19 replies to this topic

[designermatt]

 

As per title , Im looking for the cheapest 20w50 mineral oil, reason being I have just installed a second hand engine and want to run it for a 100 miles or so on some cheap oil to help clear out all the crap , then after put some good quality millers in or such.

 

Does anyone know whos selling the cheapest at the minute, I am sure wilkinsons did 5 litres for a £10 last time I was there.

 

 

Thats what my local mechanic does with all his cars when he 1st gets them .. drop the oil for some cheaper stuff, runs it for a few miles then swaps it out for better stuff with a filter change.

 

This youtube video is an interesting take on flushing ... I dont think I'd buy a car off him.  

 

 The video you posted isnt showing

[Cooperman]

That is certainly not something to be recommended!

 

I once helped a friend with a Mercedes which had not had an oil change for over 25000 miles (don't ask why). When we drained it the oil was like treacle. Once it had been left to drain for about an hour I put a gallon of paraffin oil in, left it for another hour, then drained it off (didn't start the engine!!!). The paraffin was filthy, but it cleaned out the sump.

We re-filled it with good quality 5w40 oil, fitted a new filter and ran it and it was fine. Did a further change of oil & filter after another 3000 miles.

[tiger99]

One thing about most Merc engines is that they do last rather a long time, often beyond the useful life of the car itself. I wonder how many miles that one lost off its useful life as a result of the over-extended oil change interval?

 

But you could not have done much more for it, except a full stripdown, inspection and at least bearing shell replacement, which on a Merc would not be cheap.

 

It seems that if this forum is typical, there are a lot of Minis which have seen horrendous and often unknown abuse in the hands of previous owners. At least, if doing our best to flush the crud out and replace with good oil fails, the replacement parts to fix it are not quite so expensive, in many cases, rare or high performance engines excepted. But it can so easily become a full engine and gearbox rebuild, which is not a negligible cost. Best to take great care with service intervals, and use top quality oil.

 

But I am sad to say that the same "buy cheap" mindset prevails as it does with wheel bearings and other parts....

[DomCr250]

That is certainly not something to be recommended!

 

I once helped a friend with a Mercedes which had not had an oil change for over 25000 miles (don't ask why). When we drained it the oil was like treacle. Once it had been left to drain for about an hour I put a gallon of paraffin oil in, left it for another hour, then drained it off (didn't start the engine!!!). The paraffin was filthy, but it cleaned out the sump.

We re-filled it with good quality 5w40 oil, fitted a new filter and ran it and it was fine. Did a further change of oil & filter after another 3000 miles.

I've done that a few times before whipping engines out for a rebuild - drain the oil, pull the plugs, fill with a few litres of kerosene and crank it over a for a few mins - it makes for a much nicer workspace when pulling it apart on the bench. 

[MIGLIACARS]

Due to my engine spec i have to use.
Valvoline vr1 20w50 mineral racing oil £45 per 5 litres
Very good stuff indeed,smells lovely,really lubricating, in my opinion very good oil.

I used to use this in my racer, agreed good stuff, no probs but ive now changed for another oil and so far so good..