53 replies to this topic

[Paulus]

Recently been given a Mayfair fitted with a 1380cc A+ engine. Its running a stg 4 head with a single 1 3/4" SU carb. Its gonna be used as an every day car.

What I want to know is, what oil should I be using in it? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Tom Sanderson]

millers xfs

this is about the best oil

we use this in my racing car

[Guess-Works.com]

Ideally you should use 10/40 mineral, but if the engines getting a bit ropey, try using a 15/40

Avoid using synthetic or part synthetic as most are not designed to be torn apart by gearboxes, I cannot comment on the quality of the above oil as have not used it, but not sure how many miles Tom does in a season but bet it's no-where near the 6k oil change interval for minis.

[Grayedout]

DO NOT fill it with the synthetic XFS above if it has not run its life on synthetic before !!

Use a GOOD quality mineral oil preferably of 50 weight (15W/50, 20W/50) as this will give the best comprimise of protecting both the engine and gearbox !

[Dan]

this is about the best oil

we use this in my racing car

Tom that's a bit of a daft thing to say. For one thing a racing engine requires totally different things from its oil to a road engine. There simply is no 'best oil' for all cars. For example, as said above Mini's do not like fully synthetic oils at all since the gearbox uses the same oil as the engine.

[Paulus]

Thanks chaps. Now, what battery do I need? Just found out mine is no longer fit for this world.

[Guess-Works.com]

I'd love to know where the falicy that 50 grade oil is good for a mini... 'cause in the UK climate it's too thick..

Check your manual !

[Noah991]

Did not know that about the synth oil. Good thing mine is due a change soon.

[Tom Sanderson]

Recently been given a Mayfair fitted with a 1380cc A+ engine. Its running a stg 4 head with a single 1 3/4" SU carb. Its gonna be used as an every day car.

sorry but i just naturally assumed that he would want a performane oil to go with, what sounds like, a performance engine. And if the engine has had enought money spent on it then it would be a good theing to change the oil more reguarly. i didn't thinks that it would make so much of a difference using a sythetic oil

and also millers do a great range of oils for classic and and all sorts of engines

[Dan]

As I said above Tom, a performance oil for the road would be different from a performance oil for the track. For example, do you get your race car off the trailer and start racing it with then engine cold? No? But you do just drive your daily driver away from your house early in the morning and expect full use of your engine immediatley I presume?

[pikey7]

I've used Millers oils in both my triumphs before, and they were great. I can't comment on Mini use though (As my engine is currently not in the car and doen't have any oil in it!), So i'll be watching this tread myself for comments......

[nev_payne]

Always (as far as memory serves) used a 15/40 oil - wether that be halfords or tescos brand - thought about using castrol, or a 20/40 but seems to have no problem running on the basic brand stuff

As for your battery question, I'm thinking of getting a new calcium battery - again from halfords (slight rip off but would rather i can take it back and shout at them than having to fork out again). Cost about £45 and apparently far better than the standard lead ones....can anyone verify? Rumour has it they've only been out on the shelves a hsort while, and not everyone changes a battery regularly.

[Grayedout]

'cause in the UK climate it's too thick..

It is NOT too thick !!!

Yes the engine will run happily on a 40 grade and maybe even a 30 BUT the gearbox will last longer on a 50 ! As with everything in lubrication terms its a comprimise!

Yes the handbook quoted 40 grade for later Mini's but I bet if you speak to Mini mechanics they will tell you they have seen more gearbox problems with later cars than earlier ones!

[Guess-Works.com]

I think you'll find even the first manual specifies 10/40, 50 is for use in warmer climates...

and as for gearboxes, never had any of mine fail using 40...

[Grayedout]

and as for gearboxes, never had any of mine fail using 40...

That's a relatively small sample to make judgements on!!