Engine Oil & Water

LEK-89 · 29 Nov 2008 at 12:48

Hi All,

Bit of a noob thread here lol so i appologise, Today iv been doing a bit of maintenance on my Peugeot 205 and i've been looking at the car's engine oil. Using the dipstick levels to check the oil it looks ok but i feel that it needs to be topped up a bit and i have no clue of how to check the engine's water either (yes i know lol!) So i am just basically asking how do i check the car's engine water & if it needs topping up how do i top up the water as well? I know how to top up the oil but i am also asking how much engine oil would i need to top up or what is the recommended ammount to top up? Lastly what engine oil do i need to use as well as i know there are loads of different types. I just thought i would clear this up incase i went and topped up my car's engine oil and use the wrong sort of oil and wreck my engine lol

Thanks all - Liam

Clarkey · 29 Nov 2008 at 12:56

Usually there is about 1 litre between the min and max marks on the dipstick. You'll just have to experiment but don't go putting loads in to start with.
As for the water French cars often have a translucent header tank with markings on.

As for the type of oil, I'd personally only top up with the same type that is already in. If you don't know that then drain and refill.

LEK-89 · 29 Nov 2008 at 13:03

Yeah i can tell the readings on the dipstick, between the high and low levels on the dipstick its reading that its heading slightly towards the low mark, might be best to get it checked out? What about the water as well?

Thanks - Liam

TaKeN · 29 Nov 2008 at 13:07

LEK-89 said:
Yeah i can tell the readings on the dipstick, between the high and low levels on the dipstick its reading that its heading slightly towards the low mark, might be best to get it checked out? What about the water as well?

Thanks - Liam

Water, there will be a header tank with a Metal top on it, make sure the engine is cold otherwise the water will spew out everywhere. There should be a full mark half way up this, fill to there.

As for the Oil, post back with what engine your car has in it and then we can advise.

Personally I'd just top up with the recommended oil, draining it out and refilling is rather unnecessary.

LEK-89 · 29 Nov 2008 at 13:17

Its a 1124cc Petrol engine. Also i forgot to ask can i use normal water to top up or does it have to be special water / liquid?

Liam

TaKeN · 29 Nov 2008 at 13:37

LEK-89 said:
Its a 1124cc Petrol engine. Also i forgot to ask can i use normal water to top up or does it have to be special water / liquid?

Liam

Got any anti freeze? I always tend to top mine up with the correct mix of this.

As for the Oil, some 10w40 should be fine, although I'm not sure which type would be best for your engine (Semi-synth, Fully synth etc)

Barry Smalley · 29 Nov 2008 at 14:07

It's not going to be having fully synthetic, is it? An oil change would cost you more than the car's worth.

Boggo mineral oil is what I'd be putting in.

BigglesPiP · 29 Nov 2008 at 14:58

I thought the french liked to put 2 litres between the marks?

10w40 Seme syntheic will do very nicely, I'd reccommend Mobil Super S, or Selenia 20K. Fill it with the engine warm, and keep an eye on the dipstick reading.
If it's been a while (about 15,000 miles), I'd consider replacing the oil and the filter.

To check the water, you need to look at the header tank or filler neck if you can't see a tank, sort of transparent plastic usually, with min, and max marks. Either look at the water level through the plastic, or take the cap off.