Oil

[pollyden]

Yes, i know it will have been done to death & i know its not on the list of recommended lubricants, but is 5w30 fully synthetic oil ok to use in the Bongo powerhouse?

[lazyb5]

I found it a little thin when warm as mine used quite a bit when pulling a caravan. I have now moved to 5w-40 synthetic and the old girl doesn't use anywhere near as much. I think the original spec was something like 10w- 40 but I like mine a bit thinner on start up. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along to give a better explanation shortly

[pollyden]

Its ok. I just happen to have a couple of gallons & i cant use it in the motorbike, so i'll just use keep it for the car. . .

[Northern Bongolow]

dont use bike oil, its the same grade but different stuff.

[pollyden]

. . .dont use bike oil. . .

I know. . . thats why i said, i cant use it in the bike . . .

[Northern Bongolow]

oh, i thought you meant you had some bike oil left over, but had changed the bike. sorry.

[pollyden]

Ha ha. . . no, i work at a Vauxhall main dealer & Vauxhalls pretty exclusively use 5w30 fully synth oil, so its easy for me to "obtain" this grade.

Cant use it in the bike as it makes the wet clutch slip.

Would've been good to use put it in the Bongo as i had a surplus, but as its not recommended, i'll just get some 10w40 semi-synth & use that & use the 5w30 fully synth in my car.

[francophile1947]

I thought 5W/30 was the recommended grade for a Bongo - sure I've read it many times on here.

[g8dhe]

I hope so its what I've been using for 4 years!

[pollyden]

Ok. . . will chuck the 5w30 fully synth in the old Bongo then !

Mind you, mine is a 2.5 diesel, not a V6 petrol. . .

[lazyb5]

Just checked the book and 5w-30 is the correct grade but I guess with a few miles the tolerances on engine parts have widened so I have used 5w-40 for about a year now. Hope I haven't just jinxed myself

[pollyden]

Well, my old bus had a reconditioned engine fitted 27000 miles ago, so i guess the wear wont have set in yet. . .

[helen&tony]

Hi
The correct oil for a diesel has "For Turbo Diesel" or similar written on it....oil for a petrol car just won't do....saving a few quid for the sake of ruining thousands isn't mathematically correct...
10/ 40 multigrade is an oil that starts at a higher viscosity than 5/30, and warms to the viscosity of a 40 grade when the 40 grade is hot...It will offer a better lubrication than 30 grade, however, in winter, a 5/40 will help with initial starting and lubrication, or even 5/30 if you are doing only short hops...
As stated many times on here, oils are better than when the Bongo was designed...take advantage of the better quality, and love your engine
Cheers
Helen