Correct oil and coolant for vy calais?

[redlion05]

Hi everyone,

I'm servicing my car soon and wondering if 15w-40 castrol modern engine and A grade coolant is suitable for my VY calais 3.8l engine. Im currently running the castrol modern engine 10w-30 but i find the oil to burn quickly since i drive alot of freeway kms.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Sean880]

1. OILS

You will get a dozen and one different views from people here on oils but the GM engine oil stipulation for the VY 3.8 engine is :

10w- 30 (SJ or SL , ILSAC GF2/GF3)
or if this is not available
20w-50 or 15 w - 40 (SH , SJ or SL spec)

I use Shell Helix 10w-30 and find very little change in oil levels between oil changes. Oil consumption is very, very minimal. ( However, the engine oil is changed every 4000 km and the engine is in good nick).

Oil consumption is primarily a function of engine condition. If your piston rings are worn you will consume more oil ( not because you run a lot of freeway miles). If owners leave oil changes to the lengthy km intervals in the SERVICE BOOK they will inevitably accelerate engine wear.

If you are using too much oil perhaps you should also check that there are no significant "EXTERNAL" oil leaks that require attention.

2. Coolant

For the VY V6 use CASTROL ANTI FREEZE 350 concentrate ( as this conforms with the GM required HN 2043 specification for the VY V6 coolant). The concentrate is to be mixed 50/50 with distilled water. (If you are changing the coolant in the system go to Holden and buy the coolant pellets. These are crushed and added to the coolant when you refill the system). (Never use any coolant in the VY V6 that does not meet Holden spec HN 2043).

[jr689]

I read on a recent thread that those pellets have been discontinued by holden cause they are rubbish, can anyone confirm this?

[oztech007]

The Pellets only purpose is to circulate the cooling system and if any small leaks arise, the material will repair the leak (Like a radiator stop leak). Holden usually put these in the system for warranty purposes (So they hopefully dont have to do any coolant related repairs under warranty).

[chargedvx6]

Any green coolant will be fine, just use demineralised water with it. HPR10 oil is the go and don't forget that the VY has a larger capacity sump so 5.8- 6L is the go

[uteaddict]

Any green coolant will be fine, just use demineralised water with it. HPR10 oil is the go and don't forget that the VY has a larger capacity sump so 5.8- 6L is the go

There are 2 types of green coolants, make sure it says anti-freeze/anti-boil on it or Type A. If its cheap as s*** it won't be the right one. As for oil Penrite HPR10, Castrol Magnatec, Nulon 10w-30 (this is what i use, very smooth oil and good quality. Aussie oil as well) Nullon make a 6L bottle of 10w-30 as well which is handy for commo's

[rx2_freak]

Try using a synthetic oil. i have used royal purple 10w40 in my vy v6 for years, no problems what so ever. here is a link to buy it Royal Purple Pricelist

[redlion05]

Thanks heaps guys for you positive comments. I've tried Castrol Modern Engine 15w-40 and i havent changed the coolant yet as it doesnt look off coloured yet

[SavVYute]

The Pellets only purpose is to circulate the cooling system and if any small leaks arise, the material will repair the leak (Like a radiator stop leak). Holden usually put these in the system for warranty purposes (So they hopefully dont have to do any coolant related repairs under warranty).

The stuff is just an organic material. Ground up walnut shell or ginger root. It works because it shrinks when wet and expands when dry. It will "clot" in a leak area and then expand on the "dry" side to seal the leak. That is why it wont clog heater cores. There is no air on the backside of the orifice for the material to expand.

Works the same as the old 'used car salesman' trick of using black pepper to fill pinhole radiator leaks...