19 replies to this topic

[racingbob]

i normally change my oil around 2000  2500

 

but notice it starts to change colour just checking at 1350 or bit less

 

so would it not be better to change earlier or doesnt it matter 

 

that the oil stars getting contaminated and leaving for another 1000 miles

 

its been in there 4 months

 

the unipart 20 50 isnt expensive but keeps good pressure

 

id be happy changing every 1250 but is it realy needed

[cal844]

My comma classic hasn't been in the motor for 500 miles and is already black!

[Cooperman]

The original service interval for oil changes was 1500 miles. I used to have to change mine every month when I had my forst Mini and Mini Cooper back in 1963 & 1964.

 

Modern 20w50 quality multi-grade should be OK for 2500 miles.

[racingbob]

but once it starts to look bit contaminated say at 1000

 

is it not best to change it to keep engine in top nik

[Earwax]

If you want to change oil more regularly, then nothing wrong with that.

 

Colour change is not necessarily meaning the oil is past its best protection. As alluded to above, modern engine oils ( for old cars.. ) have additive packs that last a lot longer than 1000.,  and if you look at many used oil analyses, you could interpret that we are costing ourselves money by changing out oil too frequently,   but i have to say small pennies compared to keeping the oil in too long and damaging engine, bearings etc,,,,,   i woul like to see some used oil analyses for old motors and mineral 20w 50, but i personally cant justify the extra expense.

[tiger99]

I used to run GTX for 6000 miles without problems, but only in a standard 998 or 848. The only lubricant-related failure that I experienced was due to trying Slick 50, which wrecked a good engine within a few hundred miles. Normally I was getting 100k miles or thereabouts before a rebuild. Sometimes I was so short of cash that I would do the filter on every second oil change.

In a base model engine I would do the same again with a good modern oil, such as often suggested here, but change the filter every time. However in a highly tuned engine I would be more careful, and the rarer the engine, the more frequently would I feel compelled to change the oil and filter.

With a modern engine conversion the oil change problem becomes much less acute, but in some cases such as the Ecoboost you really have to use special and expensive oil, so at the end of the day you don't save much except your time.

But too many oil changes are better than too few, if you take care not to wear out the drain plug thread in the box. And cheap oil should never be used unless you know that your engine and box are on their last legs and will be getting a full rebuild. I have seen too many cars of various types and ages ruined by skimping on oil quality.

[Rorf]

GTX 20W50 at every 6000 miles (10 000kms) or yearly is good enough for me.

 

Also dont forget to change brake fluid every 2 years and coolant every 3 years.

[racingbob]

Be good if anyone could test the quality after around 2000 miles see how much it's declined particularly being thrashed around in the gearbox as well

[CityEPete]

My van has this 20'000 oil change range, I do it myself every 10k even when using the proper long life oil, 20k just seams too long to me.

[neal]

My van has this 20'000 oil change range, I do it myself every 10k even when using the proper long life oil, 20k just seams too long to me.

Yes I agree with you on that one, but I can't help feeling that once the oil turns black its carrying carbon allegedly locked safely away, but carbon is abrasive so I think that I'll protect my engine and gearbox with frequent oil changes and not take the risk.

 

I think if someone could make good use of our used engine oil if it's only done 2000/3000 miles for direct use as opposed to discarding via the appropriate waste management channels and a lengthy recycling process. Does anyone know if this is possible or is there such a company who would be interested, also would this have a positive effect whether it be environmental or a cost saving?

Edited by neal, 25 May 2017 - 09:52 PM.

[Cooperman]

My BMW Diesel has 20,000 mile oil change intervals using a BMW LL-04 fully synthetic oil. It looks really black after about 2000 miles and I change it every 7000 to 8000 miles.

[neal]

I used to carry out frequent oil and filter changes around 5000 miles on a fleet of taxis and courier vans both diesel and petrol engines, they smoked a little after 200,000 miles but still run strong, this was back in the '80/90's on Vauxhalls and fords. I did see a Mondeo with 400,000 miles up it drive through the auction and sell, didn't sell for much though.

 

But as the mini shares it's oil with the gearbox then I think we all know the answer, but I think an oil pressure gauge on a mini is a good early warning device when the oil is hot as well as regular visual checks.

Edited by neal, 25 May 2017 - 10:27 PM.

[pete l]

So what are we saying here ? 

My mini has an MPI engine from 1997, should i be changing the oil every 1000 miles ????

What about synthetics ? 

[racingbob]

Saw 5th gear yesdy had about oil as shares gearbox going to change always before or at 2000 the most

[Steve220]

2-2.5k/6months is a good guide. Modern cars are made to a much higher tolerances and friction technologies and thus have a larger intervals.