205 Gti Synthetic Oil

[rachel_kgr]

Hi Chaps,

I have been using the same oil in my car for ages, but have never thought to check it was the correct one!!! Those who know me, know I am putting off dealing with some smoking which may be the valve seals....still looking for a reliable chap in the SE to sort this out.

Anyway, I am putting in Castrol Edge 0W-40 Fully Synthetic........is this OK...? If not what other Synthetic Catrol product will do?

Thanks as always

Rachel

[RT106]

Sounds fine to me.

In connection with 205's you often read that synthetic oils aren't suitable because they're too thin. But don't believe a word of it, it's nonsense.

[Kitchski]

The zero bit in 0W40 only relates to the viscoscity of the oil when cold. The original recommended oil was 10w40, so in that respect once at N.O.T it'll be fine. But if it's smoking a bit, you might find a change to a thicker oil might reduce the smoke.

I've got a BX 16v in the fleet with the 16v version of the 1.9GTi engine. When I got it the valve stem seals were a bit perished and the car would puff hints of blue smoke when revved. After being recommended by a mate to use Castrol RS 10w60 FS oil I filled with this and the smoke stopped. Car sounded alot happier, although took longer for the oil to warm up which wasn't a problem...I never thrashed it cold.

[Simes205]

10w40 Magnetec or Shell Helix 10w40 is fine. If you're valve stem seals are leaking then using a thin synthetic is a waste.
I used 15w40 for a bit when I had the same problem a few years ago.

[WildCards]

Amsoil is a very good, proper synthetic oil. I use it and have used it for years in all of my cars.

[rachel_kgr]

Thanks Guys, just wanted to check that what I was using would not damage my engine. However a thicker oil sounds better. I have used Magnatec before, it was fine...but still had the smoke.

Baring in mind that my car is a quick as ever (165,000 miles now) and the smoke is the only problem (actually I don't mind the smoke, its the slight increase in oil thats annoying), getting the seals done seems to be the solution.

Can anyone recommend someone in the London and SE who could do this job? What would be the cost? Might want them to confirm also that this is the problem.

Thanks as always

Rachel

[Simes205]

My mechanic is based in Thornton Heath nr. Croydon, very small independant. Owned an Mi16 back in the day....he was always surprised when I turned up year after a year with mine!

They can do his job without removing the head - saves hours in labour costs.

pm me for details

[Sheppard000]

WildCards said:

Amsoil is a very good, proper synthetic oil. I use it and have used it for years in all of my cars.

I agree with the above quote