Oil, Redex and Petrol.

[James McGrath]

Hello, I was wondering today, while I was doing my weekly checks on my Cavalier, what oil would be best for my engine. I have the old 1.6L 8 valve injection engine and was wondering if anyone would have any recommendations/suggestions about what oil would be best for it?
I'm currently using Castrol Magnatec 15W-40 A3/B3.

Also I occasionally use Redex (the one for injection engines) to keep the engine injectors clean, is this any good for the engine or is it a waist of money? Because I don’t notice any difference when I use it.

One last question, what would happen if I used super unleaded petrol instead of normal unleaded?

[Envoy CDX]

1) I use 20/50w as a flush oil and 10w40 semi synth from Vauxhall for my general everyday oil.
2) Redex, can sometimes lead to more problems than it solves. It does a good job of shifting desposites from the fuel lines (so much so it shows you exactly where its rotten - it did on my 1994 1.6 Cav).
And super unleaded, probably not worth it in the 1.6, though it will do a simular job to Redex, you'd only see any difference if you changed the Ron plug for a 95/98 plug, even then I'm not sure if it would be noticeable - would probably take a couple of tank fulls before the ECU registered any changes.

[Cavalier342]

Hi mate. I'm using Castrol GTX High Mileage for my engine, as the oil is designed for engines with over 70k miles. But for the value and not having put a foot wrong, i choose that manufacturer
i used Redex for a while, but i can say honestly STP Fuel Injector cleaner does a better job, especially with a good long run.
With the fuel, i agree with EnvoyCDX, I tried running my 1.8i on super, but i noticed absolute no difference in economy, or power. I'm the more economical motorist, so mpg counts a lot to me. The only thing that makes me tempted to fill up with super is that the fuel is cleaner than normal unleaded. Only that i would hate to block my injector with crudd.
Andrei

[andysri]

i use castrol high milage as well with a decent oil filter. also every once in a while i put a small bottle of unipart engine protector in there as well. it seems to be just as good as slick 50 but half the price.

ive used redex injector cleaner expecting to experience poor running and smoke coming from the exhaust but after a few days i was convinced it improved performance, i thought it was just me at 1st but i was sure the car was faster while that stuff was in the system.

[humbucker]

forget redex; use a bottle of wynn's injector cleaner with your next full tank of fuel and send your injectors off for ultrasonic cleaning.

[andysri]

thinking about doing this as i have a spare set i can stick in there so i can still use the car while there being done. any ideas on a cost? and who does it?

[James McGrath]

Hi mate. I'm using Castrol GTX High Mileage for my engine, as the oil is designed for engines with over 70k miles. But for the value and not having put a foot wrong, i choose that manufacturer
i used Redex for a while, but i can say honestly STP Fuel Injector cleaner does a better job, especially with a good long run.
With the fuel, i agree with EnvoyCDX, I tried running my 1.8i on super, but i noticed absolute no difference in economy, or power. I'm the more economical motorist, so mpg counts a lot to me. The only thing that makes me tempted to fill up with super is that the fuel is cleaner than normal unleaded. Only that i would hate to block my injector with crudd.
Andrei

Hello, thanks for the advice, My cavalier has done well over 70,000 miles in-fact it's more than double that so I might change to Castrol GTX High Mileage. I think I’ll carry on using redex but not as often and I’ll give STP Fuel Injector cleaner a try. As for super unleaded it doesn’t sound like it's worth it.

[TheMorphiuz]

Redex, forget it, STP Injector Cleaner, maybe.
What you want to use is Dipatane. Give it a Google... I need to start using it again, cleans the bores out by burning the carbon off, cleans your emissions and can save fuel!

Also, don't bother with expensive petrol, the engine doesn't have a knock sensor so it won't advance the timing, it doesn't improve fuel economy that much. I'd only recommend it for chipped, mapped or forced injection engines.

I've always used GM's own label 10W40 in all my cars, including the Turbo. It's probably relabelled Mobil or something. Does the job, anyway.

[Gaz]

I've always used GM's own label 10W40 in all my cars, including the Turbo. It's probably relabelled Mobil or something. Does the job, anyway.

From what ive heard its normal castrol

[humbucker]

thinking about doing this as i have a spare set i can stick in there so i can still use the car while there being done. any ideas on a cost? and who does it?

i got mine from these guys; it works out not much more to get them to provide you with a set of new injectors cleaned with new seals, filters and o-rings rather than sending your old ones off. this way you can leave the old ones in until the new ones arrive. and in my case i wanted x30xe injectors rather than the c25xe ones that were already on the car.

as for cost, best bet is to get in touch with them. mine were for a v6 so obviously have more injectors to buy/clean that a four cylinder vehicle.

http://www.injectortune.co.uk

Let us know how you get on. Incidentally, this video is from their own website:


Link
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