Lancia Motor Club

What is everybody using for a Fulvia nowadays ?

Synthetic, semi-synthetic, 20W50 , 10W40 , Castrol, Penrite ??

We all have our favourites ....

I use branded such as Mobil fully synthetic 10/40. Expensive at oil change but I believe a good investment. Same in all Aurelias and our 993 Porsches. Chris

I've always used 10/40w semi synthetic on in my 2c with no problems.

Brian
8227 8)

Millers 10-60 triple ester fully sythetic - both my Fulvias lasts forever defraying the initial high cost.....

From opie with club discount....sometimes cheaper if they are running a spcial offer.

Currently Total Activa 15/40 for no other reason than it's easily available in my local supermarket at a reasonable price. In the UK I always used Castol Magnatech (?) 10/40.

I use semi -synthetic 10/40 from my local motor factors in all my cars - about £14 per 4 litres.    It is what the trade uses after all and is cheaper because of nil advertising costs.  Cheap enough to change fairly often in the older cars too (have converted the Lambdas to modern filter of course).

Like Stanley I'm a Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 user too.

The rationale is simply that I've read that on older engines it's better to use a good quality (mineral or part synthetic) oil changed regularly than a fancier (synthetic) oil that's left in for ages. Add to that those "intelligent molecules" in Magnatec soothing my engine at startup "when up to 75% of engine wear occurs" and I'm living the dream.

I'm sure I remember reading that older engines don't always like the newer synthetic oils as their lower viscosity means it seeps past seals never designed for them. This means unnecessary oil usage through burning or loss.

Since however an engine rebuild is going to be more expensive than oil whatever the type - and I certainly don't do the mega miles where losing a bit is such a big deal - it would be really interesting to hear if I should re-evaluate the above assumptions and switch to something else.

Thank you everyone, dare I ask for your thoughts on viscosity vs oil pressure ?

I certainly notice higher oil pressure on the Aprilia when I use 20w60 over 20w50 - both oils from the same manufacturer and both high quality.

Bearing in mind some of the other discussion on low oil pressure on Fulvias ......

I have always used a good 20/50  at the moment I am using comma 20/50 

I am slow to respond to this, but I have good faith in Fiat's semi-synthetic Selenia HPX, which is supposedly designed to be good for elderly and high-mileage engines - and it's relatively inexpensive. This link gives some details: http://www.maseratished.co.uk/SeleniaOil/FLCat.pdf

Colin

Colin what is "relatively inexpensive"?

Brian
8227 8)

A switch to Comma 20/50 has boosted oil pressure in my Beta.

Brian, I used to buy HPX from my local Fiat dealer when it was relatively cheap compared to other fully synthetic oils. A quick search suggests that HPX might still be available at about £25 for 5 litres. I don't know how competitive that is nowadays. See: https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Results&keywords=S4P5063

Colin 

Thanks Colin,
it's quite a bit more than I usually pay, but I used to use it in my Dedra's.

Brian
8227

The oils I have used are semi-synthetic changed every 3500 miles. Possibly I could leave them in a lot longer but there's nothing nicer than starting an engine full of fresh oil. I think I may have mentioned once before that my brother-in-law who did his apprenticeship with Rob Walker (and remembered brand new Fulvias in pastel metallics lined up outside, Rob Walker was a Lancia dealer) said to me not to waste money on fully synthetics in the Fulvia as they are more beneficial if used straight away in a fully rebuilt engine than in an old engine that has lived on all sorts. I too have read that engine tolerances these days are much tighter than in years gone by and older engines relied partly on thicker oils to prevent seeping past rings etc. I can't say whether any of this is right or wrong but it seems to make sense.

On maintaining oil pressure, it may be imagination, but since using the 15/40 it seems to keep a higher pressure longer into a run from cold than 10/40.

I thought we had been here before on this forum. I googled HPX and found all of this from 2008 - amazing!

Lancia Motor Club

Model Technical and Interest => Fulvia => Topic started by: ian on 09 April, 2008, 10:39:36 PM


Title: fulvia fluids
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2008, 10:39:36 PM
hi all!
s3 1.3 coupe needs a full service, any recommendations on engine and gear oils, air and oil filters etc. types, makes and suppliers?
any advice gratefully received :)

 

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: lancialulu on 09 April, 2008, 10:52:34 PM
I use duckhams classic 20/50 in 1.3 assuming it has done a few miles. Mobil 1 synthetic 75/90 for gear box, get filters from omicron.

Tim

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: stuwilson128 on 10 April, 2008, 08:40:56 PM
For the oil filter, I usually go to my local motor factors with the following list of filters.  They normally have at least one of them.

FRAM PH2803-2
MANN W940/25
FRAM PH3569
BOSCH P 4065

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: YKR 567J on 11 April, 2008, 05:53:56 PM
Yes, the oil filter is the same as used on an FX-4 taxi and several Japanese cars, I think.

John Simister

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: ian on 11 April, 2008, 08:47:56 PM
thanks for all the feed back, she,s done 70,000 plus been around the clock! not the original engine though!
do the air filters share with any other marque? and are they usually available from local motor factors as well?

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: ColinMarr on 13 April, 2008, 07:47:33 PM
For my Fulvia 1600 I use Selenia HPX oil, which Fiat recommends for high performance engines that have already done considerable mileage. It is rated 20/60 and is I believe called ‘semi-synthetic’, whatever that means. I buy it from my local Fiat agent and it costs about £20 plus for 5 litres. My engine has done about 80,000 miles and it consumes about 0.5 litres of oil in 700 miles, which is I think about what you expect from a 1600.

I change the oil filter every 3000 miles, with the oil change. The last oil filter I used was a FRAMM FT 4403. The packaging shows cross references with Toyota: 15601-96101, MANN: W 940/1 and Tecnocar: R 65. Under main applications it lists – Toyota Land Cruiser and Range Rover F.3.5 V8.

For the air filter, I tend to change this less frequently and simply clean it out and reuse it until it looks grotty. I would be interested to know if others do the same.

Colin 


Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: Peter W on 14 April, 2008, 08:12:10 PM
I also use HPX on both my Fulvia 1600 & my Beta VX.  It is a synthetic oil and although it was rated at 20W/60, the latest cans say 20W/50.  Have used it for 10 years with no problems.  I change my air filter after about 4000 miles as I find it gets a little oily from the crankcase breather which I suspect restricts its breathing properties.  Might just be my imagination though.

Peter


Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2008, 08:47:04 PM
yes, my brother-in-law used to compete in the fiat lubrificante challenge a few years back and used it in his uno...and i use  to pinch a bit for my 128. the crankcase breather on the 128 used to chuck a bit of oil back to the filter, but not on the fulvia, even though she  gets driven much harder ;)
but as for oil use in the 1300 fulvia ....it doesn't use any? is that unusual?

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: nistri on 18 April, 2008, 01:53:43 PM
Fulvia air filters: it seems that the Tecnocar production of these has stopped and I don't know how long currents stocks will last. Not so easy to get replacements, unfortunately. No foreseeable difficulties for oil filters.

If there is engine oil inside  the air filter box or on the air filter, piston rings are probably worn.
Cheers
Andrea

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: St Volumex on 29 April, 2008, 07:39:08 AM
We started using SAE 40 Super Monograde oil in the engine on the recommendation of a past Chairman of the SA club, and notice that older Fulvias smoke less when using it.  :D

For the gearbox we use Shell Spirax SAE 80W-90 - same as for the VX supercharger.

We still managed to buy a Technocar A-818 R filter last year, but maybe these are old stock?

In the meantime somebody down here has made a reusable (washable) filter in the same vein as that on the Flavia.  Cost w/out shipping is about £25.

Pic to follow.

Kindest regards,

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: ian on 17 May, 2008, 05:55:59 PM
Visited a couple of local motor factors today, I can get hold of oil filters, no problem.
1st one available, Fram part no.FRA PH8A, description Z877, £4.99
2nd one, WIX 7068, about £6-7
No air filters available at all. I have unfortunately thrown away the old one as it was swimming with brake fluid (see s3 master cylinder postings) can anyone take some O/D, I/D and height  measurements etc for me. or does any one have any other ideas?

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: fay66 on 18 May, 2008, 08:37:10 AM
Have a look on ebay, some for sale on there recently.
Item number  360053274339 on ebay Italy is for an air cleaner filter, set of plugs, condenser & points, current bid is £55.


Brian
8227 8)

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: ian on 16 July, 2008, 10:53:51 PM
In the end Omicron supplied it all for me, (apart from the fluids) at a reasonable cost I think  ;D

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: davidwheeler on 17 July, 2008, 01:05:13 PM
I use 10/40 synthetic from LSUK in my second series.  And in my Lambdas for that matter.  Works fine and does not cost the earth.

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: Scarpia on 17 July, 2008, 04:46:08 PM
Do you see evidence of increased oil leaks/seepage or get a mist of oil over the engine bay with the synthetic in the Lambda?


Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: Peter Gerrish on 23 July, 2008, 09:02:47 AM
I have been using Valvoline Racing 20W/50 in Fulvias (and Lambdas once fitted with modern oil filter cartridge) with good results. At one stage I raced my 1600 Sport on it with no problems. If your engine uses oil in large quantities, any cheap 20W /50 will do!
I agree with Colin Marr, air filters can be blown out with airline unless they start to look discoloured or oily. I still have  about 10 air filters in stock.
Plus as you can see ,I have at last joined you "moderns" on line. Cheers. Peter Gerrish.

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: fay66 on 23 July, 2008, 09:27:37 AM
Nice to have your expertise available Peter, Welcome

Brian
8227 8)

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: YKR 567J on 23 July, 2008, 10:05:24 PM
Yes, Valvoline Racing 20W/50 seems fine in my Fulvia, which uses very little of it. That could well be because Peter made such a fine job of building its engine... welcome to Lancia cyberspace, Peter!

John

PS Valvoline synthetic 75W/90 gear oil, compatible with GL3 (old), GL4 and GL5 (modern) specs works very nicely in the gearbox, making the shift lighter and smoother especially when cold.

Title: Re: fulvia fluids
Post by: Scarpia on 24 July, 2008, 04:11:15 PM
Most of us are approaching an age where being described as "moderns"  can be taken as a compliment....thanks Peter  ;)

Suddenly , life doesn't seem so bad after all...

and yes....just to add to the list, Mr Gerrish rebuilt our 1.3 engine also and its still going strong after 15 years.... A warm welcome Peter.

To close this one, a variety of oils are used - synthetic, mineral, semi-synthetic, thin, thick - all personal preference and no one has destroyed an engine due to a pre-defined preference so ........

Thanks for everyone's input

Mobil 1 10-60.
Not to thick and sticky when cold and then keeps it viscosity even when really hot. Hence 10-60.
If lancia had oils like that back in the 60s70s, that's what they would specify.
As for clearances and tolerances, I reckon a Fulvia engine is as tightly put together as anything modern.

Oil is as much a coolant as a lubricant so high oil pressure is not necessarily a good thing if it is achieved by thick oil - old Used Car Salesman's trick - put gear oil in a knackered engine, looks marvellous and lasts long enough to get rid of the poor sucker before the big ends go.    10-40 semi synthetic does mine very well indeed and is thin enough to provide high flow through the bearings.