Discovery 2: V8..Which oil??

[Jack B]

Hi There
I realise much has been said about oils and additives, but a forum search is just too wide to get the direct answer I need. Some advice please:
I have a 2002 Disco 2 V8 which has done 171000 km's, and I intend doing an oil change this weekend.
I've read (but not neccessarily understood) the differences in using a 'traditional' or synthetic oil.
Furthermore, I've also heard that once one has moved from a synthetic oil one cannot revert to synthetics, and that it is not advisable to use synthetic oils in vehicles with "high km's". Prior to my head gasket problem, I used Shell Helix HX7. The engineer who did the heads put in Shell Helix HX5 15W-40. Is this OK? I see it lists API SL/CF, ACEA A2/B2, but this is all "Greek to me".
Please advise.
Regards
Jack

[Crips]

I think you should stick to the Shell Helix HX 15W-40, should be fine and I think it's better to stick to one oil and use that.
I use to use Castrol Magnatec in mine, wich was a semi-synthetic oil, did not add additives.

JM2CW

[Petur]

"traditional" oil has a longer life span as synthetics can "break-down" on a molecular level, but this is not an isue if you do your regular oil changes, I am partial to castrol but any good oil like helix will do the job fine, I never had a motor break because of the "quallity" of the oil even 300 000 + km engines, but I have seen plenty failures due to dirty oil, lack of oil, or oil supply problems from blocked oil channels or faulty oil pump, I also prefer not to mix brands of oil as they contain some additives which might have an undesired chemical reaction, but haven't seen it happen yet.

[Landyluvver]

Shell Helix HX7

[LRwit]

Just google: "zddp cam wear"

The search this forum for "zddp".

Modern common oils DO NOT have what our V8 engines need.

[Gullfaxi]

Good morning Jack B

I changed my Range Rover Classic's oil yesterday and I used Shell's HX7. I must say the motor runs sweet. If you are a bit sceptical I know Shell has HX7K that's formulated for higher mileage engines. I still don't know the ZDDP rating of HX7 as no one person can give me an answer and I have read of people running Morris Minor 1098 A series BMC engines on HX7 without any problems. So I guess the additive package in HX7 is adequate. Hope this helps a wee bit.

[garywinter]

I use Castrol Magnatec. Nobody can tell me if it has that "zddp" stuff in

[Landyluvver]

Originally Posted by garywinter

I use Castrol Magnatec. Nobody can tell me if it has that "zddp" stuff in

these oil companies are not very forthcoming with this info
have mailed both Castrol and Shell and neither have bothered to reply

there have been numerous "discussions" around ZDDP and protection against engine and in particular cam wear.
cannot say that i have seen significant cam wear on numerous engines that i have stripped.
i have seen more wear on some Td5 motors and suspect it to be as a result of poor maintenance
as a rule problems are normally found with excessive stretch of the cam chain on engines of 200k km+
much has been said about PolyTFE and some people have developed blood pressure problems as a result but there is definitely merit in the protection it will offer.

[Jack B]

Thanks for all the replies. ITO the composition of the different oil brands it's still unclear, but the oil change is due. I am going to go with Shell Helix HX7.