Renault 1.6 16v - K4M

[AnteLo]

Hello everyone,

I have a Renault with a 1.6 16v 107hp k4m engine.

Last 5 oil changes I've put ELF FT 5w40 A3/B4 full synthetic rn700/rn710, it's harder and harder to find that oil and it seems like it's out of production.

I'n in a warm climate (never gets under -5°C) and the car is used for daily/spirted driving with OCI of a 7000km ish.

Since the engine doesn't have an oil cooler and the coolant radiator fan turns on when the engine reaches 100c, would it be smarter to put 5w50 oil in it?

what are the thoughts on Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2? Mobil 1 FS x1 5w50?

engine is not tired but by nature from factory has "low" oil pressure and since I'm going to compete in longer racing events I'm looking for cheap-ish oil that I can also race on.

Thank everyone in the advance,
Ante

 

[ceecbtg]

You have different options for RN0700/710, in worst case some A3/B4 MB 229.3/5 is perfect. Depend on use you could use 5w50, but I won't do it if you have cheap 10w40 and 5w40 for short OCI.

 

[Japanese]

These three Castrol EDGE Euro oils cover Renault RN0700 / RN0710 that your engine requires.
Castrol EDGE Euro 0W-30 A3/B4
Castrol EDGE Euro 0W-40 A3/B4
Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-40 A3/B4

Mobil 1 FS Euro 5W-40 covers RN0700 / RN0710 too.

Motul 8100 X-Cess 5W-40 Gen2 also covers RN0700 / RN0710 as well.

All these oils will be great for your engine. Your engine is also 5W-30 spec which should be A3/B4 too. I don't think you need 50 grade oil.

 

[AnteLo]

I've looked at the official books from when the engine was released.

although the 5w40 has been fine, I've never had good oil pressure and at higher temperatures when I drive fast it's noticeable.

next oil change I plan to use Mobil 1 FS X2 5w50, any thoughts?

 

[rollins.]

Does it have a dash oil gauge? If so, have you checked it agains a mechanic's gauge for correct reading? What does the Service manual specify?
Mobil 1 5w-50 will turn into xw-40 by the middle of normal OCI from what I've seen on UOA's(might be different today) . Despit ethat , you'd still have healthy ht/hs ~4cP. Give it a try.

 

[AnteLo]

I've confirmed it with 2 mehanical gauges and a sensor.

0.8bar at 850rpm idle, 3.7bar at 5000rpm, that's on the lower part of the specification with oil and water at 95C.

This was on 5w40 elf I think, keep in mind the oil temperature goes a bit up when the car is driven aggressively

As I said. I don't want to overthink but I think the engine needs 5w or 10w50 oil

 

[rollins.]

Looks like it's low indeed.
This guy tried Mobil 1 5w-50(with a new oil pump and bearings),but did not help much in his case ,here is why :
https://www.renaultforums.co.uk/thr...i-oil-pressure-at-idle-when-warmed-up.587167/
Is it VVT...was car taken care of by the previous owner?

The pressure with Mobil 1 5w-50 after the engine swap he decided on : "Warm engine oil pressure is ~1.2 bar at 750 rpm and ~3.8bar at 3000 rpm. with Mobil 1 5w-50 in the used replacement engine."

 

[AnteLo]

mine isn't the VVT version, the engine has been rebuilt with proper clearances and is okay

 

[rollins.]

Do you remember the values at lower rpm, 3K and the oil pressure relief valve setting? Might be fine after all,they usually specify ~80C oil temp for the test.
Anyway in that weather you can use 15w-50 too,but I'd try Mobil 1 5w-50 first.