Different Oil Spec to Members Fact Sheet: yay or nay?

monkeyboybongo · Post by **monkeyboybongo** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:54 pm

Got some oil and want to check spec is good. It says the following:

API SL/CF ACEA A1, B1

Carlube 5W30 Semi-synthetic.

The factors I bought it from (in Lincoln) say it meets a ford spec for Fredas and other bongo owners have used previously, have used these guys before and they really know their stuff so this is just a belt n braces thing really I want to check. I'm living in Europe so went for 5W30 as its a wee bit chilly here this time of year.

Any members out there used this stuff before? I got 10 litres for 33 quid.

Ta very much

MBB

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:34 pm

I use 5/30 semi synthetic - v happy indeed with it

monkeyboybongo · Post by **monkeyboybongo** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:50 pm

Its the API CD in the members fact sheet I was a little concerned about. The blokes in the shop said that that was no longer produced and that the API mentioned in my previous comment was fine.

I may need Colin L's advice on this one. He is labelled a bit of a oil guru.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:54 pm

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

A lot of info about oils, Colin Lambert will be able to comment on it's usefulness/accuracy.

Post by **Muzorewa** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:00 pm

We're using Texaco's Havoline Energy SAE 5W-30 which has blurb on the can such as ACEA: A1/B1 and API: SL/Energy Conserving and ILSAC GF3, whatever that means.

Claims to be made with synthetic technology, so not a synthetic oil, then

Runs sweet, though

ford tinny · Post by **ford tinny** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:06 pm

Hello,
Great stuff in the Oil bible, I have used computer hard drive magnets on my fuel line for ages and now will be using more of the same on my sump and oil filter
John

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:52 pm

The oil bible has an interesting section on oil extractors like the Pela: the suggestion is that they don't necessarily get all of the oil out. I have to admit, I have never tried opening up the sump plug on my bongo after sucking out the oil with my Pela pump. Has anyone done this to check that the design of the bongo sump is such that the Pela removes 100% of the oil?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:32 pm

nfn wrote:The oil bible has an interesting section on oil extractors like the Pela: the suggestion is that they don't necessarily get all of the oil out. I have to admit, I have never tried opening up the sump plug on my bongo after sucking out the oil with my Pela pump. Has anyone done this to check that the design of the bongo sump is such that the Pela removes 100% of the oil?

I think the Bible is talking B*llocks as far as the Bongo is concerned. The Pela has 1 litre graduations on the tank so you can see how much you are pulling out. And if that is to be believed (and I think it is) it pulls out the lot. I think the Bible's comment is based on the theoretical risk that you may not get the suction pipe into the lowest part of the sump. This doesnt seem to be a problem with the Bongo.

The other thing is one of dilution. If a tiny bit is left but you are putting 6.2 (or 6.7 if filter changed) of new oil in, the little bit of tired oil remaining is going to be very diluted indeed. I imagine you can further improve things by using flushing oil. But as said above, the Pela seems to pull at least as much out of the Bongo as the sump plug removal would (always get the engine warned up first of course so oil is less viscous / more free running).

Anyone want to shoot me down on this. I'm committed to the Pela method (all Bongo ownership is an adventure in risk, saves my back, time etc.) but keen on seeing this one debated