Synthetic..??

Hi all, am hoping to change out the engine oil this weekend coming. Can I use, or has anyone used fully sythetic oil in their Discovery?

Mines a 200 TDi, 161000 miles ...

Also what about diffs transfer/gear box has anyone used any synthetics here..?? (I have added Molyslip to these areas and the engine with positive results..)

Thx

MurK

generally not a good idea to change the type of oil in a high mileage diesel engine.
the reason is, cause it can react with the existing mineral oil deposits and loosen them. with possible catastropic results.
there is at least one case of a guy doing this on a perfectly good engine, and it was wrecked within 2000 miles.
best advice is to stay with the usual stuff.

........although land rovers own top spec oil is fully synthetic, and my ole girl seems to like.

thats ok if the engine has always had it. then stick to it.
it just isnt good policy to change from one type to another.

i agree with ormus, if you use regular oil leave it as is and stick to regular oil. synthetic is ok if the engine has had it from new

How do I know what has been used in the past as I am needing to do my first service?

check with the last owner?

it was a little front garden trade guys with only paperwork, paperwork only says 'oil' could be cooking oil for all I know or none at all, that is the reason why I prefer to do as much as I can myself. Can't get riped off with labour costs and non existant replacement parts.

service book? contact the garage. they can tell you what they put in.

smart thinking there!

i have my moments.

Isn't a fully synthetic oil more likely to run into the sump when you stop, therby creating excessive wear on startup?

Sheddy said:

Isn't a fully synthetic oil more likely to run into the sump when you stop, therby creating excessive wear on startup?

Click to expand...

In theory should be less likely to 'run off' hot components than mineral oil due to the make up of the synthetic oil, although being generally 'thinner' at cold temperatures will be ready and waiting to be pumped from sump more easily at start-up.

Change mine to fully synthetic unaware of previous owners oil at 100,000 miles, but change it every 2000 miles or so, but then I tow 3 tonnes very regularly and i'm fussy.