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I would write to LR Cuctomer Care and question what oil is reccomended by them for the tropics. If Darwin LR are wrong tell LR what they are using.
Allianz can be bought through other LR dealers does not have to be your local or regular dealer. Ask the Alice dealer about it also i would suggest you get the service done there if you can.
Most of WA is at least as hot as Darwin (just not humid) and the dealer here uses 5W30. With synthetic oils they don't lose their viscosity when warm (like old mineral oils did) and I can't imagine that anything other than specification oil should be used for the engine.
You might also think of changing the transfer case oil while doing the transmission. At 60k, mine smelled of dead fish when I had it changed. This oil is at least as expensive as the transmission fluid, but at least it didn't need a double-flush. May also want to make sure front and rear diff oils are good.
Thanks for all the excellent replies. I have just got confirmation from Darwin LR that they use valvoline 15W40. I am yet to get an answer back from LR Australia on which oil they recommend. Darwin LR have been good to me, however, I might now look at the independant LR service guy that is working out at Palmerston. I don't want to have a second engine go caput just because of the wrong oil.
Alice Springs LR are good, I got the car serviced there once on our way up to Katherine but it is a 2500km round trip from Katherine which makes it a bit prohibitive just for a service. I might do a trip specially for the transmission flush and check out the big rock during the same trip.
I will keep everyone informed of the transmission service and replacement of the plastic pan with the steel pan.
Valvoline 5w/40 Synpower is the one that MR use here.
Castrol is recommended for the D4 2.7litre, but is hard to buy over here in anything other than retail packs, or 100 litre drums. Can be an expensive proposition buying oil.
The owners manual is VERY specific about the oil to use and it aint 15w40 :o
It will be interesting to hear what LR aust have to say on the matter...
Regards,
Tote
If they have put the wrong oil in your new engine I would be wanting another new one. ;)
FWIW Castrol recommend Edge Sport 0W-40 for that engine.
Believe it or not, but a 15W-40 will be running almost identical viscosity when cold to a 0W-40 at any temp Darwin is ever likely to see, but I doubt that a Valvoline 15W-40 diesel oil will have the right approvals for a TDV6 ;)
I think this discussion has happened before, I'll have a search....
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Ok, found this (and yes it's weird, I'm quoting myself... :rolleyes: )
In the UK Shell recommend Helix F 5W-30 for all models.
Shell Australia recommend Helix Ultra 5W-40 or Helix Plus 10W-40
Castrol UK recommend Edge Turbo Diesel 0W-30 or Magnatec 5W-30 for all models.
Castrol Australia recommend Edge Sport 5W-30 or Edge Sport 0W-40 for '05-'07 models and
Edge Sport 0W-40 for '07-'09 models.
Caltex Australia recommends Havoline Synthetic 5W-40 for '05-'07 and Havoline Synthetic C3 5W-30 for '07-'09.
Can't find out what Texaco UK recommend ATM.
Mobil Australia recommend Mobil 1 0W-40 or Mobil Super FE Special 5W-30 for '05-'06 and
Mobil Super FE Special 5W-30 for '07-'09 models.
The Super FE SPecial had me intrigued, here is the PDS Mobil Super FE Special 5W-30
It's formulated especially to meet Ford WSS-M2C913-A andM2C913-B specifications.
It looks like the TDV6 engine is designed around an xW-30 oil, but an xW-40 would be OK too.
I have little faith in workshops when it comes to lubricant selection, they really don't know that much whereas the factory spends untold thousands of hours testing in the greatest extremes imaginable.
I'd use either with confidence, the xW-30's will give slightly better fuel economy without any loss of protection.
Oil temperature should never really be an issue as long as coolant temps are OK. I'm guessing the TDV6 uses an oil/water heat exchanger like most diesels so the oil temp should be stable, regardless of ambient or load.
from here http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-zone...lix-ultra.html
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Steve, if you are happy with the service people you have been using, stay with them but consider supplying the oil of your choice, for them to refill it with ?
Thats what I think I will do soon. I can't fault Darwin LR in regard to helpfullness, they have done everything asked of them and more. Firstly I will speak with Darwin LR to find out why they don't use the recommended oil and then hopefully have them replace it, otherwise the only other option is to buy the oil and get them to do it. The car is still in warranty, albeit only for another 6 weeks, so there isn't much more I can do.
I still haven't heard back from LR Aust reference oil, I will ring them direct next week and see what they have to say.
I spoke with the new independant LR service guy that is setting up shop in Darwin today and they were very helpful, unfortunately they don't have the Discovery 3 servicing computer system that identifies and resolves any errors. He is looking at acquiring the computer by about late Mar.
Thankyou once again to everyone, your replies have been extremely helpful. :)