Servicing Questions??
Discussion
My car is just about due its 24000 mile service and I have a few questions.
1) What oil are you all running with and why and how much should you over fill the oil.
2) Should I change the gearbox oil? I remember that it was discussed up at LSV but I cant remember if the consensus was to change or not (I have looked through my service history and there is no record of it being changed).
1) What oil are you all running with and why and how much should you over fill the oil.
2) Should I change the gearbox oil? I remember that it was discussed up at LSV but I cant remember if the consensus was to change or not (I have looked through my service history and there is no record of it being changed).
On my car I have been using SAE 5W30 RedLine Racing Oil (link on the club site) and have found it to be excellent. I still change it at every 6000 miles but it looks the same coming out as the new stuff going in!!! I also have very very low usage over 6000 miles.
The reason I use 5W30 is because the car spends quite a few weeks a year up the Alps so cold start protection is very important!!! but in the UK you could use 10w30.
I have not overfilled the car since I got it and have had no surge problems on the track. But a few months after I got the car a new dipstick was sent to me because Holden/HSV said the UK roads meant more corner forces so the new stick allowed another ltr of oil to fill.
As for gearbox I was under the impression it was fill for life, but after talking to Mark at LSV it sounds like it is worth changing on a regular basis. Again I use RedLine oil (MTL) which combined with the Ripshifter makes for a very good gearchange.
When filling the box drain all the old fluid (it is automatic transmition fluid!!!!-Red) then refill as normal, about 4ltrs. then replace the fill nut and then take out the reversing switch and add another half ltr. (no more) and replace switch.
This is an approved method outlined by Holden!!!!
Anyway that's my car I am sure other people have tried other Oils etc..............
PS. You must change the diff oil too and if you use a high impact fluid remember to get friction modifier added as well (lots of strange noises if you don't add!!!)
>> Edited by uk hsv on Thursday 15th July 22:13
The reason I use 5W30 is because the car spends quite a few weeks a year up the Alps so cold start protection is very important!!! but in the UK you could use 10w30.
I have not overfilled the car since I got it and have had no surge problems on the track. But a few months after I got the car a new dipstick was sent to me because Holden/HSV said the UK roads meant more corner forces so the new stick allowed another ltr of oil to fill.
As for gearbox I was under the impression it was fill for life, but after talking to Mark at LSV it sounds like it is worth changing on a regular basis. Again I use RedLine oil (MTL) which combined with the Ripshifter makes for a very good gearchange.
When filling the box drain all the old fluid (it is automatic transmition fluid!!!!-Red) then refill as normal, about 4ltrs. then replace the fill nut and then take out the reversing switch and add another half ltr. (no more) and replace switch.
This is an approved method outlined by Holden!!!!
Anyway that's my car I am sure other people have tried other Oils etc..............
PS. You must change the diff oil too and if you use a high impact fluid remember to get friction modifier added as well (lots of strange noises if you don't add!!!)
>> Edited by uk hsv on Thursday 15th July 22:13
Duncan
I change the engine oil every 6k using 5w40 fully synthetic. Becuase the oil is being changed so often I think any fully synth oil will be ok, but I'm no expert - comments anyone.
I don't overfill the engine, but I keep an eye on levels as it does drop a good 1/2 of dip stick measure over the 6k. Anyone else notice oil use?
As Paul said, gear box and diff every 12k as recommnened by Mark. I use Dexron 3 (I think) full synth transmission fluid, and overfil this from the reversing light sw point
I change the engine oil every 6k using 5w40 fully synthetic. Becuase the oil is being changed so often I think any fully synth oil will be ok, but I'm no expert - comments anyone.
I don't overfill the engine, but I keep an eye on levels as it does drop a good 1/2 of dip stick measure over the 6k. Anyone else notice oil use?
As Paul said, gear box and diff every 12k as recommnened by Mark. I use Dexron 3 (I think) full synth transmission fluid, and overfil this from the reversing light sw point
The Gen111 engines are apparently well known for using a bit of oil, especially if they have been run in too carefully. On Mark at Linden's advice, I changed the oil at 1000 miles from new and didn't run the car in at all. The only time I have had to add any oil was after a day out at Donington Park, but compared to a day's insurance, the overnight stay, a nearside front tyre, a set of brake pads, three tanks of fuel and best of all, a rebuilt automatic gearbox a few weeks later, a litre of synthetic wasn't too much of a concern!
FWIW,
I've been using Castrol Magnatec 10W40 since the 1500km initial oil change with no problems. (It's changed every 3000miles).
Don't believe there's anything to gain by overfilling engine oil level and a fair bit to lose (aerated oil in the lifters, for one example).
T56 should take exactly 4 litres (Castrol Transmax fully synthetic highly recommended by Mal Wood).
[www.malwoodauto.com.au/]
........the Oz Txmsn specialists. Changing oil bi-annually is sufficient according to them.
(Castrol LSX90 for LSD's).
Note: Transmax also better than Dexron III in PAS system as Dex III not "fully synthetic".
--- Sid447 ---
>> Edited by sid447 on Monday 19th July 19:56
I've been using Castrol Magnatec 10W40 since the 1500km initial oil change with no problems. (It's changed every 3000miles).
Don't believe there's anything to gain by overfilling engine oil level and a fair bit to lose (aerated oil in the lifters, for one example).
T56 should take exactly 4 litres (Castrol Transmax fully synthetic highly recommended by Mal Wood).
[www.malwoodauto.com.au/]
........the Oz Txmsn specialists. Changing oil bi-annually is sufficient according to them.
(Castrol LSX90 for LSD's).
Note: Transmax also better than Dexron III in PAS system as Dex III not "fully synthetic".
--- Sid447 ---
>> Edited by sid447 on Monday 19th July 19:56
Thanks all for the advice the car is booked in for next week and all the oils have arrived. Just for fun I have ordered up Water Wetter from Red Line, it reports that it can reduce engine temprature by 15 degees centigrade. It is an addative that reduces serface tension of the water. I have not got any overheating problems but it thought running the engine cooler has got to be a good thing. I will let you know how I get on wit it.
[quote]Still use Mobile 1. Is there reason for a switch to other oils?.[/quote]
You might have fun asking BMW F1 or Larry Perkins (Castrol Commodore Racing Team) ..!
www.castrol.com.au/index_flash.html?motorsport/profiles_team1_larry.jsp~center
Different strokes for different folks at the end of the day.
--- Sid447 ---
>> Edited by sid447 on Tuesday 3rd August 07:25
>> Edited by sid447 on Tuesday 3rd August 07:27
You might have fun asking BMW F1 or Larry Perkins (Castrol Commodore Racing Team) ..!
www.castrol.com.au/index_flash.html?motorsport/profiles_team1_larry.jsp~center
Different strokes for different folks at the end of the day.
--- Sid447 ---
>> Edited by sid447 on Tuesday 3rd August 07:25
>> Edited by sid447 on Tuesday 3rd August 07:27
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff