OK,

As alot of you probably know now, I have been given a 1997 1.9D felicia which I am trying to give some TLC too. Now I know that it has stood on a driveway for a good few months and even though she drives very well, I want to give her an oil change. My main query, is that someone has already suggested changing the oil drain plug. Is this something that can be a bit of a problem then and should I fit a new plug when I do the oil change. I ask this as with my previous cars, I have always used the same drain plug without any problems at all.

Also, I have been reading alot of the threads in this forum and have found out loads of info for the car. But I can't find anywhere, a recommendation for a good (not overpriced) engine oil which will help keep my old engine going and help with any noise issues. Maybe it's because it could be thought of as advertising, but I have loads of technical data as to which oil I should use, but I'm still unsure as to which I should get. I want to get a good oil, that will do my engine good, but I don't want to go overboard and buy some overpriced and overated product. So if anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful. As you have probably guessed, this is my first diesel motor, so I am slightly unsure of some of the basics lol. The problem, is that I have probably over read this subject and made it seem more complicated that it needs to be, but then again, they do say that knowledge is power (I think). Anyway I will leave it to you knowledgeable people to hopefully point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

Ian

I ran older derv engines on millers oils, usually the XSD for the non turbo models. It was a semi synthetic 10w40 derv specific oil.

Very good and a good price too. They do XFD for a fully synthetic version too and in various viscosities.

Not sure what grade you need, but I'd definitely look at the millers range.

As for the plug, most cars have a sump washer which you replace every time on the sump plug. I believe on many skoda engines the sump plug does the job of the washer and is sacrificial. This is then the disposable item, in place of the washer, so you replace the sump plug every time.

Also make sure you use a high quality oil filter (OEM, FRAM, PURLUX, MANN etc) and for piece of mind throw a clean air filter in there too.

HTH

As above, except that on that engine you only need to replace the sump plug washer. Also for some reason the recommended oil change interval is every 5000 miles on the Felicia diesel.

dont overtighten the sump plug when you put it back,it is made of an alloy as is the sump,and it is very easy to strip the thread,ideally use a torque wrench set to the correct torque.

As above, except that on that engine you only need to replace the sump plug washer. Also for some reason the recommended oil change interval is every 5000 miles on the Felicia diesel.

Not sure why but the first XUD engines were on 5k intervals too.

I think most of that was based on using basic mineral oils at the time as the same engine with a turbo from a couple of years later was on a 6k interval.

I don't think you'll have any issue doing 5-6k changes if you use a good semi or fully synthetic oil.

I know flushes are not liked on here, but if you're going from a car with dirty oil that's been sat for a long time, I'd suggest running proper flushing oil through the car to remove any build up before you move to your good oil.

It might leave a bit of the flush in the oil, but then you can do the next change early and it should hopefully help the engine run a bit better.

Another thing that is often neglected on older cars is a coolant change along with a flush out of the radiator and replacing any pipes that have gone soft.

I don't know if the car needs G12 coolant (pink) or something else, so that is something that others will have to answer.

This link gives all sorts of useful advice

http://briskoda.net/octavia-i/oil-change-filter-change-tips/124589/