Thread: Broken down, dumped the ATF

Originally Posted by bsperka

Was there a clicking sound when you tried to start. If so, the solenoid contacts need replacing. Common issue; except for undoing the rear bolt on the starter easy to fix. 15 minute job once the starter is out.

No. The dashlights all went through their sequence and the motor span like a banshee but no fire. It actually sounded like there was no compression the motor span so fast on the starter. The Captain thought it might have been the Park sensor as it started after she shifted it but the next time that had no effect.

Are you sure the engine span and not just the starter motor?

Originally Posted by Tinggu

Just an update on the "failure to proceed" at Forster. Local trans shop did the job for $370 including flush and service - replaced the filter I had just put on and we completed our journey with no further mishap. They reckoned no damage and it seems to be so. After pulling the van 5,300 km the engine oil is dark honey coloured which I am amazed at. First diesel I've had that does not run on black oil. The only odd behaviour is that she has failed to start on a couple of occasions but then mysteriously came good for no apparent reason. The second time I just waited and did nothing.

Since getting home I've been repairing every other mechanical thing that I own that have all decided to break down and have not yet had a play with my shiny new Nanocom. Is there a standard "start here" procedure to have a look around the system?
Thanks,
Pete

Be careful with this thinking. While you might have a perfectly clean TD5, there is also a chance you have fully synthetic oil in the motor. Full synthetic oil doesn't tend to trap the 'dirt / carbon' in the oil.

This is why semi synthetic oil or mineral oil turns black. It actually means the oil is doing its job.

At the next oil change, put good quality semi synthetic oil in the engine and see if your oil stays so clean. If it does that's great news, but if not that may explain the oil colour.

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Be careful with this thinking. While you might have a perfectly clean TD5, there is also a chance you have fully synthetic oil in the motor. Full synthetic oil doesn't tend to trap the 'dirt / carbon' in the oil.

This is why semi synthetic oil or mineral oil turns black. It actually means the oil is doing its job.

At the next oil change, put good quality semi synthetic oil in the engine and see if your oil stays so clean. If it does that's great news, but if not that may explain the oil colour.

Crikey Moses! It's getting harder and harder to get it right. Yes, it's fully synthetic and yes, I've just got another 8 litres for a change. Perhaps I can exchange for semi-synthetic. Do I have the receipt? Probably not. Never heard that about fully synthetic oils before......sigh.......

If the carbon is there, but not picked up in the oil, where is it?

Originally Posted by D2lee

Are you sure the engine span and not just the starter motor?

Been driving for 40 years and haven't made that mistake yet. Always a first time!

Absolute Rubbish. Have a read of the oils FAQ and PM Rick130 if you're still not convinced.

"Be careful with this thinking. While you might have a perfectly clean TD5, there is also a chance you have fully synthetic oil in the motor. Full synthetic oil doesn't tend to trap the 'dirt / carbon' in the oil."

Re black oil.
1. I have a 1982 diesel hilux that runs mineral oils and the oil isn't black. (Original engine with 200k according to odo). I flushed the engine with flushing oil concentrate some 3 years ago. The carbon and sludge in the engine is gone.
2. Synthetic oils don't break down as readily as mineral oils.
3. Any engine oil (synthetic or mineral) holds impurities in suspension.
Been running synthetic oils since 1985 (Mobil 1) and know of others who have used them since 1979 (Castrol R)- first time I've heard that they don't hold impurities in suspension. Where do they go? Do they sink or float?

stay with your full synthetic , the reason your oil stays so clean is because of the filters. The primary filter does its job down to 15 microns while the rotary removes particulates down to around 3 microns