Boxer oil. (1 Viewer)

Oct 19, 2017
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I have a boxer based Autocruise Vista with the 1.9 td engine. It was serviced before I bought it, but I don't know what oil was used. Would it be more likely to be synthetic or mineral? Not knowing, is it safe to mix if I get it wrong. Is it best to drain it and start again?
 

EX51SSS

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I have a boxer based Autocruise Vista with the 1.9 td engine. It was serviced before I bought it, but I don't know what oil was used. Would it be more likely to be synthetic or mineral? Not knowing, is it safe to mix if I get it wrong. Is it best to drain it and start again?
Meme2.jpg
 

DuxDeluxe

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A slightly more helpful answer than the above irrelevant comment is that it is probably 5 or 10w -40 semi synthetic

A bit of discussion on the fiat forum here.... https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/428163-engine-oil-1997-ducato.html although it is a fiat forum the engine is the same. I checked on the Peugeot 1.9td with the same answer

Hope that is of help - it seems that mixing may not be an issue with that type of engine

Edit. Just found this on BP Castrol site which might help as well though that is a fully synthetic oil - just enter reg number https://applications.castrol.com/oi...1994-2006)&modelType=boxer-1-9-td-(1994-2002)

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EX51SSS

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A slightly more helpful answer than the above irrelevant comment is that it is probably 5 or 10w -40 semi synthetic

A bit of discussion on the fiat forum here.... https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/428163-engine-oil-1997-ducato.html although it is a fiat forum the engine is the same. I checked on the Peugeot 1.9td with the same answer

Hope that is of help - it seems that mixing may not be an issue with that type of engine

Edit. Just found this on BP Castrol site which might help as well though that is a fully synthetic oil - just enter reg number https://applications.castrol.com/oi...1994-2006)&modelType=boxer-1-9-td-(1994-2002)
animated-sorry-and-apology-image-0014.gif
 
OP
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Oct 19, 2017
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Thanks DuxDeluxe, most useful. And EX51SSS it did make me laugh!
 

The Nomad

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Do not put a 5 weight oil in an older engine. The crankshaft seals were never designed to cope with such thin oils; it will weep past them into the clutch bellhousing and potentially contaminate the clutch.
A 10 or even 15 grade mineral or semi synthetic is viscous enough for the oil seals to cope with.
Any decent brand of 10 w40 or 15w40 semi synthetic.

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Aug 6, 2013
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Do not put a 5 weight oil in an older engine. The crankshaft seals were never designed to cope with such thin oils; it will weep past them into the clutch bellhousing and potentially contaminate the clutch.
A 10 or even 15 grade mineral or semi synthetic is viscous enough for the oil seals to cope with.
Any decent brand of 10 w40 or 15w40 semi synthetic.
I'm trying to understand how viscosity has any bearing on oil seals? Once we moved on from wetted felt it ceased to be a concern.
 

Allanm

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If it’s any help, I use Total 10w40 semi synthetic in my 1997 2.5 tdi, I used the same grade mineral oil last oil change, ( it was all I could get in France at the time) and the semi synthetic certainly quietened the engine a bit. Mrs A commented that it sounded quieter and felt smoother.
I would recommend 10w40 semi synthetic.
 

The Nomad

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I'm trying to understand how viscosity has any bearing on oil seals? Once we moved on from wetted felt it ceased to be a concern.

Google it or search the Fiat owners forum or check with other experienced mechanics who've worked on these old engines for several decades now.
Or just don't believe me and put a 3 or 5 weight oil in just to see how long it takes to start weeping past your crankshaft seal.

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Aug 6, 2013
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Google it or search the Fiat owners forum or check with other experienced mechanics who've worked on these old engines for several decades now.
Or just don't believe me and put a 3 or 5 weight oil in just to see how long it takes to start weeping past your crankshaft seal.
I don't disbelieve you and I've heard it before. I just don't understand it. Scroll 'seals' and felt or rope needed heavier oil but lip seals contact the shaft. Once that happens they seal as long as there's oil to lubricate the lip. The other issue is that a non-synthetic at 10 can be no better than synthetic at 5 once the engine is hot. So, as l said, l don't really understand.
 
OP
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It's the same with my Moto Guzzis. Synthetics will leak past the seals.
 

Bailey58

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A slightly more helpful answer than the above irrelevant comment is that it is probably 5 or 10w -40 semi synthetic

Well it made me laugh too and I've yet to see a thread asking for info that doesn't produce a witty comment or a pic of someone munching popcorn. :)

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