Wilkinson's 20/50 oil

[MikeNash]

Greetings Comrades!
Just bought a couple of gallons of the above in the Andover branch at £5 each! Hurry, hurry! Its on offer.
Regards, MikeN.

[chickenjohn]

Does it have an API number on it??

[MikeNash]

Dear Chickenjohn,

WOT??? Only five quid a gallon and you want an API number TOO??

I've got a can on the desk here and I quote "Suitable for older 4-stroke, high mileage petrol engines where a more premium oil is not preferred, . . ." In other words if, like me, you're doing about 200 miles to the pint with glistening patches on the garage floor and when out on the road you're always being pursued by a faint blue cloud then a cheap oil is not a bad idea.

'Spect our Favourite Scotsman will be along in a minute to give an expert opinion. Perhaps you should have a can for a prize at your 10th of March Club Night Raffle . . . .

Regards, MikeN.

[chickenjohn]

Hi Mike , the raffle is on in April! ;-)

As utterly sounds like your engine is due a rebuild then while you are saving for that to be done then the 20w50 oil from Wilko is fine.

The trouble is, folk with perfectly good engines will be putting this oil in!

[minor65]

Totally agree with chickenjohn. Wouldn't use the stuff, that goes for any oil without a API on it. Route1 is another brand I wouldn't use not even in a lawnmower, never mind in a good car engine. Fuchs silkolube 20w50 is the one for me.

[bmcecosse]

It was £9 last time I looked! Is it £5 in all branches, I wonder? Sorry to hear you have a blue cloud Mike! Are your valve stem seals good? And do you have good suction on the crankcase? I get about 200 to the pint - but no blue and no leaks.... Really good crankcase suction IS the answer.... I'll be down at Wilko at 9 tomorrow for a couple of gallons - it's great oil!

[lambrettalad]

it's good, cheap and it works

[silloyd]

The absence of information about API rating on the label implied but didn't confirm the spec of the oil, so I thought I'd ask the question to confirm one way or the other and to quote the very helpful Hayley at Wilkinsons' Customer Service:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your enquiry, please accept my apologies for the delay in a response, I have had trouble getting hold of the supplier. However, I can now confirm that the oil has no API ratings, this is a none specification oil".

Didn't stop me from buying up all they had at £5 a can 'cos it's fine with me, but just in case anyone else is bothered...!

[MikeNash]

Checked today in Andover Wilkies and not only had all the £5 cans gone but there was no slot or price for them. Asked at the desk and they say that their entire DIY range will be revamped in 2-3 weeks time and at the moment they're having to reduce stock to get some room for the change - so the sale. However, the cheap 20/50 oil will be retained and so the Morris Minor world will be saved.

But more seriously, although anyone running a good engine might want a superior oil I think we owe it to our poorer friends to point them towards bargains. For I remember when I was young I was poor and I ran a series of bikes and cars which were more expensive than I could afford, less reliable than I could wish and in poorer condition than I wanted. But I learned a lot, indeed, they helped to build a career in science and engineering. So lets encourage others too.

And Roy, the following cloud is 'cos I didn't fit seals on the inlet guides. Most times they seem to disappear anyway, so I thought I'd build it up that way. Not a good idea, I fear!

Regards to all, MikeN.

[millerman]

For the average low mileage slowish Minor driver, Wilko oil will be fine

For the high mileage "keeping up with traffic driver" Minor driver use an API rated engine oil, engine will use less and have better protection

[chickenjohn]

For the average low mileage slowish Minor driver, Wilko oil will be fine

For the high mileage "keeping up with traffic driver" Minor driver use an API rated engine oil, engine will use less and have better protection

Not really, because what an oil with an API rating means is that it has certain additives that prolong the life of the oil and keep the working surfaces of the engine clean among other things. If you were to use a non rated oil in a car infrequently driven or for short journeys and gentle use then you run the risk of running the engine with knackered oil in it.

This oil is only really suitable for an engine that is on its last legs before needing a re-build.

The API ratings are there for a reason!

http://www.pqiamerica.com/devilsindisguise.htm

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 8216,d.ZGU

Comma 20W50 oil with an API rating of SE, for example is only £13 for 4.5L. This being only £4 more than the Wilko oil makes the saving a false economy.

[philthehill]

Wilko classic SAE 20/50 back on the shelf in WilKo Andover today but at £16/5ltr. It had the API number printed on the very nice classic green metal can.
It must be getting warm - I saw two Minors in use in Andover today, one a convertible from the next village to me and a black two door? with a very distinct 666 in the registration number.

[MikeNash]

Saw in Andover today that Wilkies old 20-50 grade is now up three quid to £12 a can! Corr! And that "Classic 20-50" with an API of SE-CC is very much like the cans sold in Halfrauds ,is it not? What is the world coming too? At £16 a gallon you can get something much better.

And the Trav with the red hub caps in the multi story CP was mine. Which was yours, Phil? Regards, MikeN.

[philthehill]

Mike
It must have been Minor day in Andover because yours make three.
If you had seen mine (1958 2 door saloon speed hill climb special) it would have been on a trailer because that is the only way I can move it around as it is not road legal.

Phil

[bmcecosse]

Fortunately.....Morrisons still have 20W50 oil for £10 for 4.5 litres. It's perfectly satisfactory for any A series. Just don't expect it to last 'for ever' ! Change it once a year - it will be fine ! Mike - it's madness to not fit inlet guide seals !!

[MikeNash]

Yes Roy, it was a bad mistake not to fit the inlet valve seals. I did 'cos I found that the small "O" ring type often broke up and so wondered if they did anything anyway. Do you know about this type?

http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=2191

Have you used them and are they better than the "O" ring type? Do they fit in without any other changes?
Regards, MikeN.

[bmcecosse]

Hi Mike - the Bully links don't work..... This is the type to use - from Minispares - but the Bully ones are likely the same. Yes - they work well, so well - DO NOT put them on the exhausts! Ideally they go with a new guide with a little groove for the seal to lock in. However they can be used on plain guides - and they usually do stay in place ok. I suggested earlier in another thread that they could perhaps be held on with Superglue. Not tried it - just a suggestion!
http://www.minispares.com/search/classi ... 0seal.aspx
Note if you buy a head set from Minispares it comes complete with 4 of these seals.....

[MikeNash]

Thanks for that, Roy. I'll give it a go, MikeN.

[Jojax]

What about the Halfords stuff.......any good?

[bmcecosse]

Probably the same oil - at more cost.... I avoid Hellfrauds like the plague.......