6 replies to this topic

[GermanMoreno]

Last week I took the mini for a roadtrip to Vermont, and temps hit negative celcius over night. I could feel the car was a little sluggish and maybe a tad louder. Using 20w50. I thought maybe I should try 10w40 for very cold temps. any insight from the experts?

[whistler]

10w40 mineral was the BMC recommended grade for cold climates with manual gearboxes.

[Midas Mk1]

Works style grille cover works a treat with 20w50, dailyed mine for several winters, one late shift was -6/7, both water and oil fully up to temp inc with the heater.

[Spider]

 Engine Oil Grades.JPG   130.96K   1 downloads

 

Personally, for those temps, I would suggest a 10W40.

 

Just as an FYI, Our engines are originally from the Austin A30 / A35 series. When you look up the engine oil for them, they recommended a 10W40, likewise our gearboxes too are based on those from the same cars and again, they recommended (in a multigrade) a 10W40.

 

[gazza82]

Mineral-based though .. not modern synthetic oils.


Odd how the small bore engines differed though. A30 had 803cc and A35 948cc whereas Mini got 848 and 998. 1098cc A35 vans were low compression but later they were 848cc.

A lot now run 1275 Midget engines ... (and a few are even bigger with two known to have V8s!)

Edited by gazza82, Today, 07:36 PM.

[roblightbody]

I'd stick with the 20/50 and just be patient with it while it warms through

[Earwax]

Just a couple of thoughts.

 

The bottom end of both oils is the same.........  same viscosity at 0 celsius....... so your starter motor is feeling the same drag.

 

Take the time to get the oil warm before heading off........ I blip the throttle occasionally so that the lifters dont get sticky.

 

Some things that are options in cold temps ( and involve the possibility of dirty hands.... gotta love working with old cars.... and especially old cold cars)

 

1. after overnight freezing temps, take the plugs out and initially spin the engine on the starter without any compression

 

2. Insert hot plugs if not already fitted.....( I use BP5ES or similar).... Start and warm engine

 

3. The use of "Start you bastard" type spray on the first air ingested by the motor can help

 

4. I usually revert to BP6ES plugs once operating temperature is achieved - but how your car behaves when in cruise mode will determine what plug your car likes.