My first thought would be that whomever serviced the car before, used the wrong oil. That could happen even if it was serviced at an Alfa dealer. The MA engines are sensitive to oil.

 

First 2 services (30 000km and 60 000km) was done at Chrysler/FIAT/Alfa Umhlanga and 90 000km was done at Chrysler/FIAT/Alfa Century City. Maybe I should get them to send me the job cards for these services. Surely if the wrong oiled was used they have some responsibility?

Ja, Giorgio told me to make sure correct oil must be used and changed every 10 000km. He did an oil/filter change as well with correct spec oil.

 

If you can get the jobs card from Umhlanga dealership please let us know if they used the correct oil. My Giulietta also had her first two services at Umhlanga dealership. The invoice I got from the prevouis did not specify the type of oil they used for the 60 000km service.

 

I thought that the oil problem was with the QV and not the multiair 1.4 units?

 

The MultiAir units are very sensitive to oil spec.
I had my Mito QV serviced at Cargo Motors and they used Castrol. A month later I started getting engine lights and warnings. I immediately went to Alfa Boksburg and got the correct Selenia Star 5w40 and did an oil and filter change myself. The car was happy after that.
Only two oils with correct spec for MultiAir is Selenia and Mobil 1.

Edit: You now get a Mobil 1 0w40 spec oil.

 

only ever had a small missfire on my MA due to low oil but nothing else. serviced every 10000 with new oil and oil filter. she gets 1.8 bar boost and is happy.

 

Revised MA unit? I need to plan a oil change service at Chatz maybe on Saturday.

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Auto Azzurri told me Titan GT1 is the correct oil to use on MA. Needless to say.. Never going there with my MiTo.

 

Titan GT 1 is the correct spec and complies specifically with FIAT 9.55535-S2.
Change the oil and filter every 10 000km

PCMO - 5W-40 | Fuchs Lubricants South Africa
vs
https://www.pli-petronas.com/uk/products/passenger-car-oil/petronas-selenia/selenia-star

Giorgio is probably one the most knowledgeable authorities on Alfa Romeo and I trust him and his workshop completely. Go chat to the man.

 

I saw Liqui-Moly now also has oil that meets the correct spec.

https://products.liqui-moly.com/oils/top-tec-4100-5w-40-1.html

 

Yup, I always thought the Liquid Moly meets the same spec.
I was waiting for someone to confirm.:cop:

 

Received news today that my MA unit is faulty and needs to be replaced under warranty.

Service advisor said you can use any oil that meets the correct spec.

 

Service advisor knows diddly squat.

 

Selenia Oil is available at the dealers walk in and get it over the counter,the oil is specifically for the Multiair engines....have a look at the cans...
Why would you go and try other oils?????
I think we are well versed now to know how sensitive this MA is..
the sensor on the unit also picks up the viscosity of the oil..
You want to save R15k/R16k ??? use the correct oil..

 

You know you get those who are adamant on saving R20 per liter of oil so they swear by their product and never tell you of their most recent blow-up either. But hey, they saved R20/L... :cheese:

 

It would be interesting to see what the oil guru's have to say. Certainly if two oils have the exact specifications they should in theory perform the same function? It is not about saving money, it is nice to know that there is alternatives available.

As far as I understand the oil change intervals are a bigger contributor to M/A failures than the specific oil itself. Even if you use Selenia, it would be insane to only change every oil every 30 000km.

 

One thing I know from owning Alfa is never trust the service advisors, they might be correct but best to research the subject yourself and do lots of asking around. Then make your own decision.

 

Question.....

I changed oil on my sister Mito with Shell Helix Ultra 5w40, which in my opinion is one of the best full synthetic oil you can buy. She has done less than 5000km/year. checked the oil last week... doesnt look if its dark at all. clean clean. Would you guys think i should maybe go back to Selina oil??

As for the dealers... Chatz put Castrol Magnatec in my 159 TBi @ 30 000kms. Probably the crapest oil you can put into any car. creates sludge and if you change to a different oil... BANG!!!!

 

Unfortunately the multiair engines and tbi engines are not bothered by opinions. They want the correct spec or they will break.

The Selenia oil has lubrication as well as consistent hydraulic properties (has to act as a hydraulic fluid with the exact same properties over a wide temperature range where normal engine oils experience changes in those properties which affect wear and performance of the multiair unit) as well as specific cleaning agents in order to work inside your engine.

It is wrong to brag about having clean oil in your engine after 5000km just as it would be wrong to take a bath and get out leaving the bath water clean. What exactly did you wash off? The better oils turn black very quickly after an oil change but continue to work while being black, and prevent formation of sludge or varnish. An oil remaining clean is not removing any dirt from the engine, neither is it combatting varnish which may be sealing impurities.

 

Go back to Selenia, yes. You have nothing to lose (except perhaps a R100 or so) by using the correct Selenia.

And the story about Chatz using Magnatec in a TBi just shows you that even "the best" dealers still don't give a toss and can't be trusted on things like this.

 

chatz have been using the Selenia in the blue 5 litre for some time now in the TBI.

 

They certainly had the correct Selenia oil listed on my last service invoice.