12 replies to this topic

[Neil7744]

Hi,

I have a 1992 K reg 1275cc carb model.

It uses 10w 40 oil.

What is the best oil to use? Is 10w 40 ok, or are there better oils?

Also what oil manufacturers are the best?

Ive just put the engine in, and now its time to start plumbing and wiring everything up, so just wanted a 'heads up' on what to use for lubrication!

Help appreciated

[dazer_1985]

hi there i have a 1380 mayfair on a J plate and i use comma classic 20/50 oil which has a cool green colour or if i can get that i use halfords classic 20/50 which is the same

[BoboGib]

Don't want to sound like I'm having a go, but this subject has come up about twice a week for the last 3 months. Please use the search function, and try several permutations as the search isn't always the best.

Which oil depends on what conditions the car is being used in. If you have been using 10w40 and its been fine then no reason to change. The only thing people do say is use a mineral oil rather than synth/semi synth.

[bmcecosse]

Indeed it has been done to death - ASDA 20W50 is fine. Certainly as good as Comma!!

[radgator1]

Indeed it has been done to death - ASDA 20W50 is fine. Certainly as good as Comma!!

It's darn hot here in Cali in the summer (95 plus) and I'll be driving a high reving 1380 through mountain twisties. Would you still go with 20W50? Also anyone have a favorite brand you buy off the shelf in the US?

[valve bounce]

20-50w minral all the way i wouldnt use anything else, 10-40 is fine for the engine but for the gearbox it is useless, halfords, comma, supermarket any brand will do

[valve bounce]

double post because im an idiot

Edited by valve bounce, 09 May 2010 - 07:16 PM.

[Scallywag630]

Factory used 20w/50 mineral oil.

[cambiker71]

Most of the major oil companies recommend 10w40 or 15w40, I have used a good quality 15w40 in every mini i have ever owned with no problems with either gearbox or excessive oil consumtion, older engine will be better with a good quality 20w50 personally i wouldn't use asda or comma oil to keep a fire going let alone put it in my engine as they are both cheap rubbish and low quality, Millers 20w50 has very good reviews everywhere and yes it costs more but how much is your engine worth to you?
As a side thought i've been reading about putting 10w40 motorcycle oil into minis as most have the gearbox and engine oil shared in a similar way, not tried it as yet but i can't see it being a problem as bike oil is usually made to a very high spec. The only problem i can see here is likely to be the price.

[Neil7744]

Hi,

Thanks for your help.

Il have a look around. I will stick with 10/40.

As for the search engine...point taken. Usually when i have searched for things in the past, the results havent been very good!

[Cooperman]

Indeed it has been done to death - ASDA 20W50 is fine. Certainly as good as Comma!!

It's darn hot here in Cali in the summer (95 plus) and I'll be driving a high reving 1380 through mountain twisties. Would you still go with 20W50? Also anyone have a favorite brand you buy off the shelf in the US?

The best oil in the USA is Kendall 20/50.It's made from Pennsylvania crude as opposed to Saudi crude and it's what I always used for competition here in the UK before they stopped importing it a while back. Valvoline Racing 20/50 is also a great oil and it's what i use now.
Incidentally, there is a rumour that the old BMC Competitions dep't used Kendall in the works Minis, but that it was put into Castrol cans. Can anyone confirm this, I wonder?
My good friend who has a 1071 'S' in California uses Kendall.

[Cooperman]

Hi,

Thanks for your help.

Il have a look around. I will stick with 10/40.

As for the search engine...point taken. Usually when i have searched for things in the past, the results havent been very good!

You really should use a 20w50 in a Mini due to the gearbox needing an EP80 gear oil, and the 20w50 is the best compromise for the combined engine/gearbox oil.
Always make sure that you use a mineral based oil, as the geabox really doesn't like thin synthetic 'weasel p***'.

[radgator1]

Indeed it has been done to death - ASDA 20W50 is fine. Certainly as good as Comma!!

It's darn hot here in Cali in the summer (95 plus) and I'll be driving a high reving 1380 through mountain twisties. Would you still go with 20W50? Also anyone have a favorite brand you buy off the shelf in the US?

The best oil in the USA is Kendall 20/50.It's made from Pennsylvania crude as opposed to Saudi crude and it's what I always used for competition here in the UK before they stopped importing it a while back. Valvoline Racing 20/50 is also a great oil and it's what i use now.
Incidentally, there is a rumour that the old BMC Competitions dep't used Kendall in the works Minis, but that it was put into Castrol cans. Can anyone confirm this, I wonder?
My good friend who has a 1071 'S' in California uses Kendall.

Thanks, I'll probably go with the Valvoline Racing VR1 20w50 since it will be easier to find than the Kendall and maybe a little less expensive (but still pretty expensive at like 5USD a quart). It looks like it has a higher zinc content which is supposed to be important in metal to metal contact and that sounds like what is going on in the gearbox all the time to me??