Should you always do an oil change...
Discussion
...after cylinder head removal? Most people I speak to seem to think so, but the car isn't worth much and £30 for an oil change is probably 180 miles of petrol for this snotter. The oil was changed 2,000 miles before the gasket went 
People cite ingress of coolant and gasket dirt into the sump as an explanation, and also that since the engine has overheated the oil will have gotten too hot.
I'm hoping the answer is no, don't bother- I did the job myself and I'm unconvinced by the claims that the oil is fit only for the waste tank.
ETA: the gasket blew due to a thermostat failure and the car overheated once and was not continually used in this condition. Very little, if any, coolant was lost.
People cite ingress of coolant and gasket dirt into the sump as an explanation, and also that since the engine has overheated the oil will have gotten too hot.
I'm hoping the answer is no, don't bother- I did the job myself and I'm unconvinced by the claims that the oil is fit only for the waste tank.
ETA: the gasket blew due to a thermostat failure and the car overheated once and was not continually used in this condition. Very little, if any, coolant was lost.
Edited by Classic Grad 98 on Thursday 5th January 14:35
I always would, yeah. As soon as the engine has been opened any number of contaminants, dust, crud, nasty dried on bits could be in the oil. That's neglecting the fact that if the head gasket has gone it is more than likely contaminated in the first place.
If it's a turbo than 100% yes, if it's anything else then just yes, you should IMO.
If it's a turbo than 100% yes, if it's anything else then just yes, you should IMO.
thiscocks said:
surley if you have done a whole head change then an oil change isnt much bother?
The car belongs to an old friend who I have known for most of my life, so I did the work at no cost and he just paid parts. Came to £110. He is not well off so I'm having a hard time convincing him that a £30 oil change is worthwhile, after all I replaced the oil 10 weeks before the gasket went!I had a feeling this would be the case. If it was my own car and my own money I'd do it for sure.
Also I've just remembered that my local 'Asda' had four litres of Castrol GTX at £10 a couple of weeks ago... worth a re-visit I reckon...
Special K said:
What engine is it on OP ? Also if it went 2k miles after being done I would say you didn't rectify the cause of it going in the first place or something else is a miss with it. Should last a lot longer than that 
1993 1043cc Polo. To clarify- the gasket hasn't failed twice, I was just saying I had done an oil change 2K miles previously...Classic Grad 98 said:
Special K said:
What engine is it on OP ? Also if it went 2k miles after being done I would say you didn't rectify the cause of it going in the first place or something else is a miss with it. Should last a lot longer than that
1993 1043cc Polo. To clarify- the gasket hasn't failed twice, I was just saying I had done an oil change 2K miles previously...You should really change the oil but you may get away with it depending on a few things. How did the gasket fail ?
king sDepending on how the gasket failed, I know you say it overheated but where on the gasket did it blow ? You may get away with it mixing water into the oil. Ideally you should change it but if it hasn't done this and your mate isn't going to run the car long then you could skimp on it. Not recommended but I have seen it done a lot of times by dodgy garages who have gotten away with it.
Dracoro said:
Let your mate know the cost of the oil/filter and the clearly outline the potential issues if he does not replace them.
Then let him make the decision whether or not to pay the extra £30 (or whatever it costs).
It's your mate's risk to take, not yours.
+1. Although make sure it won't cost a bit less from Asda first, as mentioned above.Then let him make the decision whether or not to pay the extra £30 (or whatever it costs).
It's your mate's risk to take, not yours.
Patrick Bateman said:
4 litres for £10?
What we talking about here exactly? Castrol Edge is £35 for 4 litres in Asda, then there's Magnatec cheaper still.
You sure it wasn't 1 litre for £10?
I saw some 4 litre Castrol for £10 last night. Can't remember what grade it was though. What we talking about here exactly? Castrol Edge is £35 for 4 litres in Asda, then there's Magnatec cheaper still.
You sure it wasn't 1 litre for £10?
As above, let him make the decision, not really your problem.
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