Hi all,
Where in Sydney can you get selinia oil at a reasonable price? And how much?
Anyone?
If its so hard to get, why not use Castrol Edge?, easy to get at Repco, Bursons, Supercheap and Autobahn, lot cheaper and therefor can afford to change it more often, Colin.
I too was wondering, why don't you use the top name synthetic, ie Mobil 1 or Penrite or Martini, all have been used by others and Alfa workshops to great satisfaction.
156 2.0? Twin spark or JTS? Liqui Moly can be bought at most Autobarn outlets, and have great stock base quality.
http://www.liqui-moly.com.au/products/motor-oil/ (http://www.liqui-moly.com.au/products/motor-oil/)
Ok where to get martini?
Franks pitstop, liverpool road Ashfield.
Martini is a very good oil that flys under the radar, if you look at 50's-90's motorsport in Europe, you will see a lot of Martini banners on racetracks and supporting a lot of Alfa Romeo racecars, 10-40 for a twin spark, 10-60 for a JTS and 10-60 for a twin spark with a thirst for oil, Colin.
I checked out their website a while back and am keen to try. Think it's the go. Martini racing has been around forever and I'm sure by now they would have their oil down. How expensive? I'm still going to buy just curious
I purchased some Martini oil in Melbourne last year and it was about what you pay for Castrol / Mobil / Shell oil for a 156, Martini oil is not available from the usual places such as Repco /Supercheap /Autobahn, but at specialist suppliers and some car servicing places, Colin.
Mr Bruno Colautti at Maranello Pur Sang has used Martini religiously for many many years with great success, give him a call.
You will only need to use the full synthetic 10W40.
Another well known Alfa workshop, Monza Motors, go by Penrite with great success for road and race cars.
So take your pick.
In my 156 owners manual it states that if you don't use Selena, then your Alfa will be severely compromised, Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat, and Fiat has links The Selena oil group.
In my 33 owners manual it states that the oil to use in your 33 is Shell, Mobil, IP [Italian Petroleum], AGIP, Martini or any quality oil of the correct Viscosity and maufacturers approval, that is because Alfa Romeo had no links with any oil companies, but they used to get sponsored by Martini and AGIP, [but not at the same time!], a lot of Holden dealers use Mobil, because they sponsor their racing team HRT, [Holden Racing Team], while over at Ford the dealer use Castrol lubricants...... cause Castrol sposor FPR, [Ford Performance Racing], 30 years ago Holden Dealers used Castrol, because Castrol sponsored Peter Brocks Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Toranas and Commodores, what i am waffling on about is buy the oil that has the right Viscosity [10-40], the right base, Mineral based, semi Mineral based, Fully Synthetic or Sythetically Fortified, for the 156 it has to be Fully Synthetic and Make sure it has the correct manufacturers approval, seen on the back of the oil container, Colin.
Quote from: colcol on March 14, 2013, 09:30:06 PM
Martini is a very good oil that flys under the radar, if you look at 50's-90's motorsport in Europe, you will see a lot of Martini banners on racetracks and supporting a lot of Alfa Romeo racecars,
Oh come on, Martini Racing's sponsorship was for Martini & Rossi not Martini Racing products pty ltd.
Ok Steve, i will take the ruler crack across the knuckles and accept that there are TWO Martini brands, for years i thought it was a alcohol company, as in a Dry Martini, then i was told thats its an Italian Lubricant company, that has a Bull on its Logo, so then you look at all the Martini sponsorship of Alfa - Fiat - Lancia - Ferrari and i think, good on this Oil company for assisting our favourite Italian race teams, now you put me right by saying its also called Martini and Rossi, lucky we don't have a grog company in Australia called Castrol or i would be really confused, i saw a Martini sponsored Lancia Delta with Fiats brand of oil Selenia on the car as well, now it all makes sense, Colin.
My mother prefered one, I prefer the other.
That said I ran out of Martini Oil the other week so I went to Autobarn and bought some Castrol Edge with Titanium (20w-60). Not cheap but worth every cent as I could hear the difference.
While I have TS, it was suggested that I use the thicker oil as that model of engine (310?) uses oil.
For twin spark, Fully Synthetic 10-40, twin spark with a drinking problem, 10-60, first JTS 156, [like mine], on the radiator apron has 10-40 oil to use, then after oil consumption concerns started to raise concerns, Alfa Romeo changed the oil viscosity to 10-60. Alloytec direct injection Commodores, Audi's and Volkswagon's Direct Injection all love a drink of oil, someone i know with a Audi 4WD, used 2 litres per 1,000klms and dealer said that was normal and acceptable, he was glad when the timing chain broke, because he got a new engine under warranty!, but you never hear of these things in the press, because German Engineering is so Reliable, Italian Engineering on the other hand is always causing Alfa Romeo's to break down, i know cause i read it in the Herald Sun car section, Colin.
Hi, Selenia oil can be bought at Brian Foley Automotive - www.foleyalfa.com.au - Selenia Racing $18.50 plus gst per litre :)
Why do people bother with Selenia? There are so many better oils out there :)
That would be 10w60 John. I would use the 5w40 in a twin spark if oil consumption is not too high.
I've just replaced the engine oil in the Giulietta QV with Shell Ultra 5w-40. Fully synthetic and meets current Fiat and Alfa specs. It's easier to get and a lot cheaper than Selenia. The oil filter is a challenge to remove. Why do manufactures not only make it difficult for us to service but I'm sure if I were still working on cars for a living I'd be mighty cranky with this move to the past. Also why have they moved back to cartridge filters? Might have something to do with the price of the parts; $45 for a filter!!
There was a post a while back about a oil filter for a GM based V-6 out of a 159 costing about $80 from an Australian Alfa Romeo Dealer, he later found out a Ryco filter from Supercheap was $13!, if the local prices are out of this world, try some of the overseas supplies, but get prices first.
Don't know where the cartridge is a a new Guilietta, any pictures?, couldn't be worse than a V-6 147 or 156, i have been told you have to remove the power steering pump to get at it, Colin.
Quote from: Silver Bodgie on August 14, 2013, 08:05:08 PM
I've just replaced the engine oil in the Giulietta QV with Shell Ultra 5w-40. Fully synthetic and meets current Fiat and Alfa specs. It's easier to get and a lot cheaper than Selenia. The oil filter is a challenge to remove. Why do manufactures not only make it difficult for us to service but I'm sure if I were still working on cars for a living I'd be mighty cranky with this move to the past. Also why have they moved back to cartridge filters? Might have something to do with the price of the parts; $45 for a filter!!
Interesting,
What specs are called for by Alfa Australia exactly?
I know in Europe the Selenia oil recommended changed from Selenia Star PE to Selenia Sport Power. Both of these lubricants are 5w40 ACEA C3 rated. Shell Helix Ultra is actually ACEA A3 rather than C3 rated so it is a different formulation with different sulphate ash limits and ZDDP limits etc. I would wonder why Fiat lists a C3 lube as it is primarily for diesel engines. I do wonder if it is only for catalyst life or maybe inlet deposit reduction. It could be for the long service interval, we can only guess. Don't worry Helix Ultra will do a fine job lubricating your engine, just make sure it is allowed so to not give Alfa a scapegoat should you need to make a warranty claim.
You are correct Steve about Shell being A3 not C3 but I was drawn to this oil as the spec in the handbook refers to Fiat certification No. 9.55535-S2 as well as stating that it is 5W-40 ACEA C3 grade. The Fiat no. is listed on the Shell container and they also recommend this grade on their website for the Giulietta.
As a matter of fact the Selenia oil listed in the Handbook is StAR P.E.
Another mystery is the 1litre top up provided by Alfa and which is located in the pouch in the boot is 5w-30? What if I used that to top during its first year and something went wrong??
I'm a little confused and concerned!
Quote from: colcol on August 14, 2013, 10:48:36 PM
There was a post a while back about a oil filter for a GM based V-6 out of a 159 costing about $80 from an Australian Alfa Romeo Dealer, he later found out a Ryco filter from Supercheap was $13!, if the local prices are out of this world, try some of the overseas supplies, but get prices first.
Don't know where the cartridge is a a new Guilietta, any pictures?, couldn't be worse than a V-6 147 or 156, i have been told you have to remove the power steering pump to get at it, Colin.
I did get a price from the UK but once you add freight it comes out at the price as the local Dealer.
Quote from: Silver Bodgie on August 16, 2013, 06:10:17 PM
You are correct Steve about Shell being A3 not C3 but I was drawn to this oil as the spec in the handbook refers to Fiat certification No. 9.55535-S2 as well as stating that it is 5W-40 ACEA C3 grade. The Fiat no. is listed on the Shell container and they also recommend this grade on their website for the Giulietta.
As a matter of fact the Selenia oil listed in the Handbook is StAR P.E.
Another mystery is the 1litre top up provided by Alfa and which is located in the pouch in the boot is 5w-30? What if I used that to top during its first year and something went wrong??
I'm a little confused and concerned!
So it would appear that ACEA C3 is of no consequence to meeting the Fiat certification. Its interesting that in Europe Fiat 9.55535-GH2 is called for but not here. Maybe it's our fuel.
Here is a copy of the service book in the UK
(http://i.imgur.com/lwdkfXC.png)
The 5w30 is most likely ACEA C3 rated also so the difference in a practical sense maybe insignificant.
Steve it's interesting the difference in the UK handbook to the one published in Aus and also what's listed as the appropriate oil to use? As you say it maybe the fuel. Now since our last posts I've done some more digging and it would appear that my eyes aren't what they used to be because on very close inspection the Fiat classification listed on the Shell container is different by one letter to that listed in my book. In fact it's a 'Z' not an 'S' as I previously indicated.
After searching other oils Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 does satisfy the Aus Alfa spec (C3) as well as Penrite Enviro+ 5W-40 fully synthetic. Penrite's the choice. So I guess I'm going to do my 2nd oil change in two days. Thanks for the questions and tech advice throughout the process, it's added to my knowledge base. Regards Peter :D
ACEA C3 is becoming the standard in Europe now but it's not all that popular here. Fuchs GT1 5w40 XTL is another good option.
Don't get too hung on 5w30 vs 5w40 as it can be irrelevant. As long as it meets ACEA C3 you can be assured it has sufficient viscosity. Note they say you can use any lubricant meeting the ACEA specification (i.e. C3) without reference to the SAE viscosity grade (5w40) if you cannot attain the appropriate Selenia fluid.
Hello ColCol
Just been reading this thread. My 2012 Giulietta 1.4 petrol multi air needs a 15K oil change shortly. I got a quote for $45 for 2L Selina from Alfa dealer. Interesting your comments re links with oil companies and what the recommend! So what do you recommend for my Giulie? I'm happy to use another brand which is easier to source! Sarah
Just read Silver Bodgie's reply - there's my answer! Shell! I'll double check with Bodgie.
Just get some 5-40 Fully Synthetic oil from your favourite brand, and have a look at the back of the container and see if it has a Fiat approval, have a look at Repco, Supercheap and Autobahn, don't get too hung up on the brands, just don't run it out of oil and change it on time, Colin.
Hi, just as a side note, Ryco filters are now manufactured in China , we find their quality unnaceptable to sell in store(as an independent we are not bound to purchase certain brands as Repco and Supercheap are) and sell Sakura and Wesfil....usually at around $9.95. I suppose this means we are cheaper than Supercheap........not at all unusual to be honest.
Auto
Why are Ryco Filters unsuitable for sale?, they are a long trusted brand, and would come with some sort of warranty, have you had some sort of issue with them?, Colin.
Is there an experienced recommendation for the diesel Alfas (1.9JTD)?
I remember reading somewhere about an HPE (Penrite?) which might make her a little less clattery** due to added zinc??
I have no real oil knowledge or experience although I did used to calibrate XRF's for Shell/Mobil/Castrol (amongst other industries) and others for QA when they "mixed" up their (and others) different oil types (specs) from the same bases. Since then I've just bought on vehicle min. spec requirement, price and known brand.
**....not that you can't but love the clatter.
I agree with you Colin, they were a long trusted brand but are now manufactured in China to a lower standard but still priced as before , a lot of independent stores no longer stock them, there are better filters out there...out of 10 vehicle owned in my family not one carries a ryco filter.....I tend to use and sell Sakura filters, made to a very high standard and in a lot of cases 50% cheaper than the ryco equivalent
Most aftermarket filters are made in China or Asia somewhere. Why are Ryco so bad now? Ryco and Wesfil are GUD brands.
I have used Ryco oil filters for 40 years, never had a problem, were originally made in Australia then New Zealand followed by South Africa and now China, where next?, i am guessing Vietnam.
Ryco are a big longtime trusted company who would hopefully stand behind their products, but in all the years i have purchased oil filters from all different brands, never had a bad one, in so far as its not leaking and fits and not rough looking, Colin.