Thin or thick - 118TSI rebuild

[Ranger]

Hi all

OK last year I got a new short block put in (graciously and lovingly by VW under goodwill…..) in my 2011 118TSI CAVD. The poor thing only did 61000 km before pistol cracked. So I’ve got about 5k on it now and gonna do an oil/filter.Do you think I should keep to a slightly higher grade, ie 10W-40 for a while more before dropping back to 5W-30, or you think it won’t matter?

Also has anyone used Shell Helix Ultra? Am happy to go with Castrol but always like to check out other stuff.

Cheers

[Lucas_R]

If its not burning any oil now then i would suggest just using the recommended 5w-30 grade. But if its already used some oil since the rebuild then i would suggest a slightly thicker 5w-40.

My old Mk6 GTI used to burn a little bit of oil when using 5w-30, so i changed to 5w-40 (Penrite Enviro+) which certainly reduced it quite a bit (but it still burnt a few hundred ml every 3000-4000km).

Regarding the Shell Helix Ultra Extra (wow what a name!!) i have seen it on the shelves but have never used it. Personally i use Penrite Enviro+.

[brad]

I'd run VW504/507 5w-0 unless you are doing happy laps at the track. 10w-40 isn't actually a "higher grade" it's just a fraction thicker at the measurement points.

Have used Shell HUE a few times and nothing amazing or terrible happened but that applies to the Valvoline, Castrol and several other brands I've used.