spin on filter and my check kist

[robbo]

I have been thinking about fitting a spin on oil filter kit to my stag. I know they are more convenient in use but do they a keep the oil cleaner? I think I have read somewhere that this is the case. Also as I am new to Stag ownership a bit of a check list of best practice.

1:fuel premium unleaded.
2il valoline vr1 20/50 changed every 3000 miles along with filter.
3:coolant bluecol changed every year with a cooling system flush.
4:air filter is it worth using a k&n in place of the paper element?

My car has electronic ignition so I assume once its set there is no need to touch it. I have read around 16 btdc is ok?

I cant think of anything else at the moment but now doubt there are lots more. Please add to the list.
Regards Robbo

[bunny]

Change of colour
Going off line now for a few weeks

[Gresley]

Hi Robbo,

That looks a good list to me, I have also used Millers semi synthetic 20/50 and 20/60 with success. Worth checking the plugs - I have just got 24,000 miles from a set of NGK BP5E and there was still life in them...

Timing is around 12 deg for the MK2, mine prefers 99 octane fuel but will run on 95 if not driven hard. Not sure if the spin on filter is any better but probably more convenient. Saying that I have run on the standard type for 5 years and it seems OK. I wondered myself about a K&N filter, maybe someone can advise here?

Don't forget the gearnox and diff, including the 'jiggle pin' (I'm sure it has a proper name, spomething like breather pin I imagine!).

Above all enjoy your Stag and get out there and drive it

Brian

[jleyton]

Hi Robbo,

I'm sure you'll get lots of different opinions but here's mine:

1) Ordinary unleaded is fine
2) Yes, VR1 at 3,000 with filter is fine, although I prefer Millers Classic Sport 20w/50 Semi Synthetic
3) For the first time give it a damn good flush - even consider removing the rad to flush that through off the vehicle. Also, remove and drain the two cylinder block plugs (do a search on here for this). After that I reckon every two years to change is sufficient.
4)Air filter - I'd stick to a good quality standard one.
5) Ignition. Car's vary. 12 degrees is standard. I'd set it at that and then try advancing bit by bit until best running obtained - obviously be very careful of advancing too far and pinking.

Good to see you're thinking of all the right things to start with

Cheers

Julian

[bunny]

Did i read on here some where about being carefull not to mix your antifreeze with different makes.
vince

[milothedog]

Did i read on here some where about being carefull not to mix your antifreeze with different makes.
vince

Not makes Vince, Types. You can't mix OAT with IAT or in plain English modern coolant Red or Yellowish with old E/Glyco type, Blue or Green.

Ian

[bunny]

Ah yes thats the one.
There's that word yellow again

[jleyton]

Did i read on here some where about being carefull not to mix your antifreeze with different makes.
vince

Good point, although not so much makes as types - you shouldn't mix OAT type antifreeze with Ethyl Glycol, or else you end up with this

Cheers

Julian

Uh oh - Ian's quicker again, but I did add a pic

DSCN0986.jpg

[Andy Rundell]

i think you have most of your answers..... just one more comment about the air filter - i considered changing to a K&N, but after thinking about it you can buy an awful lot of regular filters for that money and i doubt you'll see any noticeable performance change - i elected to stick with standard ones

[milothedog]

Ah yes thats the one.
There's that word yellow again

All you need to know Vince.

1. What does antifreeze do?
Antifreeze prevents an engine from over heating at high temperatures and freezing during cold temperatures. Antifreeze also keeps metal surfaces in the radiator clean, and prevents scaling and corrosion attacks within the system; it also prevents wet sleeve liner cavitation in diesel applications.

2. What is the difference between propylene and ethylene glycol?
Although the chemical make of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol are quite similar, propylene glycol is less toxic, whereas ethylene glycol is less expensive and has slightly better heat transfer. Ethylene glycol is the most commonly used of the two in the automotive industry.

3. Can I mix propylene glycol with ethylene glycol?
Propylene glycol can be mixed with ethylene glycol without causing harm to the cooling system, but it does slightly weaken the heat transfer.

4. What types of Antifreeze are there?
There are a variety of types of antifreezes out there, depending on the application. The most traditional is conventional antifreeze, made for automotive and heavy-duty applications. Some heavy-duty conventional antifreeze is pre-charged with or without supplemental coolant additives (SCAs). There is an organic acid technology (OAT) that is considered an extended life or long life; and, there is a hybrid OAT, which combines conventional IAT and OAT technology that can also be fully formulated or not fully formulated with SCAs for heavy-duty use.

5. What is conventional Antifreeze?
Conventional antifreeze, also known as “Universal” antifreeze, is typically green in colour and is the most traditional of all automotive coolants. Its formulation includes a number of inorganic corrosion inhibitors known as inorganic acid technology (IAT); it provides fast acting protection and maintains the pH of the antifreeze. As the antifreeze is cooled and heated and exposed to air, the components of the formulation break down over time. At this point, the pH has dropped and it’s time to change the coolant. EcoFreez Premium Universal Coolant has a life span of 3 years or 80,000km.

6. What does OAT mean?
OAT means Organic Acid Technology, but is more commonly known as Extended Life Antifreeze or DEX-COOL® antifreeze.

7. What is Long-Life or Extended Life antifreeze?
Extended Life Antifreeze is typically carboxylate-based and was developed to provide superior performance over conventional coolants. While these coolants last significantly longer, they differ from conventional coolants; they are not chemically consumed and they do not protect as quickly as conventional coolants. Both coolants require very different procedures and change intervals from each other. Extended Life antifreeze is most commonly orange, but can range in colour. It is known to have unsurpassed corrosion protection for extended time intervals. Because carboxylate coolants have virtually no silicates or phosphates, they meet Asian and European Coolant specifications. Unlike conventional coolants, the chemical make in the additives of an OAT are not chemically consumed as they perform their function of inhibiting corrosion. OAT chemicals form a thin protective coating on the inside of the cooling system, which inhibits corrosion. As long as the cooling system is kept “topped-up” with proper extended life antifreeze and has a proper dilution ratio, it will continue to function properly. If the cooling system is not properly maintained and it develops leaks and/or sludge build-up, therefore leading to serious cooling system problems.

8. What happens if you mix conventional Antifreeze with Extended Life antifreeze?
Extended Life (OAT) antifreeze is NOT compatible with conventional (IAT) antifreeze. Aside from discoloration of antifreeze when the two are mixed together, a chemical reaction is caused when the carboxylate salts are mixed with the inorganic salts and caustics found in conventional antifreeze. If they are mixed, the antifreeze can become cloudy, precipitation can generate and the coolant will lose it’s extended life properties.

[bunny]

Ill pass it on to the bm