Fully synthetic oil in the K series?

neilb740 · 23rd July 2014, 12:44

Would there be any benefits or is it a bad idea.

The reason I am asking is that my car is developing a rather noisy top end rattle that I am guessing is the hydraulic lifters. its worst as I dip the clutch to change gear and the engine revs are reducing.
Its quite at tick over and when revved gets noisy at about 2500rpm

We had a game of guess the strange noise at the last meet I went to and the consensus of opinion was try an oil change using a good engine flush product.
I have already tried Wynns hydraulic valve treatment in the current oil with no results.

I know the manual recommends a part synth oil but would fully synth have any benefit?
Any other ideas on the cause also appreciated.

wuzerk · 23rd July 2014, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilb740

Would there be any benefits or is it a bad idea.

The reason I am asking is that my car is developing a rather noisy top end rattle that I am guessing is the hydraulic lifters. its worst as I dip the clutch to change gear and the engine revs are reducing.
Its quite at tick over and when revved gets noisy at about 2500rpm

We had a game of guess the strange noise at the last meet I went to and the consensus of opinion was try an oil change using a good engine flush product.
I have already tried Wynns hydraulic valve treatment in the current oil with no results.

I know the manual recommends a part synth oil but would fully synth have any benefit?
Any other ideas on the cause also appreciated.

I would have thought, if there is not a known cause of the rattle, that an increase in the engine oil viscosity rating was more important than using Fully synthetic, to see if it had any advantage?

neilb740 · 23rd July 2014, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuzerk

I would have thought, if there is not a known cause of the rattle, that an increase in the engine oil viscosity rating was more important than using Fully synthetic, to see if it had any advantage?

Its worth a try. what viscosity would you think was best to go for?

wuzerk · 23rd July 2014, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilb740

Its worth a try. what viscosity would you think was best to go for?

If you are using oil with an upper rating of 30 then try 40 and so on. If there is an improvement then, apart from any known causes in your type of engine,
it would indicate wear? Euro car parts have just sent me an ad for Castrol
at under £19 for 4 litres if they do the right grade for your experiment.

DMGRS · 24th July 2014, 10:17

I've always had lovely quiet K Series engines using semi-synthetic - I'd recommend a flush first, and if that doesn't fix it, cleaning out the tappets properly.
Failing that, you can always grab a few new ones if needed:
K Series Tappets

beinet1 · 24th July 2014, 12:14

I have runned my K-engine on 5w40 Synthetich oil for the last 3 years. I am of the understanding that this oil keeps the engine cleaner inside than the semisynth oils and prevents tappet and piston ring seizing..

pletevl · 24th July 2014, 12:19

We have 4 k series engined cars and all have been run on full synthetic oil for over 10 years.

Pete

neilb740 · 24th July 2014, 12:49

I have been told that the diesel specific fully synthetic oil is better quality and has more additives.
Is there any truth in that?

DMGRS · 24th July 2014, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilb740

I have been told that the diesel specific fully synthetic oil is better quality and has more additives.
Is there any truth in that?

Diesel spec oil has more detergents, so it's handy to run in an engine that's got a build up of gunk in the lifters or other areas.

neilb740 · 24th July 2014, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMGRS

Diesel spec oil has more detergents, so it's handy to run in an engine that's got a build up of gunk in the lifters or other areas.

Now I think about it,,,it may have been you that told me that in the first place lol

23rd July 2014, 12:44	#1
neilb740 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 1.8 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 2,298 Thanks: 110 Thanked 362 Times in 237 Posts	Fully synthetic oil in the K series? Would there be any benefits or is it a bad idea. The reason I am asking is that my car is developing a rather noisy top end rattle that I am guessing is the hydraulic lifters. its worst as I dip the clutch to change gear and the engine revs are reducing. Its quite at tick over and when revved gets noisy at about 2500rpm We had a game of guess the strange noise at the last meet I went to and the consensus of opinion was try an oil change using a good engine flush product. I have already tried Wynns hydraulic valve treatment in the current oil with no results. I know the manual recommends a part synth oil but would fully synth have any benefit? Any other ideas on the cause also appreciated.

24th July 2014, 10:17	#5
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	I've always had lovely quiet K Series engines using semi-synthetic - I'd recommend a flush first, and if that doesn't fix it, cleaning out the tappets properly. Failing that, you can always grab a few new ones if needed: K Series Tappets __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

24th July 2014, 12:14	#6
beinet1 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.0 V6 Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sandnes - Norway Posts: 1,560 Thanks: 64 Thanked 283 Times in 174 Posts	I have runned my K-engine on 5w40 Synthetich oil for the last 3 years. I am of the understanding that this oil keeps the engine cleaner inside than the semisynth oils and prevents tappet and piston ring seizing..

24th July 2014, 12:19	#7
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,278 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	We have 4 k series engined cars and all have been run on full synthetic oil for over 10 years. Pete

24th July 2014, 12:49	#8
neilb740 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 1.8 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 2,298 Thanks: 110 Thanked 362 Times in 237 Posts	I have been told that the diesel specific fully synthetic oil is better quality and has more additives. Is there any truth in that?