oil viscocity

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doingitsideways
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oil viscocity

Post by doingitsideways » Sat Dec 28, 2013 1:18 pm

So, tedious subject I know.

Just wandering what oil people run in their 400s?

My 460 turbo, on 80k miles, runs silky smooth from cold with excellent oil pressure.

But when it's hot it goes quite tappety with absolutely bobbins oil pressure, dropping into the red when at low idle like when in gear (auto) and stationary.

I realise that the built in guage is a cr@p piece of kit, much like the boost guage it's not calibrated, but it is showing an indication.

Can't remember for sure, but I think I'm currently running 10w 40 synthetic, but it is possibly 5w 30 if that's what I had on the shelf at the time.

I'm slightly dubious of running a thicker oil to keep the pressure when hot because of possible starvation to the turbo, but what do you guys think?

Cheers,

Steve :hopping:
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical fault!"
Hammers can't fix a 480!!!

JP
Started learning about 480
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:42 am

Re: oil viscocity

Post by JP » Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:03 pm

Hi Steve,

The original recommended oil grade (at least, here in Portugal) for the B18FT is 15w50..
Today we can say that is "normal" to use the 10W40 grade but, with that 10w40 oil the b18ft tappets will become a bit lousy. (and the turbo oil comsuption will increase).

The proper viscosity to run the 480Turbo (at regular working temperature) is W50. It can be a 10W50, 5W50 or the "original" (depending upon country/market) 15W50.

Espada
Started learning about 480
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 6:43 pm

Re: oil viscocity

Post by Espada » Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:14 pm

2ltr Celebration running on Magnatech 10w40

When first purchased Volvo used Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 , the vehicle ran fine but despite the low mileage it did drink the stuff, I do not have this problem with the Magnatech.

It is reckoned that the 1.7 is not the smoothest of units but I must confess I don't think the 2ltr is that clever either. I know I am picky but as the revs passed through 2950 to 3000 there was a rough spot like an imbalance.

Don't get me wrong its not faulty just not the best of units so the solution - Slick 50, problem solved.

I have used this stuff previously, it has the advantage of quieting the unit and theoretically additional wear protection.

As far as oils go I understand what you are saying re the viscosity and oil starvation but running an oil that is too thin will be just as bad. .

Basically go for the best quality and known brands. A cheap oil might fall out of grade quicker and let your turbo cool before switching off

Regards

gsa60
Started learning about 480
Posts: 96
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 10:18 pm

Re: oil viscocity

Post by gsa60 » Sat Dec 28, 2013 7:32 pm

Been using 15W40 and sometimes 10W40. 10w40 is more liquid when cold but the same viscosity as 15w40 when hot. I keep in the 40 as it's the recomended viscosity.
I agree with espada: Always look for quality oil. And don't go for mineral oil.
I also do not think that the gauge is whell calibrated. However it too bugs me to see the needle just above red.

JP
Started learning about 480
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:42 am

Re: oil viscocity

Post by JP » Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:50 pm

Here in my country, volvo used the 15W50 on the b180ft. Is the W50 that matters and it can be synthetic or half synthetic. The viscosity of the W40 is low in the hot range but acceptable.
15W40 is mineral oil, and not reccomended for the turbo. Fully synthetic oil is also not reccomended because it can promote several oil leaks over time.
Don´t forget this engine (the turbo) was designed 26years ago :wink: .
Few years ago i drove a 460Turbo with 700.000km with the original engine, mantained with the 15w50.

Simply get a good quality oil and change it regularly.

gsa60
Started learning about 480
Posts: 96
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 10:18 pm

Re: oil viscocity

Post by gsa60 » Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:13 pm

Hi JP;
I'm not so sure that the SAE rating of the oil is totally related as to if the oil is synthetic, semi or mineral. For instance, if you look for instance at castrol GTX 15w-40 it says part synthetic the same for 10w-40. mobil10w-40 says also semi-synthetic whereas shell helix hx7 10w40 says synthetic. So I don't think it's that linear.
Didn't notice where you live. I'm also from Portugal (Porto) :wink: But what is strange is that in my proprietary's/user book there's a graph of oil thickness versus ambient temperature and there; the most recomended ones are 15W-40 and 10W-40. I think it's also recomended 5w-30 but only up to 20ºC~30ºC (ambient temp). Not realy sure about this last one though. Perhaps it's related to the production year. mine's from '91.
Cheers

JP
Started learning about 480
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:42 am

Re: oil viscocity

Post by JP » Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:17 pm

Hi Gsa60 (Olá! )

Later i´ll post a pic of my 480 engine compartment sticker (the one with recommended lubricants) and with the 15w50

The same happens with my 740 :wink:

Just reporting the information i have

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