multiair actuator unit.

[jasonsco]

hi im new to this forum i own a 2010 alfa mito qv 170 bhp and my multiair unit has failed.i am wonderring if any forum members have or know where i can purchase another unit in australia or a reputible supplier offshore.

[bazzbazz]

Little more information please, WHICH particular actuator are you referring to?   

Baz

[Colin Edwards]

Further to the "correct" specification oil for the 125kW Multiair engine, the owners manual says Selenia Abarth 5W-40 (product code 1390), one dealer uses Selenia K P.E Multiair (product code 1411) another dealer uses Selenia Abarth 10W-50 (product code 1313)! 

Just curious as to what oil others have been "reccomended" to use in this engine by a dealers service department / spare parts department?

[Craig_m67]

I'd check with a reputable indie (like Bazz) to see if you really need one.... if so, here >> https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=13831&sku=253886

You can probably use the AlfaOwner 10% discount code
Delivery is usually 3-4 days ex UK (to Brisbane)
Send them your VIN and they can confirm fitment with ePer
I use these guys pretty much exclusively for my late model Alfa's
If it's not listed and you have an OE part number they will get it from Alfa

No association with the vendor, have used them since 2007

[Colin Edwards]

Hi Craig,

Dont need an actuator!!  Just some feedback on what Selenia oil others have been advised to use or are using in their 1.4 Multair.

Sorry for the confusion.

[bazzbazz]

Ok, the reason there is so much confusion here on this issue is that the oil spec has changed since the Multiair unit was released.

If you look at early Giulietta Owners Manuals (2011) they gave just two oil specs, one for all Petrol engines (1.4T/1.4MA Turbo/1.75TBi) & one for Diesels

All Petrol engines were - SAE 5W-40 ACEA C3 /API SN grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA StAR P.E.

All Diesels engines were - SAE 5W-30 grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA WR P.E.



In current Owners Manuals (2018) the specs have changed. The oils are as follows-

1.4T - SAE 5W-40 ACEA C3 /API SN grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA StAR P.E.

1.4MA - SAE 0W30 ACEA C2 /API SN grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA DIGITEK P.E.

1.75TBi - SAE 5W-40 ACEA C3 /API SN grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA SPORT POWER

Diesels - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2 /API SN grade totally synthetic lubricant - SELENIA WR FORWARD

Many places have not realized the update and are using what they have always used, some have caught on, thus the confusion.
Just one point, you DO NOT have to use only SELENIA OIL, but you do have to use the CORRECT oil, whether it be Penrite, Selenia or what ever.

As for why the changes, the MA units have very fine, high pressure oil galleries that operate the inlet valves, blockages in these are what usually cause MA Unit failures. The oil spec change was most likely done to help prevent this.

As for the diesels, the change was likely due to lower ash oils coming onto the market and changing to these result in less problems with clogged up engines with EGR Valves & DPF Filters.

I hope this helps you in some way to understand whats what with the oils.

As the old add used to say - "Oils ain't Oils Sol!" 

[bazzbazz]

Further to the "correct" specification oil for the 125kW Multiair engine, the owners manual says Selenia Abarth 5W-40 (product code 1390), one dealer uses Selenia K P.E Multiair (product code 1411) another dealer uses Selenia Abarth 10W-50 (prodict code 1313)! 

Both the Selenia Abarth 5W-40 & Selenia K P.E Multiair 5W-40 are the original spec, using the Selenia Abarth 10W-50 will completely FUBAR a MultiAir Unit !!!    (That's just my personal opinion for what it's worth.)

[bazzbazz]

Just one last thing, though the engines are the same (they are already built and stuck under the hood of the car), oil technology marches on and improves, and manufacturers will recommend the most up to date oils & products.

It's not that the older spec oils are no good for the engine, there are just now newer and better options now available that weren't in existence at the time your engine was built several/many years ago.

Just remember the 2.0 Twinspark in 156s were originally spec'd with 10w40, when the exact same engine was put in the 147 it was changed to 10w60, because it was a better oil for that engine, the engine didn't change, oil technology did.

[Colin Edwards]

FCA confirm Selenia K P.E Multiair 5W40 is the recomended oil for the 1.4 Multiair.  Seems its the latest (late 2016) spec oil and complies with Fiat 9.55535-S2.  Viscosity Index is 175 - earlier oils 170.

[bazzbazz]

Did they perchance mention why they suggest that rather than what the latest owners manual (2018) specifys - 0W-30 SELENIA DIGITEK P.E. ?

Was it because of the hi sulfur content of Australian fuels like we discussed earlier?

[Colin Edwards]

Hi Bazzbazz,
What car's owner's manual recommends Selenia Digitek 0W-30?  I could only find 0W-40 on the Selenia site.  Our 2017 build Abarth 124 owner's manual specifies 5W-40. 

Maybe FCA want a car to be as efficient as possible and now specify a less viscous lubricant?  All in the name of reducing emissions.  As long as this "more efficient"(?) lubricant has a relatively low volatility, and is not eaten by the engine, emissions "should" be lowish.

I suppose some consumers will be economy conscious while others (like me!) will be engine wear / long term reliability conscious.  Us Alfa owners have a habit of hanging on to cars for a long time!  I'd rather use an oil in my engine (especially a turbo or DI or both!) that protects it rather than reduces fuel consumption by at best 2%.  All thing being equal, from a purely engine protection perspective, an ACEA C3 oil (as specified in my owner's manual) will perform better than an ACEA C2 rated oil.

When it comes to new cars, any manufacturer will only be concerned with engine wear limitation during the warranty period.  However, they know full well the likelyhood of a claim due to excessive wear DURING the warranty period will be relatively unlikely.  Hence the shift to more efficient but less protective lubricants?
 
Manufacturers are VERY sensitive about emissions at the minute.  Just ask VW, Audi and now Mercedes!  At least FCA were brave enough to announce an end to diesel engines in their passenger cars! 

Colin

[bazzbazz]

The latest 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulietta owners manual specifies 0w-30 for the 1.4MA. (Same motor in your Arbarth)

Earlier manuals for the Giulietta 1.4MA specified 5w-40, as explained earlier above.

These are the manuals downloaded directly from the european Alfa support site. Maybe someone hasn't told FCA australia about the change, or it could have something to do with the different quality of fuels we have here in Oz, as we have discussed in PM.

I use the correct Penrite 5w-40 myself, and to those wishing to do your own oil change, be aware, Penrite has 3 different 5w-40 concoctions so make sure you hse the right one for the 1.4MA or you WILL brick the MA unit! 


Just as long as you got the 10w-50 out of the Abarth engine is what matters most.

[bazzbazz]

From the manual -

[Colin Edwards]

The first specification reads as "1.4 Turbo Petrol Versions" - requiring 5W-40
The second specification reads as "1.4 Turbo Petrol MultiAir Versions"- requiring 0W-30

Is the Guilietta 1.4 available in MultiAir and non-MultiAir?  Curious. 

Unless there has been a very recent re-design of the MultiAir widget, it would seem it's not sensitive to lower viscosity oils!  Or is it?

Anyone out there with an Abarth 1.4 MultiAir and the Owners Manual specifying something other than 5W-40?

As a car manufacturers range of vehicles need to provide certain emission performance, I wonder where an Abarth sits.  Is it a Fiat or an Abarth?  Is an Alfa an Alfa or a Fiat?  Maybe because "Fiats" (including Abarth) have small engines / low emissions, Abarth is "allowed" to specify a less efficient / higher fuel consumption oil spec.  All very mysterious!

[Craig_m67]

Yes, the Guilietta was(is?) is available with and without multiair on the 1.4