Engine oil - full or semi 2.5TD

[hijimhere]

Can't find my handbook - have a chance to get some 5W30 full synthetic in 2ltr units at £2.25ltr Magnatec. Simply put they are a comon supermarket chain with a petrol station that has a shelf full of unsold 5W30. What does the Bongo panel say pro's & con's

[wonkanoby]

go for it

[hijimhere]

Does any one want me to get some for them????

[Snoozie]

That sounds like a very good bargain, hijim.

I have a 96 4WD Diesel and while on the subject of engine oil, I see from the handbook that I need 5W30 and on a search of this forum I have seen a number of recommendations for Castrol Magnatec .....it must be those little intelligent molecules! I gather from some limited reading that synthetic oil is better than conventional oil.

I need to get some oil and was looking at Magnatec but also saw this -Ford Formula F fully synthetic- which seemed like a good price for what is generally quite expensive. Has anyone used this? The same company's site on ebay works out a better price because delivery is free instead of £6.95, and it is also on Amazon at a similar price.

http://www.trustfirstparts.co.uk/produc ... oCzKvw_wcB

A couple of questions about engine oil as I am clueless .....

1) Are all fully synthetic engine oils 5W-30 much the same? At least those with a 'reassuringly expensive' and similar price?!

2) I am due for a service in a couple of weeks when the oil will be drained and replaced but I could do with topping it up a bit in the meantime. A friend has some 10W40 lying around (which I gather is thicker than 30) - is it OK to top up with a bit of this?

Sorry if these are dumb questions - I'm trying to learn about things to keep my bongo happy

[Simon Jones]

Fully synth has the most benefit when used in an engine from new. Whether it will have any benefit on a 15 - 20 year old engine that has perhaps done 100,000 miles is questionable. Having said that, if I had a choice of mineral vs. semi or fully synth and the price difference was negligible, I would go for the latter.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Don't forget that it must be for a TURBO diesel, whatever you go for
Cheers
Helen

[JoeC]

Snoozie ...
Q2 - won't cause any issues.

[JoeC]

Wouldn't have thought that an old Bongo would need full synthetic. Go for semi and not mineral.

[Snoozie]

Hi
Don't forget that it must be for a TURBO diesel, whatever you go for
Cheers
Helen

Thank you Helen. I wouldn't have known to look specifically for that. I have much to learn but I'm keen to look after my bongo as well as I can, especially as it looks so nice again now it has been repaired after an idiot slammed into the side.

I learn a little bit more every day thanks to this forum.

Thanks to everyone else too for their tips, and JoeC for answering Q2.