Switching to Semi-Synthetic oil

rory_perrett · Post by **rory_perrett** » 01 Apr 2007, 22:41

Looking for your opinions on whether switching to using semi-synthetic oil in my Xantia 2.1td is NOT a good idea. It is just past 200k miles and has been run on "conventional" oil from at least 114k (when I got it).

Regards

Rory

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 01 Apr 2007, 22:59

No problem at all.

You MAY experience a bit more engine ticking in general (not diesel clatter) if you overdo the choise of viscosity. But you'll no doubt get faster coldstart lubing.
The PSA XU engines have a tendency to burn out too thin viscosity oils when worn. Thus it is imperative to keep an eye on the dispstick to catch any possible higher oil consumption timely.

steelcityuk · Post by **steelcityuk** » 02 Apr 2007, 10:40

This is good place for info -

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Steve.

Post by **CitroJim** » 02 Apr 2007, 11:51

One funny thing it can apparantly do is "fool" your oil level sensor. Since I put semi-synthetic in my Activa, the oil level sensor is on a hair-trigger. It never was previously.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 02 Apr 2007, 12:09

I have run all my 2.1 td's on Trago mills best, about £6.00 a can now, but with the appropriate spec. I change it every 5k and my last XM had covered 292k when I sold it and was still going strong.

rory_perrett · Post by **rory_perrett** » 02 Apr 2007, 13:12

Thanks for the replies chaps. That has put my mind at rest and will go to semi synthetic next oil change. Just in case you wanted to know the why? Our "new" Xsara specifies semi synthetic and I don't want to have to have 2 barrels of the stuff around so the Xantia is going to get it as well.

Regards

Rory

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 02 Apr 2007, 14:32

Thanks to Steve for the link to a brilliant all-about-oils website

Quoted from this website about viscosity :

Now I'm all confused. Can you simplify all that for me?
Sure. Here's a three-line table to give you an idea where typical engine oils are used:

Oil type Typically used in....
5W-30 Cooler climates, like Sweden or Canada
10W-40 Temperate climates, like England
15W-50 Hot climates, like Italy, Spain, Egypt

There is also a very nice explanation of the experiences I've had personally : WHY - pouring in the finest dear synt (5w40) oil in my old '89BX16RScarb - resulted in a low oil warning within 2 weeks