oil change

[colin mee]

Thinking of doing a oil change. Any idea how much oil a 350i has in it.and what is the best oil to use

[ElvisWedgely]

On my 400SE which I believe is the same as a 350i for oil changes.

Oil............Valvoline VR1 20w50
Oil filter.....OC 261
Capacity.......5 litres but have an axtra litre handy to top,up as sometimes a little more is needed depending on how much oil has drained out. Angle of car etc.

PS. Drain plug is quite large so have an adjustable spanner ready incase your sockets don't stretch that far.

Tony. TCB.

Edited by ElvisWedgely on Sunday 8th November 20:55

[colin mee]

Thanks tony

[GV]

Make sure you don't hang about between draining and filling to avoid the need to re-prime the oil pump....

[mrzigazaga]

I have used these people for the oil..I used there classic oil..I bought 2 x 5ltr as i think we needed just over 7ltrs with no spillage..

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

I bought this...
http://www.classic-oils.net/Classic-Oils-Heritage-...

But they also sell VR1 and are pretty competitive.


You can also get the proper filter...
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

[ElvisWedgely]

mrzigazaga said:

..I bought 2 x 5ltr as i think we needed just over 7ltrs

I changed the oil just a couple of months ago for the second time in three months and on both occasions it took just over 5 litres. No where near seven. Unless the 350 is differrnt which I doubt.If you overfill, it can cause damage. Some people don't even fill to the maximum mark on the dipstick to be safe, though I do. Most fill to the half way mark betwee max and min on dipstick.

Tony. TCB.

[Number 7]

My 400 takes about 6.5 litres. A 350 wont take that much, because the 400 has an oil cooler (and obviously the associated stat and pipework) hold some oil.

[Convert]

Had mine nearly ten years.

Always use VR1 20/50


Takes about 7 litres (using a PH2821a filter).

I always do the following.

Get it hot, fill new filter.

Drop oil, refit sump plug,refill to max.

Spin old filter off, and new one on.

Remove king lead and spin her over till oil light goes out.

Reconnect king lead, fire her up and get her warm. Check for any leaks.

Let her cool back down and top her up.

[mrzigazaga]

It was probably nearer to 6 thinking about it, I checked the container earlier and it looked like there was only around 3 litre left..I then remembered that i filled a litre bottle up to keep in the boot for top ups...Its definitely not overfilled.

[Number 7]

Just to add to what Convert has described, it also worth disabling the fuelling when building up the pressure like this - pulling the pump relay or fuse will do it.

[bradderztvr]

If your putting more than 5 and a bit litres of oil in a 350, you probably forgot to put the sump plug back in. Lol 😉

[stevoj]

Valvoline VR1 in mine also.

[adam quantrill]

5l gets me to to the bottom mark on the dipstick, then another litre almost to the MAX mark.

Currently I'm on Comma Classic 20W/50 - plenty of Zinc.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Rock Oil, do a good 20w50 mineral oil also, designed for early race bikes, but works well in the Rv8's

[matt-man]

I use Valvoline VR1 too...changed a few years back and seem to use lee oil now.

Also, use a Magnetic sump plug as you get all sorts of little filings in the oil!

[mrzigazaga]

Just thought id say that yearly oil changes are recommend for the longevity of our engines...The zinc content will deplete if the car is used a fair amount throughout the year and will cause wear to your wearables...

[matt-man]

Yup, i change mine usually at least once a season...i never do more than about 2K on a change...did about 1300 this year but thats down to me not getting to drive it enough