Oil

[Richie m]

I started my daughters 98 beetle 2.0 today and the valve train was very loud.It's been below freezing here last night and today and the last oil change I used 5-30 castrol non synthetic oil thinking it would be good for the winter I wonder should I have used something else.Any thoughts? Thanks

[Smileybug]

I always used Castrol synthetic 5w40 all year round in my 2.0. Never really had it be too loud, even with snow on the ground.

[Ven]

I always used Mobil 1 10w30 in my 2.0.. never had any problem rven below 0


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[Richie m]

I've seen 5-40 diesel motor oil would this be alright for a gas engine?

[Smileybug]

What specific type are you looking at? Plenty of 5w40 rated oils out there.

Castrol Syntec/Edge 5w40 and Mobil 1 0w40 are two good oils for use in VWs. The 2.0 isn't as picky about oil, but technically no VW rated oil is a conventional. Most are 5w40 synth.

[Tytan]

What oil filter did you use ?

I had a Nissan that would rattle for a few seconds on the first start of the day and it was the cheapo Fram filter I had used. The anti drain back valve in the filter was probably defective or leaking. I went back to oem Nissan filters and it never did it again. Because of this experience I will pay a few bucks extra for a good quality oil filter.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Richie m

I started my daughters 98 beetle 2.0 today and the valve train was very loud.It's been below freezing here last night and today and the last oil change I used 5-30 castrol non synthetic oil thinking it would be good for the winter I wonder should I have used something else.Any thoughts? Thanks

Why not put in what VW intended. Either Castrol Edge 5W40,
Mobil One 0W40 or even Castrol Edge 0W30. All those are VW approved motor oil and prevent sludge. I run Castrol 5W40 all year round and it gets way below Zero sometimes here in Indianapolis and so far no issues with noisy valvetrains or starting. How often do you change your oil? Do you check it on a regular basis?

You may want to run some Seafoam through your crankcase prior to your next oil change to free up any sticky valves.
Just put half a can of Seafoam in your crankcase and drive it for 3-4 days prior to doing the oil change. That stuff works miracles. Just don't keep it in there for more than a week prior to the oil change and then put in straight synthetic without any additives. Best to keep it pure.

Good Luck!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Tytan

What oil filter did you use ?

I had a Nissan that would rattle for a few seconds on the first start of the day and it was the cheapo Fram filter I had used. The anti drain back valve in the filter was probably defective or leaking. I went back to oem Nissan filters and it never did it again. Because of this experience I will pay a few bucks extra for a good quality oil filter.

Very true. I had some bad experience with Fram filters as well. Only use either the OEM VW filter or Mobil One filters.

[Richie m]

I use castrol syn in my wifes and daughter's cars and regular castrol in my old truck.I guess this time I cheeped out, there was a sale on so I thought i'd try the 5-30 for the winter.It's not always easy to get 5-40 castrol syn here and the dealer is 30 miles away.The filter I used was a canadian tire filter and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't made by fram.It gets really cold here in Nova Scotia in winter well below zero thats one reason i was thinking 30 weight.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Richie m

I use castrol syn in my wifes and daughter's cars and regular castrol in my old truck.I guess this time I cheeped out, there was a sale on so I thought i'd try the 5-30 for the winter.It's not always easy to get 5-40 castrol syn here and the dealer is 30 miles away.The filter I used was a canadian tire filter and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't made by fram.It gets really cold here in Nova Scotia in winter well below zero thats one reason i was thinking 30 weight.

Nothing wrong with 30 weight oil. I have used Castrol Edge 0W30 European Formula in my Audi TT's for as long as I owned them and people on the Audi Forums swore by that oil. Not only when it's cold but also when it's hot. It is a VW and Audi approved motor oil and works well in Audi's or Beetle's for that matter. I just chose to go with either the Castrol 5W40 or the Mobil One 0W40 whatever is on sale at Autozone or Pep Boys at the time I need an oil change.
My Beetle has over 160k on the clock and I figure in an older engine a little heavier oil might be best. So far my beetle doesn't burn or use a drop of oil between changes. I bet it can go another 160k miles before she retires.

[Jeff2]

The first thing I'd do is replace the cheap Canadian Tire filter with an OEM filter (and top off the oil) and see if the noise goes away. I'm guessing it will.

[Richie m]

Thanks for all the advice.