Constant control
If you bought a Renault 19 (new or used), You should check the oil level every time you refuel. If you have determined that the engine is consuming a certain amount of oil, you can extend the check interval to every second or fourth fill. The dipstick for measuring the oil level is located:
- on the 1.4-liter transversely mounted engine in the front next to the ignition distributor;
- for 1.7- and 1.8-liter 16-valve engines between the engine cooling fan and the intake manifold;
- diesel engine in the front, hidden by the upper radiator hose and high pressure fuel pump (injection pump).
Park the machine on level ground:
1. Stop the engine and wait at least 5 minutes for all the oil to drain into the oil pan. It is best to check the oil level on a cold engine before starting it.
2. Pull the dipstick towards you. Be careful as nearby hoses are very hot on a hot engine! Wipe the dipstick with a rag and insert it again up to the stop in the guide tube, wait a little and pull it out. Now you can check the oil level.
3. If the oil level only reaches the lower mark, then it is necessary to add oil to the engine.
4. If the level is between the lower and upper risk, then the amount of oil to be added is about 1.0 l on a 1.4 l engine, about 2.0 l on a 1.7 / 1.8 l engine, and about 2.0 l on a 16-valve engine about 1.3 liters.
5. In this case, it is not necessary to add oil, since its level should not be higher than the upper mark.
Note. If you want to measure the exact oil consumption of your Renault 19, then you should always check the oil level in the same place, preferably before starting the engine for the first time. In this case, you do not need to wipe the dipstick with a rag, since all the oil is in the oil pan. This method is also suitable for vehicles with an oil level indicator.
Topping up oil
Don't worry if the oil turns dark. High quality engine oil will be dark after a short run. This only proves that it works correctly and dissolves the collected dirt. This also does not mean that the oil needs to be changed.
The oil level must not fall below the minimum mark. If the oil level is slightly above the lower mark, your car's engine is not in danger. If the oil level is below the lower risk, the Renault 19 engine can be significantly damaged. The hydraulic valve tappets of a 16-valve engine can be especially affected. In addition, hard acceleration from a standstill and high cornering speeds can cause bearing damage, as the oil pump forces air into the oil pan and therefore the oil pressure drops sharply.
On all dipsticks for measuring oil, the risks indicate the area within which the oil level can change without causing harm to the engine. When the level reaches the bottom mark, it is necessary to add oil, and depending on the type of engine, the amount of oil to be added will vary.
It is not necessary to fill the oil so that its level is at the maximum mark on the dipstick. Excess oil can reach the combustion chamber at high engine speeds. This is dangerous, as the oil will burn in the catalyst, causing it to fail.
At what level of oil to top it up depends on your driving style:
- When driving calmly, it is sufficient if the oil level reaches the lower limit mark.
- For high-speed driving, the amount of oil should be maintained at the level of the lower third between the two risks. More oil will cool the engine better.
Blending oils
Oil grades from different manufacturers can be freely mixed with each other without any concerns. This property - to be mixed with other oils without harmful effects - is the main requirement of international oil standards. Although, of course, the specific properties of one oil, when mixed with another oil, will change, since each brand of oil has an individual set of additives. However, the oil retains its lubricating properties. By adhering to the standards set for Renault 19, you can safely mix oils from different manufacturers without fear of damaging the engine.
Oil consumption
concept «oil consumption» includes only that amount of oil that burns as a result of entering the cylinders, and this concept should not be confused with the concept «oil loss», which occurs when the sealing parts of the engine are leaking.
According to established standards, oil consumption in the amount of 1 liter per 1000 km is considered normal. However, in fact, Renault-19 consumes even less oil, so you need to add a small amount of it. Even a diesel engine requires topping up with a minimum of oil per 1000 km. How much oil your Renault 19 consumes depends on the following circumstances:
- Excess oil causes a high level of consumption, as this excess is squeezed out of the engine.
- Thin oil burns faster than thick oil. A single-component oil becomes liquid when hot, like water, a multi-component oil remains thick.
- Multi-component oil, during long-term operation it is consumed faster.
- During high-speed driving, in addition to increased fuel consumption, there is also a large consumption of oil, especially if a new, untested engine is immediately operated at full power.
- During break-in, the engine needs slightly more oil.
- Leakage of sealing parts of the engine. You can check it according to the recommendations in the chapter «Engines and their inner life», as described in the section «Engine seal leak test».
- Engine malfunctions: worn valve stem seals, increased clearance between the valve guide and valve stem, incorrectly installed piston rings, or damaged cylinder wall by the piston.
Oil thinning
It may seem that your engine does not consume oil at all. This happens most often in winter when you don't drive much. The oil level between measurements does not decrease at all, and possibly even increases. This means that the oil is diluted by fuel or condensate. As a result, engine lubrication deteriorates. Troubleshooting: Make long trips regularly. Thanks to this, the oil warms up well and the condensate evaporates. Immediately after this, check the oil level, as the evaporation of condensate and fuel will cause it to drop. When operating in urban areas, change the oil at shorter intervals, for example, already after 3000 km or 4 months.
In winter, 2-3% of the fuel gets into the oil, and for engines with an injection system, this amount is less, since they dose fuel better when starting a cold engine.