Hi all, just picked up a '02 VRS last Friday and I have a question about servicing/oil.

The car has been on the long life service plan and was last serviced 13k ago. The service indicator is now showing on the dash and I don't trust what oil was used on the last service (book has been stamped by a mobile mechanic). I have read about sludge problems on these engines and was wondering if I should do an oil change with some Shell Helix oil I have (10W-40 semi synthetic VW 502/505 spec), drive it for a couple of weeks then change the oil again to some VW 504 spec (any recommendations?). Car is just coming up to 73k if that makes any difference.

I'm thinking I will probably change it to the 10,000 mile / 12 months service interval anyway, do I still need to use the 503/504 spec oil though?

5w/30 Fully synth is what you need, stick to genuine VW oil as well.

I would also recommend that if you have no record of the oil pump pick up pipe being replaced then I would sort that asap.

I've been doing quite a bit of reading and not come across any oil pump pick up pipe problems yet, I will have a search later.

How much is the oil from VW/Skoda? I was looking at Shell Helix Ultra Extra (Mega Super...!) 5W-30 which is about £40 for 5l.

I've been doing quite a bit of reading and not come across any oil pump pick up pipe problems yet, I will have a search later.

How much is the oil from VW/Skoda? I was looking at Shell Helix Ultra Extra (Mega Super...!) 5W-30 which is about £40 for 5l.

Oil pump pick up needs replacing every 75k really, parts are not expensive.

Reference oil: http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1354 much cheaper.

So a sump off job then? Is the sump easy to remove or is there anything obstructing it?

Thanks for the link, bit confused though - that oil is not 503/504 spec and 5W-40 not 5W-30? It just seems a little odd to use different viscocity oil even if it will be changed more regularly. Maybe after 2 years the viscocity of 5W-30 oil becomes more like 5W-40...!

Seems like a good forum here (I've been a member of plenty of others!) with some good info. I've already got a replacement oil breather hose on the way which seems to be another common problem.

Sorry my mistake, 5w/40 is correct and recommended

So a sump off job then? Is the sump easy to remove or is there anything obstructing it?

There is a guide in the technical guide section. This should give you a better idea how easy it is, as this will very much depend upon what kind of work you are comfortable doing.

Sorry my mistake, 5w/40 is correct and recommended

Still slightly confused, is that 5W-40 just intended for the 'fixed' 10,000 mile service interval?

There is a guide in the technical guide section. This should give you a better idea how easy it is, as this will very much depend upon what kind of work you are comfortable doing.

Thanks, I will take a look.

Still slightly confused, is that 5W-40 just intended for the 'fixed' 10,000 mile service interval?

In a way yes, but oil and filter should be replaced every 6k on a turbo engine in any case.

Ok cheers. I was reading about engine flush treatments and the general consensus seems to be a 'no' for them, so to try and clear out some of the crap in there could I use some cheap oil (I have the above mentioned Shell Helix just lying around), then change it to good 5W-30 oil + a new filter shortly after?

Just my opinion but Tesco 5/40 Fully Synthetic at £20 for 4L would do.

My other car is a '94 Rover 220 GSi turbo, 200 bhp standard & I've had it since May '97.

Done all servicing myself & used either Halfords 5/40 Fully Synth (sometimes but one get one free) or tesco stuff.

On 135k, still going strong, & original turbo.

I change the oil once a year, whatever mileage it does.

On the Octy, I use the same oil, I don't see what can be so particular about these engines tbh

All just my 2p's worth of course, I just think you can over spend & over worry re. oils

Edited 13 July, 201114 yr by Jonathan_1.8T