Porsche 924 engine oil

[arceye]

OK chaps, Arceye, in true usual form has gone and done something stupid,

yup, just a month on from the Minis completion it is set to leave me in a few days time. Largely fetched on by guilt brought about by ferrying the good lady to and from hospital for electrical injections to her spinal nerves, in sub zero temps and the cold bouncy mini. One too many grimaces seen coming from the passenger seat for Arceyes conscience to remain guilt free

So, in my garage is now sat a Porsche 924 ( a compromise as at least it is warm and reasonably comfortable) poverty spec 2.0 (Ok its a VW with an Audi engine and a Porsche badge)

I'm going to give it a service this week but searching the net throws up using anything from 5/30 to 20/50 oil, I'm thinking 20/50 on a 90k miles engine is probably ok but does anyone know what I should be putting in?

And, should I be getting a ZDDP additive in there with it.

Cheers Chaps

[alabbasi]

Most diesel rated motor oils have good levels of zddp and work really well with older engines.

[Luxobarge]

I'd use 10/40 semi-synth in that I think.

[kevin]

I would concur with and go 10-40 semi in that (Asda usually have Castrol GTX 10/40 semi on offer at £12 a tub)
They are generally berated as not being a 'real' Porsche but having driven a few of them, in good order they are a lovely motor.

Enjoy

kev

[arceye]

Thanks Chaps, 10/40 it will be then

Alabassi mentions diesel engine oil for the ZDDP, appreciate more info on this re any potential problems. Used to be told never to use Diesel Engine oil in a petrol due to the detergents, is it actually ok to do this? Any risks I should be aware of if going that route, any procedures such as an engine flush prior to using it? Or just stick with the normal stuff.

I have actually seen mention on a couple of forums of people using the Diesel Oil in petrol engines, but it seems contrary to what I was always led to believe was ok.

Cheers Chaps

[JPB]

Another vote for a 10w40 semi synth, at 90k the Passat engine in the 924 will be unlikely to have any detectable wear so it deserves decent oil. Using an oil intended for a Diesel engine in a petrol one won't hurt but the detergent will loosen all manner of things that are best left alone and ZDDP levels are more about the spec of the oil than whether it's meant for Diesel or petrol engines. Think about it; the oil is only ever in contact with engine parts that share their function across fuel types.
The engine you have doesn't require higher levels of ZDDP than the oil you'd use in a split new engine of similar spec but more will do no harm.
I'd also consider a fully synthetic to get the best from the engine's potential long life but only once you've owned it long enough to establish that the engine doesn't burn oil, otherwise you'd be spending more on topups than on fuel given that some examples of this engine can use a pint every 300-1000 miles, though they usually kick that habit once they have 50k plus showing.

[tractorman]

From experience with my Passat, I've think very carefully before swapping from mineral to semi-synthetic oil - it's a long process to get the car "weaned" to the more modern oils - and, although I did change the new oil fairly soon after filling it (within 1000 miles), it had already cleaned the engine a bit too much! I read that you should change the oil after about 500 miles, another 1,000 miles and gradually work up to the recommended change frequency (though I still change at around 6K). This is quite an expensive exercise!

I'd stick with good old mineral oil (though it could be a 15-40ish sort of thing) in a high-mileage older engine (noting that, before if blew, my Golf had 115K in just over four years - and still used the correct VW-spec oil!). There'd be a lot of muck in the engine and cleaning it out may not be the best thing to do!

I think oils have come on a long way over the last twenty years or so and, at one time, had to use ordinary GTX in the Golfs as there weren't these special diesel-car oils - just high detergent ones for tractors. I checked with the local oil experts when I bought the first Golf (in 1990) and was told to use GTX.

I well remember the J4 van that my first boss had in 1970. He was a typical tight wad farmer (actually, he was broke and eventually went bankrupt!). They used "TOU" (Tractor Oil Universal - which was "high detergent" in those days) in the van - it soon cleaned the engine out to the extent that it did well under 100 miles per litre and could put out a cloud of smoke that could rival a navy destroyer making a smokescreen!

[kevin]

Not sure about car engines, but in my classic bikes, I always use 20/50 turbo diesel engine oil (my mate gets it in 25ltr drums at great prices). its gets changed regulary and seems to keep the engines nice and clean plus they seem to run smoother and a lot quieter on it..

Good oil, changed regular is the best oil every time for me.

kev

[arceye]

All good stuff,

cheers Chaps

Now just have to find a spare clutch cable at a sensible price (I like to have a few "fail to proceed" replacement items about just in case) £30 for a pre '79 car, £130 + for a '80 to '85 model (mines an '84) Most stuff however seems very reasonable so if I have to bite the bullet on that one it won't be all bad at all.

Hoping to put the old girl through her paces with a run down to Lancs just after Xmas so trying to get as much sorted before then as possible

[rich.]

pics please