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[Entwood]

Please don't shoot me .. oil question ...   

Just had a neighbour visit ... seems he's clearing a deceased relatives garage and has found a complete box of 4 x 5ltr vauxhall oil  which he has just given me as I'm the only one he knows who does his own servicing ... very kind of him IMHO ....

However, it's 5W30 and I've always used 10W40, as the book recommends, so the question is .....

Can 5W30 be used in a 165000 mile 3,2 omega without causing any problems ??

[Doctor Gollum]

It made mine leak... Won't actually break it though

[Lazydocker]

As per DG... It may leak but won't hurt it

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Would it be worth mixing it 50/50 with 10/40 ? Might help prevent leakage ? 

[Lazydocker]

Might be worth sending it my way instead. Then there's no risk of leaking

[johnnydog]

I have a 60,000 mile 3.2, which had been serviced all its life with 10/40's semi synthetic. Although the 10/40 GM oil is very good in my opinion in the Omega, I changed the oil when I got the car, using GM 5/30's, thinking I'd treat it to the 'good stuff'.
I subsequently noticied the odd trace of what I would describe as 'fresh oil stains' rather than a long established oil stain; I spoke to a Vauxhall technician friend who advised me to go back to the 10/40's as "that was what the car was use to(??)", and lo and behold - no more minor oil leaks.
I now run my Omegas on nothing but GM Trade Club 10/40 semi synthetic, with no issues at all.
Incidentally, I don't know what difference there is between the trade club 10/40's oil in the big drum, and the 5 ltr of GM 10/40 oil in the blue tub, but the TC oil seems a darker colour against the golden colour of the 5 ltr tub?

[jb]

gm 5/30 is dexos 2 spec oil suitable for common rail derv engines as well as petrol engines. Should be fine but will be more likely to leak....

[tunnie]

I've stuck 5/30 in my 3.2, when it was on offer at Halfords, car now on 159k. Never noticed any issues.

[Doctor Gollum]

Buy the Mrs a new Corsa to replace the Clip and use it for that

[Webby the Bear]

I too had leaks from cam covers with 5/30. 10/40 and the gasket change later not a problem. Though I would like new vx covers n gaskets next time but that's a different discussion

[VXL V6]

Yes I always stick with 10W40 after suffering the same issues as above when running on 5W30

[peter the butcher]

and why is synthetic on every garage shelf, had a right job in halford the other week, getting some to keep in my boot

[baggers]

I hate the thought of using anything less than a 40 grade in mine (never have, never will) the temperature that oil gets to from time to time makes you think of the extra protection you get.  When you have a oil temp gauge fitted it's surprising how certain circumstamces increase the temp.

Take a look at some data sheets of different oils and look at the protection you get at 100 deg

Makes you wonder why a lot of 6 year old engines smoke crap oil poor service intervals 

[biggriffin]

A 10/40 semi will when in use have thinner viscosity than 5/30 fully in the same situation,.

I use 5/30 in mine no problems,

[baggers]

Useful link
http://www.viscopedia.com/viscosity-tables/substances/engine-oil/

Mobil 1 5W-30   
Viscosity 100ºC       11.0

Mobil Super 2000 X1   10W-40
Viscosity 100ºC           14.4

======================================

EDGE 5W-30
Viscosity, 100C           12.0


Castrol MAGNATEC 10W-40
Viscosity, 100C           14.2

[Entwood]

many thanks for all the comments, methinks I'll forgo the possible risks of leaks and stick with 10W40 .. 

[johnnydog]

My understanding is that one benefit of 5/30 oils (fully synthetic) is for the extended / variable service intervals that many manufacturers quote i.e. VW and Audi for example, 20k or 2 years.
Depending on an annual mileage of say 10k, a yearly oil change with GM's 10/40 semi synthetic is sufficient for an Omega. For the cost of an oil and filter, twice a year, or if harder use or higher mileage, isn't unreasonable in my opinion.

[Keith ABS]

If anyone is interested, Autovaux doing special on both 10/40&5/30 until tonight

Keith ABS

[Kevin Wood]

Mine has been run on 5w30 since I bought it at 40k. No issues and no leaks. It's actually the specified oil for the 3.2, of course. I wouldn't be passing on that one!

[baggers]

You know what they say "long life oil, short life engine".  Anyone who knows what goes on in an engine wouldn't leave oil in for these crazy long service intervals.

[Entwood]

Mine has been run on 5w30 since I bought it at 40k. No issues and no leaks. It's actually the specified oil for the 3.2, of course. I wouldn't be passing on that one!

OK .. this has convinced me ..   When the present stock of 10W40 runs out I'll use the gizit 5W30 ... Never look a gift horse ......   

[johnnydog]

Mine has been run on 5w30 since I bought it at 40k. No issues and no leaks. It's actually the specified oil for the 3.2, of course. I wouldn't be passing on that one!

Where is this actually specified? My owners handbook states both SAE 5/30 and 10/40 are suitable for the 3.2.
One benefit of 5/30 is that it is suitable for cold start temperatures down to -25 degrees C, as opposed to -20 degrees C for the 10/40. I don't think I need to worry about that in the UK. I'll stick with the 10/40's......

[baggers]

I have just had a look at a couple of sites that make oil recommendations for different vehicles one of which is often mentioned on here, none of them have 5W30 as a recommended oil for the 3.2.

It may listed in the handbook, but for what country climate?

[omega2018]

My 2.6 V6 has been on 5/40 fully syn for the last 30k miles and 7 changes, seems fine.

incidentally I have recently lagged the oil filler pipe, this seems to have stopped the slight mayo i used to get. lid still unlagged so moisture could condense there if it wanted to, but doesn't. 

[Kevin Wood]

When the service intervals were extended to 20k for the Omega petrol models, this was made conditional on the use of the GM Dexos2 5w30 oils, so this is what would have been used at a main dealer.

Of course, you'd be mad to leave it that long, although it lasts much better than the semi synth 10W40, and the difference in actual viscosity with a 10W40 oil at normal working temperature is pretty minimal, so both will work just fine. 

[peter the butcher]

so I am a bit ignorant of the oil debate. I  changed oil/filter last week, or rather raywilb did. And went to the vauxhall main dealership here, and bought oil from them, and was given 10/40, so I presumed it what they say is recommended

Peter