Austarion

Ok before you go he's crazy hear me out for a moment, I'm referring to a mixed fleet diesel oil, namely Caltex Delo 400 Multigrade.

Im using this oil at the moment for both my bikes and am considering putting it into the starion (when it finally gets back on the road).

The reasons why is because

• it is designed for turbocharger conditions

• has a high zinc content to protect the engine particularly the valvetrain with our flat tappet system

• has good detergents to clean the engine

• has a high base stock which controls the acids that form and suspenses wear causing contaminants

• its really cheap so frequent changes arent an issue

• diesel engines while they dont rev high, have massive loads on the bearings, so the oil has to withstand this load

The only issue is the viscosity is 15-40, which might be abit low, especially in a competative environment.

Any comments?

Wrong oil viscosity can affect a few things. Oil pressure at start up and at running temp is the first thing that comes to mind. Have a read of this http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

www.18u wrote:Wrong oil viscosity can affect a few things. Oil pressure at start up and at running temp is the first thing that comes to mind. Have a read of this http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

Standard starion requires 20-50 right? So the delo will be thinner at startup which is good, question is would 40 be too thin at operating temps?

15W40 will be fine.

Check the Forced Performance website as it has a list of oils with high zinc content.FWIW i'm useing BRAD PENN 20-50. It only comes in a carton pack for app$120.00 which will do 3 oil changes and is the one that David Buschur raccomends/uses

What api ratings etc does the Caltex meet?

I run diesel oil in my starion. I woiuld be mainly concerned with the oil breaking down at the higher temps that petrol engines see.

dirtygalant wrote:15W40 will be fine.

DG - how with a 40 weight go with a starion on the track? What oil did you use when you took your car to the track?

1320ft - its rated API SL, SJ, SH

oldie - I will have to have a look at the site.

andriano - with the oil being for mixed fleet as well as turbo applications, would breaking down be an issue?

I used 20W50 as it was using oil (turbo seals) and was going through it quickly so was just using the cheap stuff which happened to come in 20W50. With the new engine I'm running it in on 15W40 running in oil then going to switch to 15W40 or 10W40 afterwards.

I would be looking to an oil that meets the following:

API SM/CF
ACEA A3/B4

there is a sticker on the door of my car that says 5W30 can also be used in cooler climates.. It looks original to me, but i'm easily fooled. I will take a picture and post it if people are interested.

yeah, where cooler climates = below freezing in Europe or Japan, not a 'cold' 20C on an Australian winter's day :P

dirtygalant wrote:yeah, where cooler climates = below freezing in Europe or Japan, not a 'cold' 20C on an Australian winter's day :P

20 deg is freezing for me.

It could be 35 and I still wear jeans.

wimp... or as you aussies say - 'poofter' :P

This makes me wonder what I should be running in my euro starion. I have used 20-50 but the last time i used 15-40. Engine has had all new bearings and rings but most else original.