12 replies to this topic

[Vinay-RS]

Hi everyone,

 

I did my first oil change about 5 months ago (July 2014) and as per the haynes manual, I suspect I need to do another one soon. I was advised to change the oil more regularly as my daily commutes are quite short and hence the engine doesn't run for very long. I used 20w50 high mileage oil for the first change, but I recently found out that may have been incorrect.

 

Now to the questions:

 

1) I was told that since a mini is an old car I should use drain the oil, pour in a cheap 20w50 oil, change the filter and run the car for around 100km, then drain the oil again and put in the correct oil. Is this correct?

 

2) What is the correct oil to be used for a mini (since the same oil is used for the gearbox and engine)?

 

Also sorry if this has been asked before, I did a quick search and couldn't find anything.

 

Regards,

 

Vinay

[59 Speed]

To my knowledge people recommend using cheapo stuff on a new engine build to help the rings bed in etc...

As for using it for 100km then draining it, that would only be on a fresh engine build - I can't see an advantage (I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong though )

If it's run in I would just do an oil and filter using 20w50 mineral

Edited by Smackfiend, 04 December 2014 - 06:10 PM.

[sonikk4]

Now without this thread getting out of hand there are various brands out there, some maybe better than others but it's also down to what you can afford, is the engine hard tuned etc etc.

Personally on my bog stock 998 Clubby I use the Halfords Classic 20w50. No issues with and works well. I do not have an oil pressure gauge so cannot tell if there is any pressure drop with this brand of oil gets hot but I used my car a lot this year with not a problem.

As and when I build my higher spec 1293 I will use a better oil.

Ohh and on a normal engine oil change I ensure the oil is warm, drain for 10mins, replace the oil filter ( put some oil in the filter before fitting and lightly oil the seal) then add the oil, no dropping again after 100kms. Just change it all again in 3000 miles.

[Bubblebobble]

A good 20w50 oil is Valvoline VR1 , although as said stuff like Halfords is ok , not that you can get it there . Do you get Millers oils?  They are good as well . Basically nothing dirt cheap !!

 

 

http://www.valvoline...english/contact

You could enquire here for Valvoline .

Edited by Bubblebobble, 04 December 2014 - 06:13 PM.

[Vinay-RS]

As for using it for 100km then draining it, that would only be on a fresh engine build - I can't see an advantage (I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong though )

If it's run in I would just do an oil and filter using 20w50 mineral

 

Ohh and on a normal engine oil change I ensure the oil is warm, drain for 10mins, replace the oil filter ( put some oil in the filter before fitting and lightly oil the seal) then add the oil, no dropping again after 100kms. Just change it all again in 3000 miles.

 

Thanks for that, I was told about the 100km oil change and it sounded odd. It is good to know that I don't need to do that. It's also good to know that I didn't do anything wrong when using a 20w50 oil.

My engine is a stock standard 1275cc with a single 1.5" SU and it had a rebuild quite a while before I bought the car. 

 

 

A good 20w50 oil is Valvoline VR1 , although as said stuff like Halfords is ok , not that you can get it there . Do you get Millers oils?  They are good as well . Basically nothing dirt cheap !!

 

 

http://www.valvoline...english/contact

You could enquire here for Valvoline .

 

I did a quick google search and it seems that we do get valvoline oils here, don't know if they are the same as what you guys get in the UK.  I used Castrol gtx high mileage 20w50, cause it is considered good quality oil over here.  

[cal844]

I use comma classic 20w50 (lime green tin with mini on it) i do approx 5000 miles a year changed once a year it keeps good pressure

[Bubblebobble]

Castrol gtx would be fine i guess , it all relative how much of a difference one good oil is to another i guess . Valvoline is a favourite over here , especially with the old Ford boys and girls .

[Spider]

I have been using Penrite HPR30 for quite a while now. When recently stripping an engine and gearbox that had been running on this, I did find that it had been doing it's job well in terms of ludrication and cleaning. Quite happy with it and would recommend it to fellow Mini owners.

[Vinay-RS]

Yeah everyone has their preference on the type of oil used.

 

I have been using Penrite HPR30 for quite a while now. When recently stripping an engine and gearbox that had been running on this, I did find that it had been doing it's job well in terms of ludrication and cleaning. Quite happy with it and would recommend it to fellow Mini owners.

 

Just googled that name, it says it is a 20w60 oil. So what is the difference when compared to a 20w50 oil?

[Spider]

Yeah everyone has their preference on the type of oil used.

 

I have been using Penrite HPR30 for quite a while now. When recently stripping an engine and gearbox that had been running on this, I did find that it had been doing it's job well in terms of ludrication and cleaning. Quite happy with it and would recommend it to fellow Mini owners.

 

Just googled that name, it says it is a 20w60 oil. So what is the difference when compared to a 20w50 oil?

 

Good point!   It is a 'thicker' grade (though not the best term to use), maybe in the less warm temps, the HPR20 would be more appropriate.

 

The 60 'weight' is what we find best here as our average daily temps throughout the year go from around 10 to mid-40's, however in less temperate parts, a 50 or even a 40 'weight' would be more appropriate.

 

I have read up a little on the Miller's brand of oil, which we can't get here, and that too does appear a good Mini friendly oil.

[Vinay-RS]

 

Yeah everyone has their preference on the type of oil used.

 

I have been using Penrite HPR30 for quite a while now. When recently stripping an engine and gearbox that had been running on this, I did find that it had been doing it's job well in terms of ludrication and cleaning. Quite happy with it and would recommend it to fellow Mini owners.

 

Just googled that name, it says it is a 20w60 oil. So what is the difference when compared to a 20w50 oil?

 

Good point!   It is a 'thicker' grade (though not the best term to use), maybe in the less warm temps, the HPR20 would be more appropriate.

 

The 60 'weight' is what we find best here as our average daily temps throughout the year go from around 10 to mid-40's, however in less temperate parts, a 50 or even a 40 'weight' would be more appropriate.

 

I have read up a little on the Miller's brand of oil, which we can't get here, and that too does appear a good Mini friendly oil.

 

 

I think our temperatures are closer to yours than the guys from the UK. (summer temps go from around 15 - 35 degrees and winter temps go from around 5 - 30 degrees) Interesting that a 20w60 might be suitable.

I don't we get Miller's oil either. I'll check around, but I haven't seen the brand before.

[Bubblebobble]

I checked earlier as i was going to post a link up , but they do not seem to sell over your way . Perhaps a good opportunity there ?! Im lucky as they have a huge depot on the other side of town .

[Vinay-RS]

Haha, with all these things it takes time for people to accept a new product, but sure if someone has the capital they could start importing that brand of oil :)