Oil's Ain't Oil's

[GMH8R]

Hey guy's I'd like to get some opinoins on what damage my motor may have had with the news I got today. I have been taking my fg xr6t ute to a workshop for servicing and today found out that the oil that has been put in my ute for the past 18 000k's is 5w 30 oil. I give it a good squirt most time's I drive it once or twice and did my first gamy little burnout in 6 months last night. And when I asked him why did you guy's put that oil in when the manual says 15w 40 he said It doesn't matter what oil you use as long as it has oil in it. And yes I'm serious A trade qualified mechanic told me those words. time to change who services my ute.

Edited 16/08/09 06:20 AM by GMH8R

[seventytwo]

While the oil is not quite the right spec, 10W40 is usually what people run; if it was a good syth or semi-syth I don't think you would have caused much damage.

[mntxr]

what I can find out of the castrol trade section is that they recommend a 10w 40 semi senthic but will look at work on monday to make sure

[tab]

Sounds like quite a knowledgeable bloke

Unlikely to cause damage under normal operating conditions but with so much to choose from why would you put the wrong oil in? :o

[GMH8R]

Yeah I found it hard to believe myself. Am glad I found this out before I get my tune done, as I would be more concerned if I had say 320rwkw and find out it has been using the wrong spec oil.

:o

[freeze_dk]

So to him it wouldnt matter if you used Extra Virgin Olive Oil?.. It's oil isnt it.. time to find a new workshop

[PHANTMXR6]

Name and shame time.

[seventytwo]

that's not going to fly, if you have a burning need to find out who the company in question is give GMH8R a PM; other wise the name is not to be mentioned in this thread.

If you need clarification on why please read the forum Rules and pay close attention to rule 2

[ZAP]

Sounds like a lazy old school mechanic that has failed to understand modern cars.

While he is technically right about the oil it would depend on what oil you have been running for the past 18k km.

If it has been a good quality synthetic oil, then you will be fine and there should be no damage.

However, I would find a workshop that has better attention to detail.

[Ralph Wiggum]

i have been running 5w30 for over 2 years in my car running between 330 and 350rwkw, i have some very expensive bits going around and around in my engine and have ABSOLUTLTY no adverse affects from the 5w30. Granted mine is fully synthetic but i don't think the oil is a problem

Technically you mechanic is correct, most modern semi synthetics wont hurt a modern engine ( the first sign of an oil pressure issue the car would have let you know), don't forget the ford interval is 15000km's. If you are running shorter intervals and running a higher quality oil than the crap ford use, you will be fine.

I think his attitude is a good reason to move on tho.....