Silly question - how do I do an oil and dispose of it

[mikeonb4c]

You guys are the business - if I mess it up now I deserve no sympathy. By the way, since we are back on the 'put a new washer on' tack - where do you buy them from?

[richrich]

No need to buy a new washer, if it's definitely copper ?

Just heat it till it glows over a gas ring. That anneals it, and it can re-used no problem

[mikeonb4c]

I expect 2 x black eyes when the missus catches me doing it and hits me over the head with a frying pan!

Seriously though, fantastic - thanks for that tip!!

Mike

[Timnz]

All this talk of oil changes, I changed mine at 4000km initially, with standard diesel 15-40 oil, it was pretty black, but another 5000km rolled by, and I changed the oil recently,( 2.5TD) and I had previously put in Penrite HPR diesel 15 oil, and after 5000km it wasn't even black, still looked like I could have gone another 2000km..
Mine has 90,000km on it, so the quality of oil must affect how often you need to change it.. the oil does advertise superior soot handling, and ability to handle longer service intervals between changes...
It is a semi synthetic... I might just leave it till 7000km next time, and see how dirty it is...

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks TimNZ - I find myself inclined to your view. As a busy working dad, I might slip a little on oil change intervals. If this happens, the expensive oil justifies its cost if it stays effective for longer and recovers (some of) its cost because I'm changing oil at wider intervals. I would have thought clean looking oil is very likely to be good working oil. However, I'm not an expert. Anyone care to comment on all this?

Mike

[Colin Lambert]

See my post, this thread 13th Dec.
If engine oil does not go black within 100 miles it is not doing its job. (unless your engine is VERY low mileage. But on an engine with 90K Km under it's belt it should not stayclean, assuming you have not been rebored etc,etc.

[motorwizard]

I would recommend changing the sump plug washer every other service, If they become hard or distorted then you tend to overtighten to compensate. When working for a manufacturer our dealers used to change washer each time I have known plugs to come out if not. If I dont have a new washer I use a dab of hylomar just to stick it against vibration. When you next do an oil change measure the plug and buy a few washers in a motor factors so you are ready for the next time

Happy Christmas

[mikeonb4c]

Good advice & thanks. I'll note your point about black oil Colin. Still like the idea of quality oil allowing me to be 'more flexible' on service intervals - waddya think on that Colin?

[Timnz]

hmm depends what you mean by black... I'm saying after I've done a oil change, it is hard to tell the colour of the oil on the dipstick as it is so thin.. after 100 miles it just barely has a greyish tinge to it. Compared to most petrol vehicles with a 10000 km oil change cycle, mine at 5000km still looked like it could go 2000km longer.
Sometimes the oil deposits in the engine will dirty up the oil really quick, I had one car that literally had black oil and driving out of the driveway after an oil change. It took 3 flushes and 3 changes of oil one after the other for 2 hours to get it clean..
My Bongo oil looked like most petrol engined cars look like after 7000km, speculating of course...

[fordavefreda]

[quote="Timnz"] it is hard to tell the colour of the oil on the dipstick as it is so thin..

i don't mean to sound dumb but yesterday i went to do a fluid check for the first time but couldn't find the dipstick

any advice?

[alant54]

Look at this thread

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =oil+level

Alan

[fordavefreda]

aaaahhhhh......

cheers dave.