20 replies to this topic

[bernielad1983]

Hi, sorry I know there are a million "which oil" posts on these forums, i've looked through them but couldn't be sure any of them were talking about the 1.3 carb engine...

So serviced my Mini yesterday, got told to use a 15-40W oil but not completly sure thats correct. Anyone help me and tell me which oil grade will be best? Thanks a lot! )

[fatmini]

20w50

[bernielad1983]

Ok cheers, so 15-40W is wrong and will do damage?

[Big_Adam]

Ok cheers, so 15-40W is wrong and will do damage?

I used it for year and a bit no problem. Then it started to vanish on long ass trips so I changed to 20/50 unipart green. All is well now.

[Jammy]

I instructed the lass who bought my mini to use 20W50, but the eegit at Half**kups told her to use 15W40. She has an arguement with them and ended up walking away with 15W40. There is quite some debate on the exact oil to use, but most have settled on 20W50 for now. I think it matters more if you have a cat (on the exhaust system, not a pet!).

[bernielad1983]

I instructed the lass who bought my mini to use 20W50, but the eegit at Half**kups told her to use 15W40. She has an arguement with them and ended up walking away with 15W40. There is quite some debate on the exact oil to use, but most have settled on 20W50 for now. I think it matters more if you have a cat (on the exhaust system, not a pet!).

lol, well ive been told so many different oils, so im guessing that it doesnt matter a great deal so long as its changed regularly. Right now I have 15-40W Mineral in there, as thats what I was told by the shop i bought it from. So when you say it depends on whether you have a CAT or not, do you know which is best for if you have one?

[Bass Man]

On the oil front, I used Halfords 'Classic' 20w50 oil in my daughters 1983 998, it has been in there 500 or 600 miles, I checked it on Saturday b4 the L2B and it is BLACK. It still seems to have good substance, not too runny or treacly but is this usual?

[fatmini]

yeah i would say so on that age of car if the engines the original ,it happend to me on my old 88 mayfair even after new oil i would turn it over once and by then it would be black

there not like modern cars !! lol

[taffy1967]

I ordered Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 for my 1990 Mini Cooper, via my local Spares World and they got it in for me eventually.

[minislapper]

and it is BLACK

Thats fine and means it's doing it's job !!!

[Guess-Works.com]

I still use 10/40, will always use 10/40 and never seen any problems with 10/40...

However, I don't use knackered old engines....

IMO, treacle ( sorry 20/50 ) should be reserved for old oil burners...

popular recommendation however is, for non-injection mini use Millers trans M, and for injection use good quality 10/40 multigrade ( especially those with cats and emissions retrictions )

[bakertron]

Well i have been told to use 20w50 by many people...but i went to ATS the other day to get my oil changed and they dont use 20w50 they use 15w40...so i had to settle for that....even though i have a can of the Halfords classic 20w50 in my garage...what a waste of money that was then!

[Big_Adam]

I used 15/40 before and it just seemed to work it way out the engine too quick (damn leaky El Gordo!) with the 20/50 oil seems to last longer.

Althought don't like the 20/50 in my carb. Too thick, need to change back to 15/40

[Jimmyarm]

15w/40 mineral from halfords here too, no issues what so ever

[taffy1967]

I've heard of someone who ran his Mini round the clock twice on just Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 oil before the engine needed attention. And it was used very heavily inapparently, but got regular oil changes though.

I've also heard that owners of injection Minis have used Classic 20W/50 oil too and haven't had any issues come MOT time.

Anyway after using Castrol GTX 15W/40 for quite some time, I have now invested in some Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 and I'll be giving that a whirl from now on.