Oil!!

[poplars]

Having got my traveller last Friday and having spent ages sorting out an old stable as its new undercover home, I took it for a lovely run today and attempted to get it parked. It takes a lot of forward and reversing, so a plenty of gear changes and too'ing and fro'ing.

Anyway.... I saw a few oil spots. Anything to be overly worried about, or something to keep an eye on and get looked into when I take for a service etc.... BTW - total mechanical novice!![frame][/frame]

[simmitc]

It all depends upon from where they came, how long the car has been standing prior to being driven; and a whole host of other things. Leave the car standing in one place for a day and see if any more drips out, and then look above the stain to locate the source, and report back. Looking at the colour of the oil, it's certainly time for a change.

[poplars]

No oil on the drive where It had been since Friday - so assume it may well have been because it needed a bit of revving and gear changed to thread the car in the stable door at an angle.

May be a good idea to get it a service as a) wont hurt and b) could check for an serious issues.

[bmcecosse]

You don't 'get it a service' - that will cost a fortune! Just change the oil and filter - Simples! And Wilko 20W50 oil at £10 is perfectly good for your Minor.

[poplars]

i would always get a car I'd bough from someone else a service, as up you can never be sure how well they've looked after it in spite of what they may tell you.

[mike.perry]

It is an old car, it drips oil, buy yourself a sack of "kitty litter" to soak it up

[poplars]

Yeah thanks Mike.. hadnt noticed it's an old car Thanks for pointing that one out.

[dalebrignall]

as long as its not loosing a lot dont worry about it just keep an eye on the levals they all drip a bit its part of having a moggy

[poplars]

Thanks. No leaking when left overnight so shouldn't be too much to worry about. Have plenty of oil, so as you say, will keep an eye on it! So much fun to drive. Absolutely love it!

[chickenjohn]

If you do get the car serviced, ask at your local MMOC club branch, they are sure to know someone local who does a good job for reasonable rates.

And as for oil, please use some 20W50 with an API rating not "cheap" re-cycled oil from a chain store, who knows what is in that rubbish!

[bmcecosse]

There is NOTHING WRONG with the 'chain store' 20W50 - I've used it for many years in my older cars. It's fine - just don't expect it to last 'for ever'. Getting a Minor serviced at a 'garage' will almost certainly see it filled with vastly overpriced 10W40 oil - which is really not suitable for older design engines - ie the Minor A series. DIY oil/filter change is very straightforward and by far the best way to go. Just make sure you don't lose the plate and spring below the paper filter - IF it's even there ! Check for that - because over the years many get lost, and then the oil is completely unfiltered...which is not good.......

[poplars]

You lost me on plate, paper and losing things.... thats the extent of my mechanical knowledge. Have topped the oil up, (bought from Halfords) but when it gets a service it will be off to the garage already recommended on here in another post, as I want them to look at the roof area which isnt serious but just annoys me (needs a bit of bodywork done).

[bmcecosse]

You must have deep pockets...just make sure they use 20W50 oil...... If possible - stay with the car and learn from what they do!

[poplars]

No deep pockets, but would rather a qualified person service the car than me. Same reason I wouldn't attempt to fix the roof body work, as the reason it needs doing is clearly an amateur has had a go and probably made it worse. Im all for giving things a go, but sometimes its worth paying for expertise.

They garage in question are MMOC members so they will know what oil to use.

[bmcecosse]

I agree - that roof needs professional attention. But DO try to stay with the car and learn when it's being 'serviced' - as MMOC members they will surely allow that?

[poplars]

Want to learn as much as possible. So I can look after the car as much as I can! Next step will be seeing if I can grease where it needs to be greased! Gulp!!

[bmcecosse]

First - get hold of a grease gun... Have you downloaded a copy of the Workshop Manual from Google??

[poplars]

Got a grease gun. And No.. so I will ;o)

[bmcecosse]

Happy reading......