i recently had oil warning come on at 3 in the morning the only pil i could get my hands on was 5w 30 and bein a fair few miles from home i could only use it will it do damage or will it be ok

5w30 what?

Also what engine do you have? Are you on fixed or variable servicing?

Did it meet the spec or was it a generic 5w30? I assume it was fully synthetic, so who made it?

If the bottle says VW504/VW507 it shouldn't cause any problems.

IMHO some oil, even if not quite correct is still better than no oil and if you're concerned get it in for an oil change at a dealers etc.

Hmm.

As long as it's not the 5w30 semi synthetic used in Ford engines then as Cheeze says you should be OK for a bit... at least till you can get the oil changed in the next couple of weeks or so.

If it's the Ford stuff, get it out now.

Hmm.

As long as it's not the 5w30 semi synthetic used in Ford engines then as Cheeze says you should be OK for a bit... at least till you can get the oil changed in the next couple of weeks or so.

If it's the Ford stuff, get it out now.

Aarrrgggghhh :(

I think that it is this 5W30 (suitable for Fords) that my garage intends to put in my car tomorrow. Why would it be so bad for the engine? I might just go and buy some myself however then I'll have to argue with the mechanic that he doesn't know what he is talking about ... Never a pleasant job :(

Aarrrgggghhh :(

I think that it is this 5W30 (suitable for Fords) that my garage intends to put in my car tomorrow. Why would it be so bad for the engine? I might just go and buy some myself however then I'll have to argue with the mechanic that he doesn't know what he is talking about ... Never a pleasant job :(

Put simply, it's semi synthetic which means it's also part mineral.

The PD engine in your car is designed to use fully synthetic and effectively nothing else, in fact they can get damage by using the wrong grade or specification of fully.

I don't wish to sound alarmist, and I'm guessing - but the most probable damage would be to the injectors, with the risk slightly less to other components like the turbochrarger and bearings.

Sorry :(

I'd just buy the oil - tell him you can get it cheaper or something, and ask him to flush the engine as it's had the wrong viscosity in it.

You need the correct oil, because IIRC the PD injectors are cam driven and put a huge amount of stress on a very thin film of oil. If the oil isn't up to the job it breaks down and the PD injector/cam can be worn.

If you've used the wrong oil then a flush with something like forte oil flush and new oil/filter is good.

If you read your manual most the time I think (but am not sure) that it says you can fill up with a certain amount of the wrong oil and all you will do is need an early service.

Not right (PD is designed to use fully synth) - 505.01 is semi-synth. (507.00 is fully synth).

Not wishing to go through this whole tirade again, for a PD engine use only oil to VAG specification 505.01 for fixed and 507.00 for variable servicing. 507.00 replaces 506.01.

5W-30, 10W-40 etc. is not a specification but a viscosity rating - entirely different.

If you use incorrectly specified oil in your PD engine the valve cam lobes and followers will be damaged. This engine is special, and needs the oil designed for it.

rotodiesel.

Cheers everybody. I'll pick it up myself. At the end of the day he is still going to get paid for doing the job! The correct oil has been used in the car up to now so I won't need to worry about a flush.

Allcock, as long as you use synthetic oil you will be ok.

Thanks for the clarification as ever Roto

However...

Not right (PD is designed to use fully synth) - 505.01 is semi-synth. (507.00 is fully synth).

I thought 505.01 was a fully synthetic specification?

You need the correct oil, because IIRC the PD injectors are cam driven and put a huge amount of stress on a very thin film of oil. If the oil isn't up to the job it breaks down and the PD injector/cam can be worn.

That's what I said... er... honest...

Bah. It's what I meant anyway. And you know it :P

i m newbie, I don't wish to sound alarmist, and I'm guessing - but the most probable damage would be to the injectors, with the risk slightly less to other components like the turbochrarger and bearings.

i m newbie, I don't wish to sound alarmist, and I'm guessing - but the most probable damage would be to the injectors, with the risk slightly less to other components like the turbochrarger and bearings.

That sounds familiar...

Camshaft I believe is the first victim and you won't know anything about it until you've been running that oil for a while.

I am sure somebody posted a picture up of on that had used the wrong oil but my answers are just based on what I've heard said by others who should know.

having read this thread, i went to france and had an oil change using quantum longlife111 5w-30.....got local garage to do it as i didnt want main dealer touching my car, as their mechanics look too young ....while in france, i purchased a 5ltr can with a ltr stuck to the side ...it was shell helix ultra exra diesel 5w-30 with same vw 504.00/507.00 spec....the price was 32 euro's, which i thought was cheap given it was the same spec as the quantum and fully synthetic.

Why are the oils so dammed expensive, when you can buy the same in france cheaper?

I hate being ripped off, which is when i off to france again, i'll be buying more of the cans and do the servicing myself.

I hate being ripped off, which is when i off to france again, i'll be buying more of the cans and do the servicing myself.

Perhaps you should set up a group buy... :P

and charge dealer prices hehe