6 replies to this topic

[mailman]

Hi Guys,

About to have the first crack at firing up the new motor in the next week or two. It was mentioned to me the other day that I should drop out the 20W50 Mineral Oil (Motul) that I currently have in there and put in some "running in oil" for the first fire up.

I have been informed that "running in oil" is quite a lot thinner, so I suppose just a lot more like an oil designed just for engines, not engine/gearbox combinations. To my mind it does seem like a good idea for the first fire up when I want to bed in the camshaft. This will mean there should be no major loads on the gearbox (i.e. not moving). So is it worthwhile to change it over in order to get a thinner oil getting through the galleries and to the bearings etc more?

Does this make sense? Is it recommended? Should I just stick with the good oil I have in there (I'm going to drop the oil out after the first 30min cam bed in period either way )?

As always, opinions very welcome. I know that oil choice is a contentious topic, and there are plenty topics for me to peruse for choosing the oil I will actually run my engine on fulltime, but I'd really like opinions on this. It's all very new to me and I'm just a jot nervous about my beautiful wee 1046 that I've painstakingly rebuilt.

[jaydee]

You need a mineral oil with loads of ZDDP and low detergents ie comma sonic 20w50

[tiger99]

Please do not use running-in oil in a Mini. What will it do to the gearbox? It is formulated for engines only, so may cause immense damage....

[jaydee]

If it contains moly it will eat the syncros indeed
The one i posted is safe for both engine and 'box :)

[tiger99]

Does it specifically say that? If so, that is useful to know.

[reallybig]

10w40 all the way

[Orange-Phantom]

I'd give AC Dodd a shout, also Millers Oils have a technical line (+44 (0)1484 475060), they are very helpful and will be able to point you in the right direction.