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[Greenbay packer]

Could someone confirm that a 10W-40 semi synthetic oil is the  correct oil to use on a 1998 2.5 V6?  I've always thought it was, but have recently seen references to 5W-40 and 15W-40's being used.

Also, are Unipart and Halfords own oils ok to use?

Thanks for any replies.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Vauxhall 10-40 Semi Synthetic

[Elite Pete]

Spend £20 on a member ship to Autobahn Stormers and they will send you a Trade Card you can then buy your Vauxhall service items including oil much cheaper than the Halfords stuff

[henryd]

autodata list; cold climate  5w30
                moderate climate 15w40
                     hot climate    20w40
alternative moderate climate  10w40 semi synthetic

don't know about halfords oils but I use a lot of unipart oils and have had no issues

[Greenbay packer]

Thanks for the info - that Autobahn Stormers card sounds useful, I'll definitely look into that  !

[I_want_an_Omega]

Ok "Mr Cheesehead" - having spent most of 1997 in the Chicago area I think you should explain to the Forum your OOF name and what I've just callled you.

I have to say I found it most amusing to see 

[Greenbay packer]

Not at Soldier field supporting them Pussies - I mean Bears I hope?

[I_want_an_Omega]

Not all interested in the sports side of things ........

Just amazed at the headwear the fans wear! Why?

Dare you to post a picture .............

[Bose Addict]

'always used 10-40 semi-synthetic as advised above until a main dealer insisted on using Vauxhall fully Synthetic (0-40 I think) last year.  I have to say it made a difference, quieter running, especially cold starts.    Extortionate price though........

[Andy H]

I switched to using 5w30 fully synthetic a few years ago because 10w40 is just too thick in a cold engine. It leaves the tappets sounding like a castanet player having an epileptic fit after a cold start and puts unnecessary strain on the oil pump.

2 stroke oil in use nowadays is almost all fully synthetic because it produces much less ash/soot deposits than mineral oil. My thinking is that synthetic 4 stroke oil will result in a cleaner engine for the same reason.

I'm willing to accept that I may be totally wrong but the same people who religiously advocate 10w40 semi-synth also seem to spend their weekends unblocking engine breathers, fixing noisy tappets and diagnosing terminal engine failures that seem to be caused by lubrication failure

The clincher for me is that last time I changed the oil VX were running a 'buy 3 get 1 free' offer which meant 4x 5 litres of 5w30 for £50 using my ABS membership

[Andy H]

Apparently VX are still running the 4 for 3 offer.

5W30 dexos2, 5 litre part number 93165557
Offer price for four cans £50.10
Equivalent to £2.51/litre

10W40 Semi synthetic, 5 litre part number 93165216
Offer price for four cans £32.67       
Equivalent to £1.63/litre

[TheBoy]

I switched to using 5w30 fully synthetic a few years ago because 10w40 is just too thick in a cold engine. It leaves the tappets sounding like a castanet player having an epileptic fit after a cold start and puts unnecessary strain on the oil pump.

2 stroke oil in use nowadays is almost all fully synthetic because it produces much less ash/soot deposits than mineral oil. My thinking is that synthetic 4 stroke oil will result in a cleaner engine for the same reason.

I'm willing to accept that I may be totally wrong but the same people who religiously advocate 10w40 semi-synth also seem to spend their weekends unblocking engine breathers, fixing noisy tappets and diagnosing terminal engine failures that seem to be caused by lubrication failure

The clincher for me is that last time I changed the oil VX were running a 'buy 3 get 1 free' offer which meant 4x 5 litres of 5w30 for £50 using my ABS membership

No problem to use the synth, but don't get swayed by the longer service interval.  I'm a big believer in using a cheaper, though still good quality, oil, but changing more regular.

OK, so I have an issue that may or may not be related to some engine work, but I am still more comfortable with fresh semi every 3k than I am with synth every 5k.  Those in the know that have been in the bowels on my engine have commented on it cleanliness.  Additionally, although I go through the motions, that car have only suffered breather issues when I first got it.


Some oils, Castrol spring to mind, just does not suit that engine - look at any Castrol filled Omega and notice the breathers are all mayo'd up...



As I have no plans to change from my 3k oil changes on any of the cars or the bike (annually - I don't do 3k in a year  ), I am content to stick to GM's semi synth.  The lawnmower doesn't care what it has, so that can stick on an annual dollop of GM semi as well

[Andy H]

I switched to using 5w30 fully synthetic a few years ago because 10w40 is just too thick in a cold engine. It leaves the tappets sounding like a castanet player having an epileptic fit after a cold start and puts unnecessary strain on the oil pump.

2 stroke oil in use nowadays is almost all fully synthetic because it produces much less ash/soot deposits than mineral oil. My thinking is that synthetic 4 stroke oil will result in a cleaner engine for the same reason.

I'm willing to accept that I may be totally wrong but the same people who religiously advocate 10w40 semi-synth also seem to spend their weekends unblocking engine breathers, fixing noisy tappets and diagnosing terminal engine failures that seem to be caused by lubrication failure

The clincher for me is that last time I changed the oil VX were running a 'buy 3 get 1 free' offer which meant 4x 5 litres of 5w30 for £50 using my ABS membership

No problem to use the synth, but don't get swayed by the longer service interval.  I'm a big believer in using a cheaper, though still good quality, oil, but changing more regular.

OK, so I have an issue that may or may not be related to some engine work, but I am still more comfortable with fresh semi every 3k than I am with synth every 5k.  Those in the know that have been in the bowels on my engine have commented on it cleanliness.  Additionally, although I go through the motions, that car have only suffered breather issues when I first got it.


Some oils, Castrol spring to mind, just does not suit that engine - look at any Castrol filled Omega and notice the breathers are all mayo'd up...



As I have no plans to change from my 3k oil changes on any of the cars or the bike (annually - I don't do 3k in a year  ), I am content to stick to GM's semi synth.  The lawnmower doesn't care what it has, so that can stick on an annual dollop of GM semi as well

I agree with pretty much everything above. I hadn't realised that 3k was a years motoring though. If an engine is left standing with old oil in it then I understand it can be quite corrosive so changing at least once a year is a good idea....

I seem to be looking at around 20,000 mostly motorway miles this year. 3k oil changes just aren't going to happen.....

[TheBoy]

I switched to using 5w30 fully synthetic a few years ago because 10w40 is just too thick in a cold engine. It leaves the tappets sounding like a castanet player having an epileptic fit after a cold start and puts unnecessary strain on the oil pump.

2 stroke oil in use nowadays is almost all fully synthetic because it produces much less ash/soot deposits than mineral oil. My thinking is that synthetic 4 stroke oil will result in a cleaner engine for the same reason.

I'm willing to accept that I may be totally wrong but the same people who religiously advocate 10w40 semi-synth also seem to spend their weekends unblocking engine breathers, fixing noisy tappets and diagnosing terminal engine failures that seem to be caused by lubrication failure

The clincher for me is that last time I changed the oil VX were running a 'buy 3 get 1 free' offer which meant 4x 5 litres of 5w30 for £50 using my ABS membership

No problem to use the synth, but don't get swayed by the longer service interval.  I'm a big believer in using a cheaper, though still good quality, oil, but changing more regular.

OK, so I have an issue that may or may not be related to some engine work, but I am still more comfortable with fresh semi every 3k than I am with synth every 5k.  Those in the know that have been in the bowels on my engine have commented on it cleanliness.  Additionally, although I go through the motions, that car have only suffered breather issues when I first got it.


Some oils, Castrol spring to mind, just does not suit that engine - look at any Castrol filled Omega and notice the breathers are all mayo'd up...



As I have no plans to change from my 3k oil changes on any of the cars or the bike (annually - I don't do 3k in a year  ), I am content to stick to GM's semi synth.  The lawnmower doesn't care what it has, so that can stick on an annual dollop of GM semi as well

I agree with pretty much everything above. I hadn't realised that 3k was a years motoring though. If an engine is left standing with old oil in it then I understand it can be quite corrosive so changing at least once a year is a good idea....

I seem to be looking at around 20,000 mostly motorway miles this year. 3k oil changes just aren't going to happen.....

Sorry, to clarify, I meant the bike does less than 3k.  The cars do loads more...

[Greenbay packer]

Apparently VX are still running the 4 for 3 offer.

5W30 dexos2, 5 litre part number 93165557
Offer price for four cans £50.10
Equivalent to £2.51/litre

10W40 Semi synthetic, 5 litre part number 93165216
Offer price for four cans £32.67       
Equivalent to £1.63/litre

Are these prices with the ABS discount?  What percentage reduction do you get with membership?  I think on balance I'll stick to the semi synth (for this oil change at least), but £32 for four cans is pretty good. 

I also need to clean my breathers due to the mayo issue - I've see the guide on this forum, but was wondering if this could be done without removing the plenum.  With the scuttle off and the bolt under the ecotec cover removed, will the breather (I'm assuming this black plastic box that the pipes connect to is the breather!) not lift out, or am I missing something?