18 replies to this topic

[i_am_neg]

Hi everyone,

Ive got an oil leak and need to top up as the level on the dipstick is at minimum.

Can anyone tell me what type of oil i need for my 1982 998 austin mini please?

Cheers...

[Big_Adam]

20/50.

Been covered loads, I think someone even bought it up this week. I use mineral oil, choice is up to you.

Also you need about 5liters total from empty to full on an engine. Might be worth changing yours.

Edited by Big_Adam, 20 September 2012 - 12:38 PM.

[jb93]

Definitely not olive oil

[jime17]

Is it an automatic? Mra minis amongst others say that 20w50 isn't good for the clutch plates on an auto and that 10w40 is the way to go.

[freshairmini]

The search function still works, this topic has been covered millions of times...

http://www.theminifo...a-998cc-engine/
http://www.theminifo...43-oil-for-998/
http://www.theminifo...-oil-do-i-need/
http://www.theminifo...orry-which-oil/

[jime17]

Trouble is it's a case of theres no right or wrong answer it seems. Theres loads of opinions from some very knowledgeable people and some less so. The fact that it's been discussed so many times and by so many people of varying knowledge means that it's more confusing than if it had been asked and answered once. I've read all the opinions and still am undecided as to what's best. I can identify with the op. For what it's worth my limited understanding of this topic is this. 1. Mineral yes. Semi synthetic less desirable but ok. Fully synthetic no. 2. 20w50 for manuals. 3. 10w40 for auto as anything thicker is a bit harsh on the gearbox. please let me know if I'm wrong. This topic is crying out for someone knowledgeable to pin an answer at the top of the forum.

[Big_Adam]

Well, its such a common thing, it would be nice to have a sticky, do a bit of voting and have done with the subject.

[jime17]

Exactly. Lets have the facts and decide for ourselves.

[Big_Adam]

Exactly. Lets have the facts and decide for ourselves.

That means testing, and I'm guessing apart from maybe DKLawson (always sort of expect him to have a lab connected to his garage) no here is going to do a comprehensive oil testing over X number of miles for X amount of time.

We put it to a vote, okay its sort of subjective and everyone has their preferences but we'd have a field of view for oils and types.

Example, oil weight is fairly close to most people using 20/50. Some use higher, some use lower. But the oil type seems to vary. Some use synthetic, mineral, semi.

[miniyellowmini]

I normally use 20w50 in my 84 998. Due a change when it goes back on the road.

Halfords Classic is a good choice

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165581

[josh austin mini city e 82]

i posted about it last week
everyone said 20 w50 mineral
mine is also a 998 1982

[jime17]

I'm more worred about the fact that mines an auto. I've had the same person tell me both 20w50 and 10w40 on two separate occasions.

[jaydee]

If your an auto all i know is that you need 10w40 and not 20w50, to be safe, ask 'guessworks' hes the gearbox guru and he'll know for sure.

[tiger99]

Use whatever viscosity the Rover manual says for your automatic. I don't have an owners handbook right now to check, but from memory, 10W40 seems right.

But DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC, and don't waste your money on semi-synthetic either. Synthetic will cause massive problems with either an auto or manual gearbox, and semi-synthetic may cause damage too. A reputable brand of mineral oil, Millers if you can find it locally, or Castrol, is best. I would never, ever use a cheap brand like Comma in any engine.

[i_am_neg]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I dropped into the garage down the road at lunch today and after a quick telephone call (god know's who to) they said 15 / 40. Bloody oil leak. I'm getting the underside of the engine steam cleaned tomorrow ready to take in to the garage on Monday so they can pinpoint where the leak is coming from. The other thing that's naggin me now is the tyre pressure on my 10 inch Falkens. Need to find out what they should run at.