Hi, just wanted to know what Engine Oil, Gearbox and Diff oil everybody uses ?

I am going to buy Silkolene 5w40 fully synthetic Engine oil, is this the right stuff ? Reason I am asking is because I only want to use good quality stuff ?

Don't know how to use the advanced search function so checked the Technical FAQ guide, it states the following:

Diff Oil
Diff should be 75W90 GL-5

Gearbox Oil
Transmission 5W/80 GL-4

What brand do most people use/recommend ?

The car has 12000 miles if thats important (i.e. not running in)

 

Shell Ultra 5w40 in my engine, damn good stuff & glad the previous owners dealer used it

(not changed any other oil yet)

Silkolene is also quality stuff

 

Engine = 5w40
Transmission = 75w90
Diff = 90PA


Motul race spec. all the way. Expensive but its `cuz she`s worth it!`

 

So should I go for Silkolene or Motul, as I really can't make my mind up

Looking forward to some replies

 

I dont think it matters really as they are both good.

Just get the viscosities right.

I know a lot of bikers who pull funny faces at the mention of Silkolene.

I'm biased though

 

Diff, 75w90 stuff. I use Castrol Syntrax

Gearbox, Honda MTF, designed for Honda gearboxes. Honda MTF III is fully synthetic too.

Engine, Castrol Edge/Mobil 1 or Shell.

Wouldn't touch Motul or Silkolene myself. Esters are crap for engine wear.

 

Yes all my engines have worn out using Motul

I know of people who have clocked up tesn of thousands of miles on the stuff and had no issues. I also know a few cars running circa 400 bhp long term on it and no issues. My engine mapper who is considered an Impreza guru, uses it. Its the oil of choice on 22b.com, with the majority of people running it.

All must be lucky I guess

Castrol etc are all fine too, im not disputing that, I just think you can get too caught up in it not having the right stamp on the tin.

At the end of the day, this isnt a race car. Just get hte viscosity right and chose one of the well known brands.

 

Please remember what I post isn't based on 'yeah it seems ok, my engines never wear'.

It is supported by real data on industry spec tests where competitor evalution takes place. And wear levels are measured in microns, this data shows that esters, whilst improving lubricity and additive solubility, have a negative impact on engine wear peformance. They also have a habit of hydrolysing with water and forming acids.

Im currently on a course with the Edge development SPA.

 

Over what sort of time frame are you talking about wear occuring, Si?

If you took 2 brand new S2000's and one was run all its lfe on an ester based oil, and one was run on non ester based, for 100k miles - the car run on ester based oil would show significant signs of wear? or is it a short space of time?

Can you explain how esters actually cause wear? Is this from the acid formation (obviously acid formation isn't good for white / yellow metals etc)

WRT hydrolising, how does the oil get into contact with water? IIRC engine oils aren't hydroscopic so it shouldnt be drawing any in from anywhere. In terms of acid formation, is that likely to occur durung a 9k interval? Quite interested in that one.

Ta.