Lubrication and fluids

Post by **Nimrod** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:57 pm

What's the current thinking on engine oil and related fluids? I've just bought a traveller that had a re-conditioned engine put in about 5k miles ago, and currently has semi-synthetic oil in it. Should I stick to semi-synthetic or go back to good old GTX or even 20-50?

Brake fluid - dot 4?

Gearbox oil? I put a recon gearbox on my Midget and was advised to use ep90 instead of the traditional ep80 as it gave a smoother gear change.

Diff oil?

Ta muchly.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:03 pm

Engine oil in box, unless it is pre- 1953, but since it is a traveller, that's no possibilty

I use good quality 20W50
20W50 in engine
20W50 in box
EP90 in diff
jack oil in shocks, whatever anyone tells you
SU carb oil in dashpot
EP90 in steering rack
Ordinary white grease for all grease nipples ( and they do like a regular greasing!)

Post by **MikeNash** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:58 pm

And get one of them wrap around magnet things on the filter body to trap the metallicy bits. Whatever oil you use, it works better the cleaner it is. Regards, MikeN.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:42 pm

Onne wrote:Ordinary white grease for all grease nipples ( and they do like a regular greasing!)

White grease? Isn't that for lubricating the bushes when you're putting them in - or have I lost the plot?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:54 pm

Very few metallic bits in Minor oil - no gears in the sump! If you find metal - something is seriously wrong. Definitely NOT EP 80 or 90 in the gearbox - engine oil only.
Jack oil in the dampers - only if you like that vague floating sensation !

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:50 pm

I do, and so soes the designer. And I wasn't joking about white grease, BTW

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:50 pm

And I wasn't joking about white grease, BTW

You might be right Andrew but doesnt some white grease have teflon in it, I though the grease for rubber components was Red Grease maybe Jonathan can give a definative answer and put it in useful tips as well to avoid and futher confusion.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:56 pm

You might be right Andrew but doesnt some white grease have teflon in it, I though the grease for rubber components was Red Grease maybe Jonathan can give a definative answer and put it in useful tips as well to avoid and futher confusion.

suspension polybushes should have a special white grease.
Most grease is 'beige' and I'd love to know whether LH or any other type is better in recommended for suspension - IMHO the red/copper stuff is to be avoided unless you've got a special need for it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:06 pm

I just use silicon grease for polyurethane bushes.

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:25 pm

I use:

Red "rubber grease" for brakes

Sachets of wheel bearing grease for bearings (cause I pop to the local motor factors and buy what's fallen out their very old NOS kits for not much money)

LHM or whatever it's called for general greasing

EP (or whatever the high pressure grease is) for steering racks (obligatory not Minor reference)

Moly when I can't be bothered to clean the gun out

And when I finally fit polybushes, it'll be whatever comes in the Superflex package

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:53 pm

rayofleamington wrote: suspension polybushes should have a special white grease.

THAT'S what I remembered. JLH did say that a while ago, so it's what I've used.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:41 pm

my apologies, beige it is...