Old VW Oil

[Nick1994]

My aunt just got a 1970 Beetle yesterday. 1600cc single port. And the age old question.... What oil do I use!?

I've asked about older VW's oil here before but I'm still unsure. A lot of people said Rotella 15w40, but I asked a VW shop where I just went and got some parts and he said they use straight 30 weight and occasionally straight 40 weight in the summer. Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Quattro Pete]

Rotella 15w-40 or 10w-30 is what I'd probably use.

 

[eljefino]

20w50 used to be the go-to. Not saying it was right or wrong. Castrol GTX was hip.

Might be worth getting a sample to see how much fuel winds up in it.

 

[Bandito440]

I remember my grandfather saying that 20w-50 was the way to go in these. I think all four of his kids had them at different times.

Anyhow, I'd probably run Mobil 1 15w-50 or Maxlife 20w-50.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
Nick1994 - Your "VW Shop" gave you the correct advice although SAE20W-20 was specced too. An HDEO is the best mono-grade to use - just like the early Porsche engines used.

If doing your own OCs it's wise to clean the OP screen regularly too

I always used mono-grade HDEOs 20W-20 in my VWs (Type 3, Kharmann Ghia, and Kombi)including throughout Scandinavia in severe winters up to Nordkapp in Norway and on the German Autobahns and Italy and the Alps etc etc in Summer!

In Australia mono-grade SAE30 was the FF (OZ Assembly) and used in the aftermarket Servicing too

All that said people do use 15W-40 too - and others

 

[Darwin1138]

The manual of my 1996 beetle (Mexican) recommends 15W-40 API SF

I say you could use 0W-40 if you want to use synthetic like Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge or 10W-40 if you use conventional

Don't use straight weight oil

Also I would recommend to remove the fan shroud to see if your oil cooler is clean, because I have seen a few clogged up with dead leaves and dirt

 

[dparm]

Plenty of good 15w40s diesel truck oils to pick from (Rotella, Delo, Tection, etc). I'd get whichever is on sale at your local auto parts store.

There's no need for a straight-weight in that car with today's oils.

 

[fdcg27]

+1
I think a 15W-40 HDEO would suit this application very well.
This engine is air cooled, so oil temperature will vary widely with ambient temperatures.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Get a spin-on filter and almost all of your oil problems will be solved. I like Rotella T6 or Mag1 5-40 Fleet, if you can find it.

 

[Mach1Owner]

Find a shop that specializes in building/restoring old bugs and ask them what they use/recommend.

They would know those motors better than anyone here or even anyone @ VW now a days probably.

 

[Red91]

I'd probably use Delo or QS Defy in either 10W-30 or 15W-40

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
+1
I think a 15W-40 HDEO would suit this application very well.
This engine is air cooled, so oil temperature will vary widely with ambient temperatures.


Bingo!!! I agree 100%...

No doubt VW would have specked such had it existed 45-50 years ago...