Motor oil?

[Madmaz]

Boris is thirsty? I was wondering what oil would have been in my 1960 minor originally? Any ideas? I presume he would of left Morris fed and watered?

[PaulTubby]

Hi, id use and only use Castrol 20w50

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAS20W50-CAST ... 3a8cbed003

[mogbob]

Make sure it is a MINERAL based oil ( not synthetic ) SAE viscosity grade 20W/ 50
Everyone has their favourite and prices vary tremendously.A search on the Forum will demonstrate.

What everyone is agreed on... is that it is worthwhile changing the engine oil and filter on a regular basis.
Every day driver... follow the service intervals, sunny day / weekend driver some would say at least yearly.
It's your car that is going to wear out faster, if you don't do it at all !!

The same oil is / can be used in the gearbox ( capacities engine 6 1/4 pints and gearbox 2 1/2 pints.)
The differential is a different oil SAE 90 /EP90 ( GL4 spec ).
If you are doing the oil change yourself, don't forget a new washer for the sump plug.
When doing the differential, check the breather pipe is clear.

Usual Health and Safety warnings.. don't get under the car without it being on level, solid ground, on axle stands and other wheels securely chocked, handbrake firmly on.
Bob

[viewsonic1]

Halfords do their own.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ogId=10151

[bmcecosse]

The WILKO 20W50 oil is perfectly good enough for an A series engine (especially a thirsty one...) - and the price is right. You ask what would have been in originally - it would probably have been ESSOlube 30 Motor Oil, or possibly Castrol XL (also 30 grade) depending on where the loyalties lay at the time !

[chickenjohn]

Make sure the 20W50 oil you buy has an API rating of at least "E" or better, if no API rating you don't know if the oil has suitable additives to use in a Minor.

The cheapest oils may very well be filtered recycled oils from the council tip tank!

[TFM150K]

Make sure the 20W50 oil you buy has an API rating of at least "E" or better, if no API rating you don't know if the oil has suitable additives to use in a Minor.

The cheapest oils may very well be filtered recycled oils from the council tip tank!

I have spent the last 20 minutes googling "API" and its various options - nowhere can I find any reference to API ratings of "E" - what do you mean by ratings of "E or above"? On the oil that I have in the store, the API line reads
"API CH-4/CC4/CF4/CF/CF2/5J" - is that "E or above" or are you now as confused as I am? I would add that this is an SAE20W50 oil manufactured by a small firm with a good reputation in the classic car world and I have used it for years

[philthehill]

If Boris is thirsty and with the price of lubricating oil these days it may be time for at least piston rings and/or valve stem seals.
What is the consumption i.e. miles per ltr?

[bmcecosse]

Nothing wrong with recycled oil - for a humble A series! It doesn't need any fancy additives - but just don't expect it to last 'for ever'. ANY oil is better than LOW oil level - as long as there is oil pressure - and a working filter (ie no lost plate or spring, and not blocked so the oil by-passes) the engine will be fine for 3000 miles on the inexpensive oils.

[mike.perry]

Your car would have left the factory with straight 30 grade oil, multi grade had probably not been invented. However using 30 grade is probably taking concours judging a little too far

[bmcecosse]

Here you go - but can you be SURE it's the original oil in the can - and does it have an APi rating???? Concours cars will surely use nothing else.... but then again - maybe they don't need any oil, going about on trailers.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-VINTAGE- ... 2ecfc9be4c

[jagnut66]

Hi,
I've been using the Halfords one too recently. It seems fine to me and only £19 for 5 litres. Never heard of 'API' before though, apparently the Halfords one is this:

API SE CC

Good enough?

Almost worth buying the 'Essolube' on eBay for the tin.... almost......

Best wishes,
Mike.

[Trickydicky]

I have been using 20W50 from here http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/car-maintena ... Id=9227684
Been using it for a couple of years and it's fine.

[M25VAN]

10% off at the moment if you are a member of the B&Q club.
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/content/mark ... ?menu=club

[dalebrignall]

i use the car lube stuff from b and q that comes with a rating , morrisons doing 20/50 for a tenner when i last looked

[midengineracer]

API = American Petroleum Institute

I believe ACEA is generally used by you guys across the pond...

[lambrettalad]

I'm off to Wilco's in the morning to buy ,a gallon plus a top up .All for less than £20 quid

[chesney]

I discovered recently that my very local old school 'classic' garage sell Millers 20/50 at £9.50 a gallon, or £10.45 for 5 litres. So for me, that's what I use!
Otherwise, I'd still be using Wilko's 20/50.

[Madmaz]

Well we have only had Boris a little while and he's not that thirsty( thank goodness) thank you for all ur help, I'm gonna spoil him with a quality oil I think, at his age he deserves it!!

[ampwhu]

B&Q do a 5 litre for £11 I think. its in a blue container and it's 20/50. that's all you need