20 replies to this topic

[TimmyG]

Millers do a 20w50 oil especially for the mini etc which has the necessary EP protection and meets the GL4 spec. I'm going to try this next time i change the oil.

[Cooperman]

Have heard good things about that Miller's Oil. Always use Valvoline Racing 20w50 in my rally Minis and either Castrol Classic 20w50 or Halfords 20w50 in other Minis.
One thing I never do is use a synthetic or semi-synthetic in a Mini gearbox.

[Sprocket]

Millers CTV is used on the most powerful A series engines in the world, and had good returned results form oil analysis. That shound say it all!!

That said, Millers CTV is not cheap, but then, Millers classic is better suited to the run about and priced favourably.

[Sprocket]

One thing I never do is use a synthetic or semi-synthetic in a Mini gearbox.

I am suprised you dont even consider the benefits of semi synthetic, it is still mineral oil underneath the name, as is 'synthetic' its just the quantity of refinement after all that really gives oil its 'type'

There is nothing wrong with running synthetic oil in Mini engines as long as it is the correct type, and that is the tricky bit. Finding a full synthetic that suites both engine and synchro gearbox. Look to motor cycle oils for that

[Cooperman]

Maybe I'm biased, but for years and years I used Kendall 20w50 in my rally Minis with great results. Then I was given some Shell Gemini synthetic to try. I did one event and lost oil pressure, the syncros went and it cost me over £1450 to rebuild the engine and gearbox. That was back in 1990, and I've not used anything but a top-quality 20w50 mineral since. It's hard to find Kendall oils in Europe now, so I always use Valvoline Racing 20w50 and have won 5 out of the last 31 rallies I've done in my Cooper 'S'. Engine wear has been fine, the oil pressure holds up very well under ultimate abuse and gear wear is also good.
Of course I've had my share of transmission failure, but none were oil related, more Mini design faults which all rally cars get, none caused by the oil.

[Sprocket]

Maybe I'm biased, but for years and years I used Kendall 20w50 in my rally Minis with great results. Then I was given some Shell Gemini synthetic to try. I did one event and lost oil pressure, the syncros went and it cost me over £1450 to rebuild the engine and gearbox. That was back in 1990, and I've not used anything but a top-quality 20w50 mineral since. It's hard to find Kendall oils in Europe now, so I always use Valvoline Racing 20w50 and have won 5 out of the last 31 rallies I've done in my Cooper 'S'. Engine wear has been fine, the oil pressure holds up very well under ultimate abuse and gear wear is also good.
Of course I've had my share of transmission failure, but none were oil related, more Mini design faults which all rally cars get, none caused by the oil.

That is fair enough, you have been bitten and I understand why you don't want to go back, but that was 1990, and oils have changed considerably. I would suggest you try Millers CTV which is a semi synthetic specificaly designed for the in sump transmission engines with all the correct addatives, for the most demanding conditions.