15 year old 300 TDi still running OK?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ade
i do my 95 300tdi every 5thou, oil and filter fuel and air filter
I assume that you are saying that every 5,000 km, or every few months, you change oil and filters, and as such, the engine is still running well.
That is a testament to the importance of oil changes to engine life. Also, my view is that new filters are probably more important than new oil, at least in dirty dusty conditions.
I have seen comments on the EU boards to the effect that these extended oil change recommendations have very little to do with the particular vehicle as the trend seems to apply to all the manufacturers. The decreased service intervals are a reaction to more restrictive and expensive EU Oil Recycle Requirements plus the trend to "free servicing included" within the vehicle lease period.
For me, with my 4.4L petrol V8, it is oil and oil filter every 6,000 km or every six months. In practice, this means about four times a year for normal city pavement driving.
I think also what happens is because you are under the vehicle more often, the little things tend to get looked after and hence do not turn into big things.
1/2 litre maybe between oil changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rick130
[snip] re-read post # 9, you don't have to change the oil frequently for good engine life ;)
What is critical in dusty conditions is the air filter and its sealing.
Poor sealing or a poor air filter is obvious when oil testing, it shows quickly and savagely on contaminants and wear metals.
Install at least an OE quality filter element and make sure it's sealed correctly, a lot of aftermarket panel style filters often don't seal properly and never use something like a K&N or other cotton gauze style filters or oiled foam.
They are really poor at ultimate filtration, letting far too much dust through in the size ranges that do the most damage.
Where more frequent oil changes work in an engines favour is in cases of fuel dilution, which are becoming much more common with high pressure injection and short trips, in both DI petrol as well as diesel.
It really gives the oil a caning, most all oils don't cope, so if an owner isn't aware it's happening (most aren't) more frequent oil changes save massive long term wear.
I appreciated your post. Yes, I can say that at least right now, at 130,000 km, I have yet to add any oil between oil changes. The oil level does drop maybe a 1/2 litre in the 6,000 km between oil changes but nothing that gets me excited. At the same time, I can say that my previous Chev 5.7 litre (350 cu in), V8's rarely used any oil prior to say 250,000 km. I recognize however the Jag engine is so much more complicated, smaller, revs higher, and works harder than the 350 so that is why I am always watching.
Your comments re the K&N style filter and oil soaked foam got my interest. I recall my lawn mower air filter is oil soaked foam; maybe that is a hint.
I can believe that the engine intake air filter is what matters most. A failed filter can introduce fresh abrasives right into the cylinders on a virtually daily basis. I have often thought that of all the bush mods, the raised air intake is probably the best dollar value of them all. I do not know from which direction the LR factory one sucks air, but I have always thought that having the air scoop face to the rear made the most sense in desert driving conditions. Somehow ram air into a 4x4 does not seem like a priority.
I had never thought much about engine oil dilution, however with these direct injection type fuel systems being more common, yes, it would make sense that fuel, petrol or diesel, would more commonly make it if not past the rings, then the valves, and hence into the oil system.
My dealer recently showed me a cylinder head he was working on from someones LR. While I was impressed, I must say I would not look forward to seeing the parts from my engine that close up.
