Oil for Alfa Romeo 155 V6

[ChaosphereIX]

Hello,

I am in Canada, and am looking for some oil for my Alfa 155 V6. This one might be a challenge, as the car is extrmely rare. The recommended weight is 10w40, or 10w60 for hard driving [track etc.]. Right now the dealer put in 10w30 and I am afraid of shearing as the engine does get hot during runs. The engine also runs very tappety, and it was recommmended to change the oil to see if it gets better with a different oil.

I am looking at a good replacement. I cannot source Selenia 20 here, which is the recommended fill. I am a fan of Rotella T6 in my Saab. It works great and is cost effective.

Would this oil be ok for my engine you think? I know it is a diesel oil, but it apparently is great for high performance engines too.

My other options would be to go with the expensive Royal Purple or Amsoil...but those are 3X the price of the Rotella...


Look forward to many discussions in the future...
Thanks,

 

[cp3]

If you like the T6 I would give it a try. Probably will fit the bill.

And...

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Nice ride. I'd try the T6 as well, and run an oil analysis when you change it out.

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Thanks for the welcomes.

I will try out the T6 and see what shakes out.

Thanks.

 

[jayg]

Hey another Alfa guy! Welcome. I have a Spider with a 2.0 DOHC motor and alot of people are recommending the diesel oils on the Alfa boards. 15w40 Rotellas or Delo.

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: jayg
Hey another Alfa guy! Welcome. I have a Spider with a 2.0 DOHC motor and alot of people are recommending the diesel oils on the Alfa boards. 15w40 Rotellas or Delo.



a fellow Alfisti!

thanks for the welcome. I will give the T6 5W40 a try and see what shakes out. Anything to fix that tappeting sound...

 

[default]

T6, or if its being used in the summer only, M1 15w50.

 

[shDK]

5-50 is good for thoose older alfa engines. 10-30 is way to thin

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: default
T6, or if its being used in the summer only, M1 15w50.

it is a 3 season car - will be using in spring and fall, as long as there is no snow out there...

M1 15w50 might be hard to find, T6 is readily available and cheap. My only concern is if the T6 will make the tappeting WORSE, rather than better. Dont know if thicker oil is needed to make it go away, or thinner...or if it is a mechanical thing - that is what I want to rule out here.

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: shDK
5-50 is good for thoose older alfa engines. 10-30 is way to thin

that was my thinking, 30w is way too thin for the kind of heat this engine chucks out...need a better rad too I think

 

[shDK]

Originally Posted By: ChaosphereIX
Originally Posted By: shDK
5-50 is good for thoose older alfa engines. 10-30 is way to thin

that was my thinking, 30w is way too thin for the kind of heat this engine chucks out...need a better rad too I think


Not only the heat. But older alfa engines are simply made with larger tolerances and play then the average engine. But the sound and power of theese old v6 engines makes grown men cry

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: shDK
Originally Posted By: ChaosphereIX
Originally Posted By: shDK
5-50 is good for thoose older alfa engines. 10-30 is way to thin

that was my thinking, 30w is way too thin for the kind of heat this engine chucks out...need a better rad too I think


Not only the heat. But older alfa engines are simply made with larger tolerances and play then the average engine. But the sound and power of theese old v6 engines makes grown men cry


true story in this case...

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: ChaosphereIX
Originally Posted By: shDK
But the sound and power of theese old v6 engines makes grown men cry


true story in this case...


Interesting....

There's a '98 154 for sale not too far from me, maybe I should check it out!

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: cp3
Originally Posted By: ChaosphereIX
Originally Posted By: shDK
But the sound and power of theese old v6 engines makes grown men cry


true story in this case...


Interesting....

There's a '98 154 for sale not too far from me, maybe I should check it out!


it would be a 156 if it was a '98. And yes for sure go check it out, the lustiness of the powertrain will blow your mind...

 

[cp3]

Ha ha....Right you are. I like it, sharp looking car!

Also a 164S on Trader right now.

 

[ChaosphereIX]

Originally Posted By: cp3
Ha ha....Right you are. I like it, sharp looking car!

Also a 164S on Trader right now.


would have the same engine as my 155 essentially, very good sound...but the 164S doesnt really do much for me vs the 155 or the 156+. Still, it is an Alfa and thus better than most other cheap stuff cars out there.

Now to just fix this oil/tappeting issue, and the issue with the fuelling [fuel check valve I think is gone...] and we are trouble free!

 

[shDK]

The v6 is a fairly robust engine. The 4 cyllinder engines does have a lot of problems though.

 

[cp3]

No the 164 did not grab me at all like the 156.

I would think the heavier oil should help with the sound.

 

[ChaosphereIX]

I am having a hard time finding some really thick oil like 10w40/50...

would the 5w40 Rotella T6 be a big mistake? I know the engine is tough, but I dont want to screw it up, spares are kinda hard to source...

 

[supercity]

The tappity sound is mostly normal. Oil consumption will most likely be a lot higher on 0w40 and 5w40 PCMO. I would stick with a 10w40 PCMO or a 5w40 HDEO.

Can you not buy a decent 10w40? Amsoil AMO 10w40 would be a good choice so long as it does not get too cold where you live. If you can get Penrite try their 10 tenths Racing 10w40. In Aus, Shell Helix HX7 10w40 is a cheap and well respected lube, can you get a Pennzoil equivalent maybe?

My Fiat requires 10w40 also and I asked for a decent lube here. I would use T6 in a jiffy if it were sold here so use it with confidence. I'm currently using M1 5w50.