Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: puffa on 08 October 2008, 10:04:02

Title: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: puffa on 08 October 2008, 10:04:02
Ok,, For a few weeks now I have had a mechanical rattle on cold start up have changed oil and filter for genuine GM Parts and rattle remains for about 30 seconds after start up, then completely vanishes, have had the local vauxhall grease monkey specialist bloke look at it and he says cannot hear a rattle with his trained ear and length of pipe,, it appears there is two listings for 3.2 engine oil 10w40 and 5w40,, I have filled with 10w40 on the oil change as specified by GM, could it be that this should infact have been 5w40 and would that expalin the ratlle which is potentially caused by the oil  being  too thick ???   :-/

Steve
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: dbug on 08 October 2008, 10:16:17
GM 10w40 semi synthetic.

Whats your milage?
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 October 2008, 10:21:05
There's a very light lifter rattle from mine on a cold start which disappears as soon as the revs are lifted above idle and doesn't return.  Sounds like yours is similar. 10w40 semi synth oil should be fine if changed regularly. I use the GM 10w40 available from VX dealers as you can't beat it for value when purchased with a trade card.

What is the history of the car? The VX service intervals of 20K are really too long and if it's been subjected to this over a high mileage I would suggest a few quick oil changes at intervals of perhaps 1-2k miles to clean it out and then every 4-5k after that.

Kevin
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: dbug on 08 October 2008, 10:24:19
Agree with ^^^^^^

Mine had a top end rattle when cold - a couple of oil/filter changes cured.  Hydraulic lifter culprit.
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: Albatross on 08 October 2008, 11:26:35
Quote
Agree with ^^^^^^

Mine had a top end rattle when cold - a couple of oil/filter changes cured.  Hydraulic lifter culprit.

Agree with ^^^^^^

Mine (3.2) also had a top end rattle when cold - a couple of oil/filter changes cured.  Hydraulic lifter culprit.
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: SP_3.2 on 08 October 2008, 12:48:06
......Same here, had that sound than with a few close changes all gone. 10-40 is fine and it,s what most of us use on here.

try a few 1-2k changes and you will notice an inprovement. :y
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: tmx on 08 October 2008, 12:55:37
use 10 40 Semi Syn GM oil in my 3.0 i change the oil every 3k
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: feeutfo on 08 October 2008, 13:25:11
guess what, no, go on guess... Exact same as above.
Vx history from new, i bought at 70k, rattle from cold, oil and filter cured. 10w 40 semi synth from vx on trace club, used to be 30 sobs for box of 4 5litre bottles but i think they stopped that deal now. Still cheapest tho.
That reminds me must be due another change by now. I considered an engine flush and asked on here about it, all said no, just change the oil as this will desolve any deposits slowly and harmlessly without blockling the oil pick up pipe in sump.
Maybe yours is being a bit more stubborn, perhaps give it a few more days and change again. Guide in maintenance on lazy lifters iirc.
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: Big_Roger on 08 October 2008, 13:38:43
It is almost certain to be one of the hydraulic valve lifters. On mine I have a similar noise you describe, only lasts for about 5 to 7 seconds, first start in morning.

Persevere with short oil & filter changes using Vx 10/40 WW semi synth.

If it has been neglected in the past, you may speed up the cure with a dose of Wynns Hydraulic lifter treatment.

Roger
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: beemerdevil on 08 October 2008, 14:09:10
and again....gues what??? - yup, mine has same problem...lazy hydraulic lifter; have flushed and changed oil/filter, and it has improved - it doesnt do it every morning, but i intend to change oil again soon - may take a couple more changes to cure  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: puffa on 09 October 2008, 10:04:25
ok several oil changes coming up in the next two months then the car has 96k on the clock with main dealer service history till I brought it then specailist vauxhall garage history and in the last year mostly done myself as garage have quoted £360 to service which is daylight robbery.....

thanks everyone

Steve
Title: Re: Which oil for the 3.2 beast
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 October 2008, 10:24:28
Quote
ok several oil changes coming up in the next two months then the car has 96k on the clock with main dealer service history till I brought it then specailist vauxhall garage history and in the last year mostly done myself as garage have quoted £360 to service which is daylight robbery.....

thanks everyone

Steve

Damn right it is!. Nothing difficult about it. Only thing I would say in addition is make sure the cam belt was done at 80K, consider changing the automatic gearbox fluid if it hasn't been done yet (highly unlikely as VX view it as a fit and forget item,a nd keep the breather system clear.

Kevin