I get asked many questions about oil so I thought a thread here for all oil related questions would be a good idea and build into a FAQ or reference point for others.

So, put your oil questions here but please give the following information if you would like a recommendation:

Make

Model

Year

Engine size/type

Any mods

Type of use (road/track)

Additional info (max oil temps, current oil used)

What do you want a recommendation for? Engine, Gearbox etc?

I hope this will help and become a useful thread

Regards

Make: VW Polo

Model: mk3 GT

Year: 1999

Engine size/type: 1600cc AEE engine from a Skoda, using mk3 injection, bigger injectors will be pushing 110bhp+ soon. Road car mainly, gets driven hard on occassion.

Whats your recommendation for me? I'm currently using Fuschs 10w40 from GSF.

Average engine temp is 90 - 95 degrees, not sure what the oil is as i dont have a gauge...

While I'm at it what about gearbox oil never been changed as far as i know

Edited 21 August, 200818 yr by carver

Make: VW

Model: Polo

Year: 1992

Engine size/type: 1341cc 8v

Any mods:

Turbo, forged pistons, 'statted oil cooler etc.

Type of use (road/track):

Both.

Additional info (max oil temps, current oil used):

Up 120 deg C. Currently using 10W40 semi-synth (Quantum, then Millers, currently Fuchs) - engine was run in on Quantum stuff, now done 25k since rebuild.

I'll go off the Golfs spec when it was a 1.3 to get a reccomendation as that is probably where the Polo is heading...

Make: VW

Model: Golf

Year: 1990

Engine size/type: 1272cc 8v 4 pot

Any mods:

268/268 camshaft

4 branch exhaust manifold

Full sports exhaust system

Weber DMTL carburettor

Type of use: road, very very hard

Additional info: Currently using Duckhams 10w40, no idea on temps but have considered an oil cooler

What do you want a recommendation for? Whether an oil cooler is a good idea on a lightly modified but hard driven engine, and what oil and oil change intervals are best. I currently change oil every 3k miles.

Make: VW Polo

Model: mk3 GT

Year: 1999

Engine size/type: 1600cc AEE engine from a Skoda, using mk3 injection, bigger injectors will be pushing 110bhp+ soon. Road car mainly, gets driven hard on occassion.

Whats your recommendation for me? I'm currently using Fuschs 10w40 from GSF.

Average engine temp is 90 - 95 degrees, not sure what the oil is as i dont have a gauge...

While I'm at it what about gearbox oil never been changed as far as i know

The 10w-40 semi from Fuchs is fine, we also sell it. If you wanted to go better then a 5w-40 synthetic, have a look at these http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

For the gearbox a GL4 75w-80 or 75w-90.

Cheers

Guy

Make: VW

Model: Polo

Year: 1992

Engine size/type: 1341cc 8v

Any mods:

Turbo, forged pistons, 'statted oil cooler etc.

Type of use (road/track):

Both.

Additional info (max oil temps, current oil used):

Up 120 deg C. Currently using 10W40 semi-synth (Quantum, then Millers, currently Fuchs) - engine was run in on Quantum stuff, now done 25k since rebuild.

The Fuchs 10w-40 is good stuff but not really up to track use or 120degc for long periods. I would go with a decent 5w-40 synthetic such as the Fuchs Titan Supersyn 5w-40 or the Motul 8100 Xcess 5w-40, being synthetic they wil offer more protection.

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

Cheers

Guy

I'll go off the Golfs spec when it was a 1.3 to get a reccomendation as that is probably where the Polo is heading...

Make: VW

Model: Golf

Year: 1990

Engine size/type: 1272cc 8v 4 pot

Any mods:

268/268 camshaft

4 branch exhaust manifold

Full sports exhaust system

Weber DMTL carburettor

Type of use: road, very very hard

Additional info: Currently using Duckhams 10w40, no idea on temps but have considered an oil cooler

What do you want a recommendation for? Whether an oil cooler is a good idea on a lightly modified but hard driven engine, and what oil and oil change intervals are best. I currently change oil every 3k miles.

The oil change intervals are fine for the duckhams 10w-40, gor for a synthetic and you will be changing at 8-10,000 miles.

Before you go for an oil cooler you need to find out if you need one so an oil temp quage is a better investment at this stage. The 10w-40 semi will struggle over 110degc, a 5w-40 synthetic is happy up to 130degc and a good 15w-50 synthetic is happy at 150degc all day long.

Cheers

Guy.

Make - VW

Model - Polo 16v

Year - 1997/98

Engine size/type - 1390cc 16v

Any mods - engine is just run in - its brand new - clock just passed 5000 miles (old engine snapped its timing belt and smashed all 16 valves and 3 pistons!) - only mods so far are a gas flowed head!

But it will be getting cams, exhaust system & maybe R1 Bike carbs

Type of use (road/track) - fast A-roads & motorway cruising

No idea whats currently in it!!

If it has been run in it should have either a 15w-40 mineral or a 10w-40 semi in there (100% mineral base for the running in) now this is complete you can either go with a 10w-40 semi with regular changes or as a better quality choice a 5w-40 synthetic.

Plenty to have a look at here http://www.opieoils.co.uk

Cheers

Guy

Yes - its just passed its run in mileage (1000 miles without breaking 4000rpm - 3000 miles with no topspeed runs and regular checkes of the oil level)

Probably going for the 5w-40!

vw polo

1600 8v (spi)

1994/95

takes a fair bit of caning on the road and will very very ocasionally be going on the track

MODS: intake and exhaust ( some point in the future cam and mapped)

mileage 95k

cheers dudes

Edited 9 September, 200818 yr by polo6n1.6cl

I would go for a good 5w-40 synthetic if the car is used hard.

Have a look at the Fuchs titan supersyn 5w-40 and the Motul 8100 Xcess 5w-40 here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

Cheers

Guy

Make: Vauxhall

Model: Corsa

Year: 2000

Engine size/type: 1.2 16v

Any mods: standard

Type of use: Road

What make would reccomend? Would Fuschs 10w40 be okay?

Yep, will be fine.

You can find it here http://www.opieoils.co.uk

Cheers

Guy

How do you rate Castrol GTX 10w/40 semi in a Polo 16v? Just put some in after using Mobil Super S which made the tappets sound very noisy!

vw polo

1600 8v (spi)

1994/95

takes a fair bit of caning on the road and will very very ocasionally be going on the track

MODS: intake and exhaust ( some point in the future cam and mapped)

mileage 95k

cheers dudes

Same as that...

But no mods, the car is totally standard..

just turned 50k mileage

Driven every day getting to uni, 16 mile round trip...

I rag its arse off occasionally too

Cheers

Make --- VW

Model --- Polo GT

Year --- 1994

Engine size/type --- 1.3

Any mods.

KandN cone filter, 4 branch manifold, chip in the near future.

Type of use --- road

engine oil?????

How do you rate Castrol GTX 10w/40 semi in a Polo 16v? Just put some in after using Mobil Super S which made the tappets sound very noisy!

The GTX is pretty simple stuff, a basic mineral/semi synthetic. If you want to try and keep tappet noise down then have a look at 5w-40 synthetic.

Cheers

Guy

vw polo

1600 8v (spi)

1994/95

takes a fair bit of caning on the road and will very very ocasionally be going on the track

MODS: intake and exhaust ( some point in the future cam and mapped)

mileage 95k

cheers dudes

Same as that...

But no mods, the car is totally standard..

just turned 50k mileage

Driven every day getting to uni, 16 mile round trip...

I rag its arse off occasionally too

Cheers

I would go with a good 5w-40 synthetic, plenty to choose from here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-656-5w-40.aspx

Cheers

Guy

Make --- VW

Model --- Polo GT

Year --- 1994

Engine size/type --- 1.3

Any mods.

KandN cone filter, 4 branch manifold, chip in the near future.

Type of use --- road

engine oil?????

10w-40 semi synthetic with regular changes, or as a better quality choice a 5w-40 synthetic.

You can find a service pack (oil and filter) for it here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-341-car-service-packs.aspx

Cheers

Guy

Make - vw

Model - polo

Year - '95

Engine size/type - 1.4l

Any mods - nope

Type of use (road/track) - road

What do you want a recommendation for? - both please

For the engine a 10w-40 semi synthetic with regular changes is ideal, if you want to go better then look at a 5w-40 synthetic.

For the gearbox you will need the Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75w-80 http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-981-fuchs-tita...sion-fluid.aspx

Cheers

Guy

thanks alot that helps loads ended up buying castrol magnatec from halfrauds!

Make: Vw

Model: Polo

Year: 93

Engine size/type 1.3 spi

Any mods: Chip and soon a induction kit

Type of use (road/track): Road

10w-40 semi synthetic, regular changes is ideal.

Have a look at the Fuchs XTR 10w-40 here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-990-fuchs-tita...engine-oil.aspx

Cheers

Guy