I have been told that a full synthetic oil will not burn in a diesel engine and would thus stop the black smoke. Any comments. What type of oil should I use in my 2.0 TD townace?

- (#9541) Robin, 13 Jul 03 17:11

The black smoke isn't oil burning in a normally running diesel engine, it is unburnt fuel.

Every engine puts out unburnt fuel when the accelerator is pressed ahrd, because the engine can not instantly increase it's speed to use it all - even petrol engines do this.
The difference is that unburnt diesel fuel comes out as black smoke, unburnt petrol comes out as almost clear, so you can't see it.

Especially with a small turbo diesel engine you always have some smoke on taking off from the lights etc, or hard acceleration - part of the deal.
The trick is to make sure it is well serviced - that will keep smoke to a minimum, but even a perfect motor will blow smoke if you really get stuck in with the right foot.

Synthetic oils or non-synthetic? There is much opinion.
I use a semi-synthetic light diesel oil.
The real point is don't skimp on it. Get the best you can reasonably afford.

Dave

- (#9542) DaveW, 14 Jul 03 3:51