Oil low

[Annabella]

Hi everyone,

I got a warning light "oil low" on my alfa romeo 156 today. Any idea where i can purchase the oil i need? I live in the northern suburbs melbourne. Is it bad to drive around with low oil? Should i change it all or just top up? It is due for a service. Will i need to grt someone to remove the warning aswell?

Appreciate your help.

[Mick A]

Hi Annabella,

You can buy oil at any auto parts supplier such as Repco or Bursons or even an Autobarn or Supercheap Auto.
Any quality synthetic oil will do with the weight specification of 10w/60. An example would be Penrite Premium 10.

Yes it is very bad to drive around with no oil. Especially since you have had a warning light, if you lose oil pressure you will destroy the engine and need to replace it.

I am a fully qualified mechanic who specialises and works on Alfa's every day, and I am giving you correct advice here when I say do not drive the car until you have topped up the oil in the engine.

Also remember it is very important you don't overfill it. There is a dipstick at the front of the engine with markings for minimum and maximum oil level, this must be checked with the engine off and preferably if it has been off for a few minutes so that gravity can take the oil that is still in the head of the engine back down to the sump. You need to have the oil level anywhere between these two markings, but preferably at maximum.

I suggest buy a 5 litre container of oil and a funnel so you don't spill oil when trying to fill it. If you spill the oil it will run into and around the spark plugs and cause ignition problems for the coil packs which fire the spark plugs.

The oil warning light will go away itself when you have oil in the engine and oil pressure. If you have already heard some knocking noises from your engine whilst driving the car, it is too late and the engine is already damaged.

I hope this has been helpful.

Mick

[Neil Choi]

Supercheap has Castrol Edge Synthetic 10w60 for $65 at the moment.  Funnel is $2.
Check oil level weekly too.
Remember the days when you check oil when filling fuel at the servo.
It would appear your 156 is consuming oil as they do so keep watch.

[Annabella]

Hi guys. Thanks for the advice.

I have called all around melbourne and evrrywhere is closed. I need to top up the oil as it is low but everyone is recommending i use the same brand as is in the car.

Does anyone know anywhere that would stock the orignial selenia oil on weeknds?

Thanks guys

[Neil Choi]

To ease your pain, you can use Castrol or Penrite, as long as it is synthetic 10w60.
Any oil is better than no oil.
Maybe not olive.

[Annabella]

If the car has a selena brand in it, is it spart to mix oils when topping up if i buy a castrol brand?

[Neil Choi]

Yes.
I doubt it has Selenia in it, a skeptical guess.  I doubt AR dealers use Selenia.  All Alfa specialists have their own favourites such as Penrite, Martini Racing, Castrol or Mobile etc. 

[colcol]

It is not a good idea to mix different brands of oil, but the wrong oil is not as bad as no oil, don't drive the 156 until you have topped it up and on monday get a 1 litre container to put in the boot for the future.
Supercheap sell a brand of oil called 'chief' and it comes from Holland and the 1 litre containers fit nicely in the 156 spare wheel well.
Is your 156 a twin spark or JTS?, Colin.

[Annabella]

Twin spark 04. Supercheap are recommendig i buy the castrol 10w60 on special for 65. I also found an oil filter at repco thommo for 15.00. Should this be ok?

[Mick A]

Twinsparks generally don't chew through oil. I think you need to get it to a mechanic once you've topped up the oil. There may be an underlying issue here causing the oil consumption.
Taking it to Your mechanic is your best course of action here.

[Neil Choi]

Didn't know there was a TS in 04.  If you get the filter and change it you will need the removal tool and  jack up car and take off under tray.     Just top up and wait until next service.

[Annabella]

Sorry its a jts sillyspeed. Dad just checked oil and their isnt even a drop! Car has done 90ks and was ladt serviced at 80ks. Is it difficult to change the oil? Ended up buying thr castrol 10w-60.

Thanks guys )))

[Mick A]

Ok it's a JTS. That explains things. They do use a lot of oil.

An oil change isn't difficult you'll just need to remove the undertay for access to the sump plug and oil filter.

If you or your father aren't mechanically minded I wouldn't suggest doing the job without supervision by someone with basic knowledge.

Mick.

[Annabella]

Thanks so much mick and everyone.

My uncle is a mechanic and will do it tomorrow. Appreciate your help as always

[Cool Jesus]

Another little tip that I couldn't see mentioned. The minimum and maximum markings on the dipstick is a difference of 1 litre of oil.