to add to that I have just tried to check the level on mine, it has been sat on a flat carpark surface for about 2 hours, yet one side of the silly little black plastic thingy on the end of the dipstick, shows the level being just under half whilst the other side looks like its at maximum? Which is correct Are MG-R going to produce dipsticks we can actually read

 

Oil consumption and level readings

Most car manufacturers stipulate that 1000 miles per litre of oil used is perfectly acceptable.
All engines in their early life will consume some oil, this will usually decrease after some mileage has been covered. In the case if the 2 litre MDi Diesel Engine, fitted to the Maestro and Montego, these would not settle down until about 10,000 miles had ben covered. I remember one customer in particular who demanded us to strip down his MDi engine - I assured him that by 10,000 miles or so, oil consumption would be negligable. And it was. Proved my point.
The dipstick readings are a little ambiguous on the KV6 engine - I will take a reading from an identical model tommorrow and report back on my findings:eyes

 

Re: Oil consumption and level readings

Dr Dave wrote:
The dipstick readings are a little ambiguous on the KV6 engine - I will take a reading from an identical model tommorrow and report back on my findings:eyes

Thanks Dave, that would be useful for me too if you could post your findings here...

 

OK, After further testing today. I think the key might be to let the car stand for a couple of hours then remove the dipstick and check the level without wiping it. It would appear that once you wipe it or push it back in and pull it out again the level on the stick gets all messed up and smeared making it impossible to get an accurate reading. What it really needs is a completely metal stick without the silly plastic bit.

 

Oil Level

I was going to mention the 'Leave it for a while' as goes for the GM DTi engine - many have been overfilled due to drivers failing to follow the guidelines.

The dipstick on the KV6 engine is not the best designed dipstick out there, but checking the level with a cold engine seems a little more accurate. Perhaps chopping off the plastic 'knob' would be an option?:red:

 

Oil Specification

Also, be sure to use the approved engine oil in the KV6 engines in the MG Z Saloons. Only use Havoline Formula 3 X1 Extra 10W/40 engine oil - this is the spec and brand we are told to use on these engines.

Use of other lubricants would invalidate the warranty - but proving the wrong oil had been used may not be easy....

 

I am concerned about your last comment as I have been advised by my dealer that they are using Castrol GTX magnatex, should I take it back and ask them to change it for the proper stuff?

 

Re: Re: OIL

Climber wrote:
I am concerned about your last comment as I have been advised by my dealer that they are using Castrol GTX magnatex, should I take it back and ask them to change it for the proper stuff?

Yep, they put Castrol in mine too... A fully synthetic...

 

ZT/ZS KV6 Engine oil

Aslong as the oil used meets or exceeds the specification laid down by MGR, all should be OK. Castrol Magnatec, if I remember correctly, is only semi-synthetic.

The standards are as follows: API SJ/SF, ACEA A3-98;B3-98, VW500.00/505/00, Rover RES.22.0L.G4/RES.22.0L.PD2/RES.22.0L.D5, MIL-L-2104C/MIL-L-46152B, Ford M2C-902, M2C-903, GM-6049, Mercedes Benz 2277.5

 

Dave
Excuse my ignorance on this one, but does this mean that the recommended oil is fully synthetic? What happesn when you mix a semi synthetic 10/40 with a fully synthetic?

 

Oil Specification

You can safely mix semi-synthetic with fully synthetic engine oils but it is obviously better to use one or the other for initial fill and subsequent top ups.

The Havoline Forumla 3 X1 appears to be a semi-synthetic engine oil.

More information on this oil can be found at http://www.caltex.co.za/products/havoline_formula3.html

By the way, all dealers have been issued with a chart detailing the correct spec of engine oil to use in all models.

I will endeavour to post the chart here when I have more time..:red:

[Edited by Dr Dave on 29-12-2001 at 10:40 AM GMT]

 

Hi I have a 214 Si 97 model, could you please suggest what oil is recommended for my engine. My car had been serviced about 2000 miles from now (I have just bought it). Do you recomend that I should flush the oil out and fill in clean or just top it up? Please forgive me if I sound stupid but does the climatic condition (winters/summers) affects the choice of oil?

Thank you

 

A decent quality 10w40 semi-synthetic for the 214 K series.

A drain and refill with new oil every 6 months is more than sufficient.

No, aircon does not effect the type of engine oil you use. Just make sure the aircon is used for an hour or so each week (doesn't need to be pumping out cold air) so the seals don't dry out.

 

If your after a suggested oil then try Silkolene / Fuchs XTR 10w-40 as its a really high quality oil, higher than Magnatec yet the price tag is slightly cheaper.

I hope you found this thread with the search function as its 29th Dec 01

 

If your after a suggested oil then try Silkolene / Fuchs XTR 10w-40 as its a really high quality oil, higher than Magnatec yet the price tag is slightly cheaper.

I hope you found this thread with the search function as its 29th Dec 01

I would agree with that, Silkolene has always been a good oil and there aren't many out there that are better quality.

Cheers
Simon