Thread: $600 for an oil change?

Originally Posted by Trout

I think there's a good chance 15W40 is the right oil for a old tdi 4.2 engine.Its been running smooth as for the last 15yrs on that oil and never given a problem.You sound like a garage looking for work,spin a bit of bull shit to get new clients in to yr work shop,then ripp them off.

I have 2x 44 gall drums of 15W40 dino diesel engine oil sitting in the workshop that also says its the right oil for older diesel engines. Runs everything from the generator, 3 x Nissan Patrols, small tractor, big tractor, dozer, Miller welder.

Back in the days when I owned my own Unimog, I went to do a full service on it, Changing all the oils etc The Castrol dude listed all the oils I needed, including about $1,200 for the gearbox oil!!!! (2005)

I went home and dragged the owners manual out as I was pretty sure I was right...and I was. The entire engine and drive train excepting the diffs and reduction hubs runs on engine oil. Bog standard mono grade diesel engine oil. That dropped the cost of gearbox oil from $1200 to $150.