34 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

You do not want to use a synthetic oil.

You want a mineral oil, 20w50, as Imak says Millers or Comma in the U.K.

https://www.commaoil...otor-oil-20w-50

What gas and oil are you guys putting into these 1275 engines? Premium gas and 10-40 synthetic oil?
PO is not helpful.

[beardylondon]

Did you find a VIN under the rubber gasket? PM me if you’d prefer!

Dang, rubber gasket glued in channel,

[Medusa]

This is what I found.

[Medusa]

This is what I found. Nothing on cowl drip channel.

Attached Files

•  IMG_20250517_131330.jpg   23.93K   0 downloads

[Medusa]

X

Attached Files

•  IMG_20250517_131330.jpg   23.93K   0 downloads

Edited by Medusa, 17 May 2025 - 08:51 PM.

[Medusa]

X

Edited by Medusa, 17 May 2025 - 08:51 PM.

[Medusa]

This is what I found on front nose, nothing under gasket on cowl rain channel.  IMG_20250517_131330.jpg   23.93K   1 downloads

[beardylondon]

If you decode your VIN using this link:

https://www.theminif...21-vin-numbers/

XAD2 895433B

Looks like your VIN plate belongs to a clubman body, ie a 1275GT, as in flat fronted mini, yours is obviously a round fronted mini.

So as someone said above it looks like your car has been re-VINed to allow import into the USA. That VIN does not correspond to the vehicle it is screwed on to.
Unless in the unlikely event, the whole front end has been replaced, and it got all the running gear from a 1990 era vehicle.

Edited by beardylondon, 17 May 2025 - 08:36 PM.

[Medusa]

No numbers in rain gutter cowl

Attached Files

•  IMG_20250517_134233.jpg   45.54K   3 downloads

[beardylondon]

Fair enough. So it’s probably as older shell, or had a new gutter!

No numbers in rain gutter cowl

[Medusa]

No idea where I'd find that mineral oil here, but i'll look for it or something similar.

[Medusa]

Thanks for the effort to help me know what I'm driving.

[Quinlan minor]

No idea where I'd find that mineral oil here, but i'll look for it or something similar.

Look for V twin (Harley) 20/50 motorcycle mineral oil.

Edited by Quinlan minor, Yesterday, 01:37 AM.

[Blumeanie]

What gas and oil are you guys putting into these 1275 engines? Premium gas and 10-40 synthetic oil?
PO is not helpful.

I use premium gas - because it works well and (mostly) because I do not use much!

I use 20w50 - the one that is 100% dinosaur juice (NOT synthetic). Its what is specified - and due to simultaneous use by the gearbox. (the mini gearbox will not enjoy a synthetic oil) I am in a warm-ish climate - temps compared to the minis country of birth, so that weight works great. The mini lives a bit South of San Diego unless we are roaming somewhere - nothing extreme as far as heat as we are on the coast. But warmer than the UK. (or the Netherlands where I kept the mini after purchase.)

 

I use high zinc motor oil. This was recommended by a British car mechanic from the UK who worked at Longbridge back in the day.

 

This stuff: 

Valvoline VR1 Racing SAE 20W-50

 

(- For 'racing' & classic cars. I believe also Castrol makes a similar formula) 

Edited by Blumeanie, Yesterday, 06:11 AM.

[Ethel]

The magic ingredient for the oil is ZDDP. Because of the gears in the sump the oil gets a mashing that synthetics tend not to like. Bikes oils will be formulated for gearbox in sump lumps, but may be compromised by also having wet clutches. There's defo a division between old cars & new. The goodies we'd like in our oil a catalytic converter probably won't.