I would think the fact that the oil level was very low (you had to put 1Ltr in to top up) and the engine had not had an oil change for 2 years would be more of a problem than the wrong grade of oil being used.

Agree fully with Cyd and the others, oil been in two plus years and then low to boot.

The slight differences in oil grade would not account for this.

Thanks everyone for your answers, especially Cyd, really helpful. Have to face the fact that I am guilty of taking a very reliable car for granted and being too reliant on the reminders for service and oil top up. Also car went from high milage to short distance town driving in last 3 years which i don't think he likes. Harsh lessons :(

Edited by Sue207 on 28/12/2015 at 00:23

Well, the manager at Halfords thought it sounded like a belt slipping and said did I think I could of spilt some of the oil which may of found its way through to a belt/chain, my regular garage said this was rubbish, however he then said when you start taking the engine apart and replacing parts you can find you still haven't got to the problem and have cost the customer hundreds of pounds and they still need a new engine so they suggested a new or recon engine and were going to phone me back the same day with some prices (two weeks ago now) Am a little annoyed that as they have maintained the vehicle for 2.5 years they have never suggested the service and when I asked earlier this year if it should be done they said it was now where near time but was up to me, and with more pressing bills and the fact that it was running fine I didn't. Anyhow latest mechanic was recommended by a friend and I have only spoken to him on the phone (he's collecting the car tomorrow) And said he will know when he hears it for himself and as you suggest is puzzled that it is still running ok (albeit noisely) he refered to the valve that pumps or fires the oil to the top of the engine and said it can get stuck open sometimes and this can be caused by the wrong oil but he will know for sure when he gets the car. (obviously he described it a bit more technically than me!!) I will discuss with him the oil flushing first but he doesn't seem to think it as serious as my garage suggested. I have gathered over time that this model is known for being sensitive about oil and an ongoing problem seems to be the anti pollution sensor which is also dear to get sorted out. As you can tell I don't have much knowledge about cars!! Thanks

.... As you all thought oil must of been a coincidence as it was a crankshaft diffuser pulley and belt and is now as good as new.

Not all....some of the usual fear-mongering dogma about the sin of not changing oil every year.

Thanks for the update - first I've heard of a 'diffuser pulley' problem. Is this the same problem as the renowned rattly Renault dephaser pulley? I thought Pugs were a cut above Renault in engineering reliability.

Probably one of those 2 part crank pulleys held together with a rubber band in the middle.

The company I worked for made this type of vibration damper by the thousand for most UK car makers; usually they would last the life of the engine. The 'rubber band' was made of in-house manufactured rubber of carefully controlled stiffness for each application.