What oil do you use?
- subalex
- Junior Member
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Kellyville Ridge, Sydney
Interesting read all this is.
I've been using Shell Helix (normal type for around $18/5litres) in my L-series EA-82 for the last 40,000 and enjoyed a quiet engine. Then I changed brand to the Castrol GTXII about 7000k ago and it's been on and off with the noises. Next change I'm going back to the Helix. I tried Helix designed for old motors and it was just too thick and made it sluggish. Mine's on 318,000k's now.
As for the gearbox and rear diff - I've been going with the Valvoline Duragear and relatively happy so far. I'd still like the change from 5th to 4th to be smoother though so I'm interested in opinions here too.
I've been using Shell Helix (normal type for around $18/5litres) in my L-series EA-82 for the last 40,000 and enjoyed a quiet engine. Then I changed brand to the Castrol GTXII about 7000k ago and it's been on and off with the noises. Next change I'm going back to the Helix. I tried Helix designed for old motors and it was just too thick and made it sluggish. Mine's on 318,000k's now.
As for the gearbox and rear diff - I've been going with the Valvoline Duragear and relatively happy so far. I'd still like the change from 5th to 4th to be smoother though so I'm interested in opinions here too.
'91 Sportswagon - 3" lifted, 14" speedys, 27" Nankangs + lots of small details improved. Wouldn't mind some extra grunt from an EJ.
well last service i used penrite 10 (10w-50) and now ive just put in penrite 30 (20w-60) which has a little more tappet noise than the previous and it lasts for longer before it goes away (due to being a thicker oil).
and ive just heard that the "lifter free" additive is bad for subaru's as it destroys some little rubber seat. but yeh i dont like lifter noise.
for diff i use recommended valvoline 85w90. and for g/box i will use recommended castrol multitrax.
and ive just heard that the "lifter free" additive is bad for subaru's as it destroys some little rubber seat. but yeh i dont like lifter noise.
for diff i use recommended valvoline 85w90. and for g/box i will use recommended castrol multitrax.

well ive only changed my oil once and i used the Repco Modern Engine oil which is a 15W/40 but i cant comment on any lifter noise lol as EA81 dont have lifters if im right (or it doesnt have any tick i dunno)
the gearbox i just put in a Titan 75W/90 Gear Oil that we use at work in the cars which im probably gonna use for the Diff as ive heard that they both take a 80W/90 (according to this program at work from company called Fuchs) so its close enough for me
the gearbox i just put in a Titan 75W/90 Gear Oil that we use at work in the cars which im probably gonna use for the Diff as ive heard that they both take a 80W/90 (according to this program at work from company called Fuchs) so its close enough for me
Wagon is no longer....

The Subaru Wacky Workshop -All About the WA Boys

have you tried replacing the seals on the oil pump?Subafury wrote:i tried to shut up my lifters by using some of that additive stuff. didnt make f/a difference. waste of money. im still having some lifter tick even when car is warm, so im gonna try a 15w-40 or similar at the next change.
timmo
L series wagon EA82T (RIP)
'92 Liberty RS Turbo
GU Patrol Ute
Honda XR400R
'92 Liberty RS Turbo
GU Patrol Ute
Honda XR400R
Lifter free is not gonna be an easy fix all the time for noisy tappets
it usually only works when theyre clogged and can sometimes clean em out
when theyre old and failing etc it cant work coz it cant exactly rejuvanate them back to brand new.
neway as for my oil in the EJ engine
im using Fuchs GT Plus 20w50. thinking next time ill put in the Performance plus 15w40 though.
it usually only works when theyre clogged and can sometimes clean em out
when theyre old and failing etc it cant work coz it cant exactly rejuvanate them back to brand new.
neway as for my oil in the EJ engine
im using Fuchs GT Plus 20w50. thinking next time ill put in the Performance plus 15w40 though.
Wagon is no longer....

The Subaru Wacky Workshop -All About the WA Boys

- El_Freddo
- Master Member
- Posts: 12628
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bridgewater Vic
- Contact:
My lifter tick goes once the oil seems to be up to a certain temp. After driving for half an hour off road its gone and won't come back as long as the engine doesn't go cold. The other way i tried as an experiment the other day was to drive home in third, about 10mins at 3000 rpm... It worked, so i'm guessing that its the oil temp that is the player here.
My oil seals were replaced on the oil pump during the rebuild, along with the rotors - you can here the other lifters fill up immediately on start up.
Fun and games when you have dodgy lifters.
Bennie
My oil seals were replaced on the oil pump during the rebuild, along with the rotors - you can here the other lifters fill up immediately on start up.
Fun and games when you have dodgy lifters.
Bennie
HPR5 is 5w/40
HPR40 is 25w/70
i once put hpr50 in the wagon but found it to be wayy to thick. actually a noticable power loss.
alex
HPR40 is 25w/70
i once put hpr50 in the wagon but found it to be wayy to thick. actually a noticable power loss.
alex
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
- AlpineRaven
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3682
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Since my Liberty was new - it always had/used Castrol Magnetic, but thinking about changing to different oil but don't know what I will use... EJ22 Liberty at 257,000kms.
Cheers
AP
Cheers
AP
Subarus that I have/had:
1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic

1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic

oil
As a newby, What i say dont mean much. I use castrol GTX2 and a additive called MOREYS . I have found it to aid in the life of the engine. I have pulled an engine apart which had a bugged oil filter on it ( did not filter , filter element crushed to one side so oil went round filter element) and there was not a mark on any part of an engine componant. eg: bore, crank, bearings etc .
rtcb65
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Redneck Rick.
1997 Gen 3 outback. GT forester wheels . Hopefully more changes to come. Proud Supporter And User of -----------C R O S S B R E D --- P E R F O R M A N C E ---- Products
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Redneck Rick.
1997 Gen 3 outback. GT forester wheels . Hopefully more changes to come. Proud Supporter And User of -----------C R O S S B R E D --- P E R F O R M A N C E ---- Products
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- The Bigfella
- Junior Member
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:49 pm
- Location: Dooral Dooral, Eastern Oz
The whole thought of additives gives me the heebie jeebies. An oil manufacturer cooks a brew up - then you decide to stick some sauce in to make it better? Good luck.
I run a BMW E34 M5 (among other vehicles) and two of us blew cars up at Winton last year - one had put additives in his oil and the general consensus when they pulled it down was an oil-failure ..... $15,000 later.... (mine was a bodgy head gasket repair by a supposed BMW-trained mechanic).
I run a BMW E34 M5 (among other vehicles) and two of us blew cars up at Winton last year - one had put additives in his oil and the general consensus when they pulled it down was an oil-failure ..... $15,000 later.... (mine was a bodgy head gasket repair by a supposed BMW-trained mechanic).
So you are saying that you dont use inhibitor in ya radiator , or another way to look at it using your way, dont you use salt or pepper.
rtcb65
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Redneck Rick.
1997 Gen 3 outback. GT forester wheels . Hopefully more changes to come. Proud Supporter And User of -----------C R O S S B R E D --- P E R F O R M A N C E ---- Products
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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Redneck Rick.
1997 Gen 3 outback. GT forester wheels . Hopefully more changes to come. Proud Supporter And User of -----------C R O S S B R E D --- P E R F O R M A N C E ---- Products
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Hi there group
In relation to the oil to use on the EA82, it will depend on climate you can usually get away with 20w40/50. But the ea 82 has a few problems the O rings and seals in the oil pump go hard so they need to be replaced as this can be where air gets sucked in, and airates the oil, the other is an O ring between the rockerbox and head.-2 If you are going to replace them you may as well replace timing belts too.
any other queries let us know
In relation to the oil to use on the EA82, it will depend on climate you can usually get away with 20w40/50. But the ea 82 has a few problems the O rings and seals in the oil pump go hard so they need to be replaced as this can be where air gets sucked in, and airates the oil, the other is an O ring between the rockerbox and head.-2 If you are going to replace them you may as well replace timing belts too.
any other queries let us know