High mileage oils

[Decky_Q]

Current 2.2 tdi has rolled over 150k now and is a bit noisy at low idle (fine at 800rpm+). I've changed the tensioner and checked all over for anything loose and not had any luck. It bugs me.

Its specced with 0w30 and I'm thinking to use either 10w40, high mileage 0w30, or add Lucas stabiliser at the next change.

Has anyone tried any of these? Any comments or thoughts appreciated.

[GeniusOfLove]

When was it changed? I had a Volvo D5 that had 16.5k intervals or something but around 10k miles on the oil it sounded quite a lot rougher with more top end noise.

Putting thicker oil in an older engine is an old trick, is it burning/weeping much?

[Decky_Q]

Was changed less than 6k ago, but due again because of dpf regeneration diluting the oil. Maybe it'll go away when the oil is lower, more oily and less diesely.

[ChocolateFrog]

I doubt it will make any difference. You really need to to get to the source of the noise first anyway.

Worth noting that 0W at cold is still way, way more viscous than 40 weight at 100 degrees so using a thicker oil to quieten an engine down isn't going to work if the noise is there when you first start it up.

[GeniusOfLove]

Wouldn't surprise me at all if it did settle down.

[SlimJim16v]

Yes try a thicker oil. I don't see how an oil can be high mileage if it's the same grade.

Edited by SlimJim16v on Sunday 19th January 13:28

[7 5 7]

Try a bottle of some Lucas oil stabiliser on the next oil change.

150,000 isn't really high mileage compared to some engines I've seen, but the above does help I have found, but something else could be causing the noise.

[Decky_Q]

Thanks all, the high mileage oil says it has additives to keep older gaskets and seals in good condition. I assume this means semi dissolve them to make them swell, creating leaks when I have none.

I'll stick with 0w30 and put a can of stabilser in if it's still noisy after the change.

[TooLateForAName]

Decky_Q said:

Was changed less than 6k ago, but due again because of dpf regeneration diluting the oil. Maybe it'll go away when the oil is lower, more oily and less diesely.

Sort out whatever is causing regen to fail. It shouldnt be diluting your oil that much.

(mazda? their 2.2 diesel was notorious)

[Patrick Bateman]

I'd be wary of just chucking something like 10W-40 in a car that's supposed to get 0W-30 unless there's some sort of real know-how to back it up as opposed to 'meh, it's thicker so it has to help with no other negative consequences'.

[Decky_Q]

DPF has been permanently fixed, so shouldn't dilute the oil ever again.

It's the ford 2.2tdci engine in an evoque so possibly the same engine as the mazda.

The 10w40 was something discussed as a positive move on the owners forum, as the same engine in a transit uses 10w40, but it wouldnt be the most mechanically minded owners tbh.

[K87]

This is a topic that interests me, my new Audi petrol has a 0-20w spec oil, worries me.

Back to the op

I ran TD cars for 200,000, the only oil that cut down on noise including turbo whine was Mobil 1.

A friend of mine also used this oil and took his 5 litres of Mobil 1 in at every service to the garage.

The service manager confided that they thought it was a bit of a joke.

At 90,000 miles the head gasket went, the mechanics were amazed at zero wear in the bores and the cam lobes and valves looked like new. The service manager said 'we take it all back,.