56 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

On this topic of lubrication, is Slick 50 protection worth it to put into the A Series engine/gearbox? I've always wondered if this would have any detriment on the Mini?

 

** just found a thread on this subject so there are some views that this is not worth adding as an additional additive.

Don't EVER put any additives like 'Slick 50', 'Wynn's Friction Proofing', or similar, into any classic Mini engine/gearbox. If you do you will be taking the engine out shortly afterwards to re-build the gearbox with new syncros and other bits.

Just run a mineral 20w50 with high ZDDP content and that's all you need.

[Cooperman]

Hi Des,

 

Good to meet you too.

 

The answers are all in the posts above. Personally I don't believe a 10w40 is the right oil for the Mini gearbox. It should be a 20w50 with high ZDDP content. IMHO the ideal oil is Valvoline VR1 20w50.

 

Pete

[MikeRotherham]

My car is serviced by an ex-JCG wizard and I currently have Castrol GTX 10/40 in the car. 

 

 

Is Castrol GTX 10w40 part synthetic?

 

Most people recommend mineral oil for the manual gearbox would a part synthetic oil be harmful?

 

I know this is a discussion that has many threads on different forums. I can understand people being confused.

[Mrpeanut]

My car is serviced by an ex-JCG wizard and I currently have Castrol GTX 10/40 in the car. 
 
 
Is Castrol GTX 10w40 part synthetic?
 
Most people recommend mineral oil for the manual gearbox would a part synthetic oil be harmful?
 
I know this is a discussion that has many threads on different forums. I can understand people being confused.

I know a specialist mini mechanic who uses 10w40 semi synthetic in his own minis, and customers. Rover also recommended it. Personally I use 20w50 mineral but some explanation as to why 10w40, whether mineral or semi synthetic, is not a good idea would be helpful.

[MikeRotherham]

That's good news because my automatic needs 10w40.

 

Does anyone know what's the zddp content of Castrol GTX 10w40 semi synthetic?

 

I've checked the data sheet on the website but it doesn't seem to say. I've emailed them but companies don't all seem to monitor their emails or respond slowly.

[jaydee]

GTX is a mineral oil, despite what its written on the label

[lewBlew]

I think it's because even the newest Mini is 15 years old now, what Rover say and what it says in the Haynes manual doesn't necessarily apply any more. Old cars/engines like classic oil, I thought.

[GraemeC]

May be rumour - but I understood Rover's later recommendation was more to align the oil used with the rest of the car range and make it easier for the service centres.  It was not what was necessarily best for the engine/gearbox. After all - the design of the components hadn't changed, why would the recommended oil change?  Maybe there would have been less warranty fixes on MPi boxes if the 20W50 mineral oil had been specced?

[Guess-Works.com]

No that was just due to chocolate gears and marshmallow diff pins.

[GraemeC]

Mmm tasty!

[Alpenflitzer]

 

I followed the advice of Calver and changed to MILLERS Classic Mini Oil 20W50. All the additives needed are in the oil.

You can use of course other 20W50 oils but then it was recommended to havbe additives. See Clavers site 

 

http://www.calverst.com/

 

 

I am very happy with Millers for at least the last 4 oil changes.

 

He makes a very convincing argument for using Torco 0W20. Was there a reason why you went for Millers instead?

 

 

Yes the reason is that all necessary additives are in the Millers Mini Oil. Especially important is the shear factor (gearbox!) of an oil.

Up to the change I used 20W50 Harleys Davidson oil. Because the Harley uses one oil for gearbox and engine. After using Millers I found that there are nearly no metal parts on the magnetic oil plug anylonger after 5000km.. And the oil looks still ok after 3000 km. I tested with an oil-testing kit which prooved my optical findings.

I use Millers Mini oil 20W50 in winter ( up to minus 30 Celsius) and summer.

Edited by Alpenflitzer, 19 November 2015 - 02:06 PM.