Which Engine Oil is best for me?

robbiecaratiger

Apologies if I'm asking a thick question. I'm a numpty when it comes to motors etc..

I drive a 2 litre 2003 Vauxhall Zafia Elegance DTI. For 9 months of the year, it starts like a dream - first time every time. During the winter it never starts first time. It's always 3rd/4th time -but it's never let me down (fingers crossed).

It flew thru' its last MOT, but I was wondering whether there was anything I could do to assist it starting on a winters morning (or do I just have to accept that this is the way it is?).

I was wondering what the best type of oil for my diesel car is, and whether this may assist it starting on the cold, damp winter mornings?

All advice greatly received

Bob

Lum

Whatever oil the manual states will be fine.

As for your starting problem. Do you do the proper diesel startup procedure, namely: turn the car on but do not start it, wait for the glow plug light on the dash to go out, then actually start the car.

moonrakerz

Lum wrote: »

the proper diesel startup procedure, namely: turn the car on but do not start it, wait for the glow plug light on the dash to go out, then actually start the car.

The overwhelming majority of people don't even know that they have to do this - let alone actually do it !

robbiecaratiger

Lum wrote: »

Whatever oil the manual states will be fine.

As for your starting problem. Do you do the proper diesel startup procedure, namely: turn the car on but do not start it, wait for the glow plug light on the dash to go out, then actually start the car.

Thanks for the reply. Oh Yes, I've only ever driven diesel (for over 15 years now) and I always wait for the light on the dash to go out before attempting to start - even in the summer

benham3160

Lum wrote: »

Whatever oil the manual states will be fine.

As for your starting problem. Do you do the proper diesel startup procedure, namely: turn the car on but do not start it, wait for the glow plug light on the dash to go out, then actually start the car.

And this engine needs preheating because...........

Last engines with pre-heaters went out in the 1990s, only a few old IDI XUD's and things knocking around past that with pre-heaters with lamps.

Regards,
Andy

EDIT - This engine does have preheaters ('scuse me!) so it might be worth looking in to. However on modern DI engines it's very common for the pre-heat cycle to not start until very low ambient temperatures. Do you have a glow-plug light?

patman99

The glow plugs pre-heat the diesel before it enters the cylinders, thus enabling the engine to start with minimal cranking.

Most modern engines use a rapid-heating ceramic disc system sometimes known as 'fire-start' or 'flame-start'. If you don't preheat the fuel, then you will need to keep cranking the engine until sufficient heat builds-up to ignite the diesel.

OP, I would suggest having the pre-heat system looked at, as it may need replacing.

benham3160

patman99 wrote: »

The glow plugs pre-heat the diesel before it enters the cylinders, thus enabling the engine to start with minimal cranking.

Most modern engines use a rapid-heating ceramic disc system sometimes known as 'fire-start' or 'flame-start'. If you don't preheat the fuel, then you will need to keep cranking the engine until sufficient heat builds-up to ignite the diesel.

OP, I would suggest having the pre-heat system looked at, as it may need replacing.

Glowplugs preheat the DIESEL?

Years ago, when I learned about these things they used to preheat the cylinder walls to stop fuel condensing on the freezing cold cylinder, or pre-combustion chamber walls. Glow-plugs are not designed to preheat fuel.

The flame start systems use diesel to create a flame, but not to heat the fuel itself per-se.

You don't need to explain how a diesel engine works to me pal, I'm quite well versed in the matter.

Regards,
Andy

mikey72

If you have a 2003 vauxhall that is a bit slow starting when cold, but still starts, I would leave well alone.
They are notorious for shearing the glow plugs in the head, which is a head off to repair.
The control unit fails occasionally, but if it does the glow plug light usually stays off, or goes out quickly.

harveybobbles

Sounds like a duff glow plug or a leak off pipe.

forgotmyname

benham3160 wrote: »

Glowplugs preheat the DIESEL?

Glow-plugs are not designed to preheat fuel.

Regards,
Andy

Rover 825 Diesel had a heated fuel filter.