Ducato Euro 4 engine oil

[Wagoneer]

The engine is a Fiat 3 litre, 160 multijet, built 2008 (Euro 4).

Just had service done and they've filled with 5W-30 fully synthetic engine oil.

Fiat handbook recommends 5W-40, semi-synthetic.

The 5W-30 fully synthetic oil seems to be specified for Fiat Euro 5 engines. This oil seems very thin. I mainly use the vehicle in warmer climes so would prefer a 5W-40 oil.

I've read about modern fully synthetic oils being used with the earlier 2.8 JTD engine, resulting in oil leaks at the seals.

Am I worrying unnecessarily. What do other funsters use with this engine ?

PS. The 5W-40 semi-synthetic oil seems to be difficult to source and more expensive than the fully synthetic equivalent.

 

[Figaro]

Don't know about oil leaks although I have heard the reports.
I'd get garage to put the correct oil in.
Did they tell you, oh by the way we put the wrong oil in ???
Cheeky bu##ers !

 

[pappajohn]

If it was an independent garage it would be bulk tank oil and everyone gets the same unless you either specify, at a premium price, or provide your own oil.
The garage won't stock a dozen different oils which may be used sometimes.

 

[Wagoneer]

Don't know about oil leaks although I have heard the reports.
I'd get garage to put the correct oil in.
Did they tell you, oh by the way we put the wrong oil in ???
Cheeky bu##ers !

I only found out today after emailing them to ask what type of oil they used. This was so I would know what oil to top-up with between services.

My suspicions were triggered when I checked the dipstick and noticed the oil looked very thin.

 

[Wagoneer]

If it was an independent garage it would be bulk tank oil and everyone gets the same unless you either specify, at a premium price, or provide your own oil.
The garage won't stock a dozen different oils which may be used sometimes.

That's interesting, thanks. It was serviced by a water company who obviously run a fleet of commercial vehicles. No doubt most of their vehicles are fairly new so will have bulk oil suitable for their current fleet.

I've used this company for a number of years. The previous time I enquired about grade of oil used, was told 5W-40 semi-synthetic which is what my handbook recommends.

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[Wagoneer]

Update. Since posting, I've received some quite encouraging advice from the outandabout forum about engine oils to use for the Euro 4 engine (2007 to 2011).

Derek Uzzell and Nick Fisher (MMM resident base vehicle expert, especially Fiat) have advised that the use of 5W-30 fully synthetic is a satisfactory alternative to the 5W-40 semi-synthetic oil as recommended in the user manual.

In fact, Nick who recently ran a fleet of Fiat vans has been using 5W-30 fully synthetic in Euro 4 engines for quite a few years now without any oil leak problems.

Thought I'd just share for the benifit of Funsters.