Best engine oil?

[Volker]

Hello to all.

For half a year I am driving my Fulvia S3 1,3S built 1975 and everything goes well.
The former owner used Castrol RS 10W60 sythetic oil.
I read that modern oils in older engines could cause troubles.
Can anybody recommend a special oil or is the one that was used good?

Thanks very much for your support.
Volker

[P. de R. Leclercq]

I have run my much-modified car on Agip 10W/60 without problems.

I have now changed to a synthetic 15W/50; it is the lower of the two numbers that is important, but the Fulvia handbook specified Esso Uniflo 10W/50, so a 10 base oil will be satisfactory.

In any case do not use the very thin modern oils, but remember that apart from these, any modern oil will be far superior to anything that was available at the time the Fulvia was manufactured.

Paul

[Huib Geurink]

The word synthetic is a name for the manufacturing process. In the early days of the synthetic process, it was used to manufacture very thin oils such as 5W40 and even 0W40. These were not really suited for the Fulvia engine as Paul says.

Nowadays various companies offer 10W60 synthetic specially for older cars. It is very expensive and I am not sure your Fulvia engine benefits from it.

There are basicly two strategies:
1. use a low cost standard 15W40 oil and change oil and filter often (every 3500 to 5000km depending on use and condition)
2. use an expensive high mileage oil and change less often

I have used the 10W60 for some years and changed every 10.000 to 12.000km. However, I have changed back to using 15W40 and change oil and filter every 3500 to 5000km

[Volker]

Thanks very much for your help.
I also telephoned with Millers Oils and
they recommended their Classic 20W/50
which is a standard oil.
The Information was given according to their own
specification list.
It seems to me, that this is a quiet thick oil.

Volker

[rousseau]

Hi everybody; speaking about motor oil, I would like to ask a question about the Fulvia 1300 S which is equipped with an oil cooler; what is the right way to empty this device when changing the engine oil ? It is not difficult to unscrew the bottom bolt and take the radiator above the engine; but is it necessary to unscrew the hoses coming from the filter ? Thank you for experience

[P. de R. Leclercq]

Well, speaking for myself I would never bother attempting to drain this in routine servicing. The amount contained in the cooler and pipes is not great and I change my oil about every 4000 miles.

Paul

[georges]

Hi Paul ; Thank you for paying attention; here in my region (le Bordelais) we like to empty the bottles of Saint Emilion untill the last drops...so your method will go well for me
By the way, could you make me sure about the right method for fillinf the gear box ? last week end, I decided to fill out the old oil so I first unscrewed the lower cap and after a short time, oil stopped to drop; then I unscrewed the cap located on the right side (seen from the driver seat)and I was surprised to see a flow of oil dropping from there; the total quantity was 2,5 litres. Then I closed the 2 caps and filled the box with 2,5 litres of oil through the upper cap : are there different levels inside the gear box ?
thank you; georges

[P. de R. Leclercq]

Cher Georges,

Sorry I have only justy seen your messsage.

You were correct to remove the two plugs; the differential section is partially divided from the gear cluster section by an internal "wall" hence the necessity for two plugs.

2.5 litres is correct for a four-speed gearbox; the five-speeds hold 2.75 litres.

Paul