What oil to use?

[Doug Matheson]

I recently took my MX5 for a tune up and lube recently at our local Mazda
franchise . The service manager told me that the audable ticking sound I had
been hearing at idle was due to not using the designated Mazda oil.
Apparently it has been specialy designed to be used with Mazda engine parts.
'Yeah Right' ( as they say in the Tui adds) was my reaction to that. I have
been using Castrol Magnatec And beleived it was an O.K oil. Any way it
transpired the 'ticking' sound was due to a loose spark plug. Futher to the
recen't thread on what oil to use, does anyone out there use the Mazda oil (I
believe its about $45.00 for four litres), and have they noticed any benifit
Doug

[Nicky Patchett]

Hi Doug,

I find it quite interesting that a Mazda dealer said you should be using their
oil - I had my car serviced at East City Ford (& Mazda) last year, (now South
Auckland Ford I believe) and gave them a call to find out what oil they had
used as the Hydraulic Lifters had started making a few noises on start up a
week or so later.

At first they didn't know and then when they checked I was told Shell Helix
(they didn't say what grade). You would think that if it was so essential to
engine noises (or no engine noises preferrably) that they would at least offer
the option of their product. I went and brought Castrol Magnatec yesterday
after asking what the recommendation was for a car with 140 k's - I suspect I
won't be hearing any ticking sounds...

Nix

[...]

[EricW]

That's almost enough to get me to change to an NB!

You really do need to change the oil on an NA at least every 5000 to stop
lifter problems, I had a lot until I cottoned on to this. I started using
Magnatec two changes ago and it seems much better, but I also started using
the genuine Mazda filter, so I am not sure which made the difference,
however the combination works well.

Eric

[Nicky Patchett]

Mine's actuallly NA (manufactured in 1997 but registered in 1998), I took it back and they put some additive in which only cost me another $20-$30 as I recall... anyway will pick up a Mazda Filter tonight and learn the fine art of oil changing tomorrow

[dscotland]

how do you identify lifter problems - what do they sound like? My car is
due a change, but I haven't decided what to use yet.

Duncan

[EricW]

If the additive they used is a "Valve Lifter Cleaner" then it is quite
highly detergent and will clean the oil off areas such as the cylinder
walls, rings etc, so you should not leave it in the engine too long before
changing the oil.

I would spend my money on a better grade of oil and filters. That certainly
worked for me

Eric

[Wayne Sinclair]

What do you consider a better grade of oil? - any filter on the market is
only designed to take out the lumps - so what is a better grade of filter?
Wayne

[...]

[EricW]

I guess the answer is "something better than an unknown grade, (or any grade
for that matter), of Shell Helix".

I switched to Magnatec and it certainly seems to eliminate the lifter knock,
which was occuring from about 3500 km after each oil change. I also changed
to the genuine Mazda filter and the oil seems to be keeping cleaner for a
lot longer.

The lifters used to rattle slightly on start up after being parked up for a
period. They now do not, which suggests that there might be something in the
claim that Magnatec clings to the engine interior.

I now do oil changes at 5000km rather than when the lifters start to drive
me mad after each 3500 km on Shell Helix and an after market filter, so I
guess that I am coming out about square with longer life on a more expensive
oil and filter. I could probably leave it longer, but "Bwob" says 5000km,
and he should know.

I'm no oil expert, I just know what works for me

Eric

[Voodoo]

I used to use Mobil 1, but some suggestions from the USA that it could seep
past engine seals, and the cost, put me off.

I have used Shell Helix Plus 10W-40 for a while now, with Mazda filters. No
lifter problems until the oil is ready to be replaced (every 6 months approx)

Gary