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Post by 69hcode on Jun 14, 2018 1:03:41 GMT
Martin's back. It's been a while.
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Post by robmancuso on Jun 26, 2018 14:31:51 GMT
I'm new to the board (and mini ownership) and I think I've read every article about the pros and cons about the different oils to use in our automatic minis. I have a 1992 Rover Mini 1.3 SPi (from Japan) and have been using Miller's CTV 20W50 semi-synth. After reading so many opinions and warnings (and fearing that I'm ruining my mini), I sent a email to Miller's Oils and received a response. I thought I'd share it with everyone for disucssion:
Good Morning Rob
Thank you for your email.
Having checked the information on your car, firstly you can use a number of different viscosities from 5w30, 5w40, 10w40 and 20w50 and also the synthetic part does not matter one bit. I would stick with the Semi synthetic 20w50 you have been using. The benefits to using CTV 20w50 is that it has got more ZDDP ( Zinc and phosphorus ) which are the anti-wear protection for the engine and gearbox so i would stick with that.
The base oil used does not affect catalytic converters or automatic transmissions at all.
Years and Years ago the type of synthetic base oils oil companies were using did affect and soften seals etc but oil companies do not use that type of synthetic base oil so it is fine.
Regards Colin
Thoughts? My temptation has been to switch to Valvoline VR1 20W50, but now I'm not so sure..
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Post by mra-minis on Jun 26, 2018 20:31:24 GMT
I can be contacted on martin@kmprecisionengineering.com
stick to MA2 as they have better ingredients with no need for masses of ZPPD which for the most part don't have enough sulfur anyway..... whoever told you 20W50 give them a big slap for being stupid .... its an auto it must have 10W40... or a lot of repair money your choice.....
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Post by robmancuso on Jun 26, 2018 21:55:35 GMT
I'll take that advice - thank you! Any recommendations on brands? Most MA2 JASO 10W40 are synthetic or semi. Harder to find conventional..
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Post by mra-minis on Jun 26, 2018 22:02:24 GMT
I can be contacted on martin@kmprecisionengineering.com
you'll need to drive it careful for about 500 miles then change again and you should be ok... in other words don't thrash it to hell and back
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Post by richard1 on Jul 1, 2018 0:13:12 GMT
Tarija and Santa Cruz, Bolivia Unfortunately, someone who doesn't produce motorcycle oil has little experience with them and the friction needed. MA2 10W-40 is normally best. but I suggest you read through this for details if you haven't. www.widman.biz/mini_pics/classic-mini-oil.pdf
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Post by johnnyb on Feb 5, 2023 20:06:27 GMT
Having read the entire thread, and Richard’s articles about oils, I only have one question. My mini are a 1972 mod automatic, and i wonder if the recomendations is for every model or based on newer models? I still use fuel additive in the petrol to prevent damage to the engine, will this have anything to do in the choice of oil?
Best regards JohnnyB
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Post by jockduck on Feb 6, 2023 10:25:12 GMT
Hi, I'm afraid I have a bit of a contrary view, The A series engine needs a decent amount of ZDDP because of its flat tappets, I don't believe the latest oils have enough, I use 10-40 mineral oil and have been for years without problems. I did use 20-50 when I lived in the tropics and that was fine in high temps but too sluggish in cooler temps. I have not used an upper cylinder lubricant/ valve saver for 20 years, I have changed my Minis valve seats for lead free inserts and have no worries, I had a manual mini which did 30000 miles on lead free petrol and standard head it still had good compression when I sold it, I think the leadfree thing was a bit of a scare by people selling valve saver. If your mini is burning any oil the additives in the oil help to protect the valve seats, I don't think valve saver affects the engine oil to any extent. Jock
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Post by richard1 on Feb 6, 2023 12:58:17 GMT
---- Let us start out by understanding that 20W-50 is too thick for the AP transmission. Then also consider that for maximum performance and transmission life, the AP transmission should have a JASO MA2 motorcycle oil in it. And I have a list of some of the oils people hace suggested, along with their characteristics, in my paper on selection of the right oil for classic minis (but for manual transmission ones). Any 10W-40 oil that meets the JASO MA2 spec is fine, whether mineral, synthetic, or a blend. www.widman.biz/mini_pics/classic-mini-oil.pdfTarija and Santa Cruz, Bolivia
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Post by jockduck on Feb 7, 2023 10:17:44 GMT
One problem, if you go to an oil company web site and ask what is the correct oil for an auto Mini they almost always recommend the same oil as they recommend for manual Minis, 20-50 mineral, at least in Australia they do. Jock
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Post by richard1 on Feb 21, 2023 1:51:26 GMT
One problem, if you go to an oil company web site and ask what is the correct oil for an auto Mini they almost always recommend the same oil as they recommend for manual Minis, 20-50 mineral, at least in Australia they do. Jock Unfortunately, most phone calls are enamored by minimum wage people who only have lists in front of them, and little knowledge. I will guaranty you none, iven if you get a formulator, has any idea of what is inside an AP transmission. Most will even tell you that a GL-5 oil can be used in a standard synchronized transmission, even though it is totally wrong.
I'm the exception. emails or texts come to me, as owner/CEO, and I not only take my time to study each case, but own a Mini with an AP transmission which I have personally rebuilt. Now that I've sold my company, I still take all the weird stuff, with a technical person answering the day to day, although he consults me on many.
Tarija and Santa Cruz, Bolivia
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