ovbs i should of gone for fully but your website sates that i should go for semi synthetic 10w-40??

can you addvise me please as it needs doing!!

also i need to change the diff oil too??? any surgestions? as your website give alot of choice

cheers oil man

[oilman]

10w-40 semi synthetic with regular changes is gine, if you want to go better then 5w-40 or 10w-40 synthetic but there are not many 10w-40 synthetics around, they all tend to be semi synthetic.

For good 5w-40 synthetics have a browse here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

For the diff I am a fan of this http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-773-silkole ... l-oil.aspx

Cheers

Guy

[dom-1984-320i]

great post oilman, have enjoyed reading this!

what would you recommend for my 1984 320i, pretty old engine but has been well maintained always used semi synth 10/40. Is that good enough as i would like to keep my diff in good order to as its just started to whine at around 1500 to 2000 rpm.