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#1 liam1288

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Posted 09 April 2010 - 10:31 PM

just got given loads of car bits and bobs like oils, car wash etc. castrol 15w/50 was one of the oils. its not been opeded and looks quite vintage! must've been sat in a garage for years!
i normally use 10w/40, could i use the 15w/50 in my mini?
cheers

#2 taffy1967

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 12:24 AM

Yes you could, although 20W/50 is best.

#3 Scallywag630

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 12:28 AM

20W/50 was what BL/Rover put in the cars in the factory.

#4 Pooky

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 06:58 AM

How old is it? Does oil have a shelf life?

#5 Asphalt

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 08:34 AM

BL/Rover did put 29W50 in theyr cars, yes. But not only. The grade of the oil as far more important than it's viscosity! In fact, all manuals I looked through recommended to use high grade oils, but let quite a choice of viscousities to the user:

Morris Mini Minor, 1959:

"engine oil to ref. D page 60"

Ref. D, page 60: http://666kb.com/i/b...vrxmf0bwf7y.jpg

Mini Cooper Mark II, 1968:

Ref. A:
"All temperatures above -18°:
- Filtrate 10W/30 Multigrade
- Sternol W.W. Multigrade 10W/40
- Duckhams Q.5500
- Castrol Castrolite
- Esso Extra Motor Oil 10W/30
- Mobil Mobiloil Special 10W/30 or Mobiloil Super 10W/40
- BP Super Visco-Static 10W/40 or Visco-Static
- Shell Super Motor Oil

Approval also given to: BP Super-Visco Static 20W/50, Shell X-100 Multigrade 20W/50, Sternol WW Multigrade 20W/50 Esso 20W/40, Mobil 20W/40, Castrol XL and Duckham's Q.20-50 for temperatures down to -12° and to momograde or single-viscosity detergent/dispersant lubricants supplied by companies listed above. For temperatures below -18° use multigrade S.A.E. 5W/20 or 5W/30 oil."

Mini 850 & 1000 (Limo, Van/Traveller, Pick-Up), 1971:

Karte nach Klima:
- All Temperatures above -10°: S.A.E. 10W/50, 10W/40, 20/50 oder 20W/40.
- Temperatures from -15° to -5°: S.A.E. 10W/50, 10W/40 oder 10W/30.
- All Temperatures below -15°: S.A.E. 5W/30 oder 5W/20.

Innocenti Mini 1001 Export, 1974:

- All Temperatures over -10°: S.A.E. 10W/50, 10W/40, 20/50 oder 20W/40.
- Temperatures from -15° to -5°: S.A.E. 10W/50, 10W/40 oder 10W/30.
- All Temperaturen below -15°: S.A.E. 5W/30 oder 5W/20.

Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 Export, 1975:

Climat chart:

Posted Image

- All temperaturen over -10°:
-- Mobil Special 20W/50 oder Super 10W/50
-- Shell Super 20W/50
-- BP Super 20/50 oder 10W/40
-- Castrol GTX
-- Duckham's 20-50
-- Esso 10W/50
-- Texaco 20W/50
-- Petrofina 20W/50 oder 10W/50 oder 10W/40

- Temperatures from 10° to -20°:
-- Mobil Super 10W/50
-- Shell 10W/50
-- BP 10W/30 oder 10W/40
-- Castrol Castrolite (Mit Fidel? Posted Image die Red.)
-- Duckham's Q.5500
-- Esso 10W/40
-- Texaco 10W/40
-- Petrofina 10W/50 oder 10W/40

- All Temperatures below -10°:
-- Mobil 5W/20
-- Shell 5W/30
-- BP 5W/20
-- Castrol GTZ
-- Duckham's Q. 5-30
-- Esso 5W/20
-- Texaco 5W/30
-- Petrofina 5W/20

Mini Special, 1977:

RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS:

Posted Image"

Autin mini METRO, 1981:

Same climate orintated lubricant chart:

Posted Image

Austin-Rover Mini, 1984:

Chart au climat:

Posted Image

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess there's an API rating on UK oil cans too? Make sure you don't buy something below API-SG (ratings starts at SA and ends with top quality at SK/SL).

I ONLY use high grade 15/W40 oil in my Mini - it never ever posed a problem. The gearbox shifts fine even at -15° almost from the start and oil pressure builds up imidiately. If you look how thick 20/W50 is at temperatures below 10° - or even at -10° - you could put it on your bread for breakfast but no way would I put this into an engine! In summer whn it's constantly above 10° - maybe.

For me I've chosen 15/W40 as a good and sensible priced 'allrounder'. And it never poses a problem to get good grade 15W40. At least over here you sometimes struggle to find good 20W50.

My two pence...

Cheers,
Jan

Edited by Asphalt, 10 April 2010 - 08:37 AM.


#6 liam1288

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 09:44 AM

thanks jan, very usefull! just to add there is no on the tin though its not been opened...

#7 taffy1967

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Posted 10 April 2010 - 11:39 AM

Each to their own, but remember the Minis transmission has a blender effect on the oil it shares with the engine.

So 20W/50 is just right and I've used it for years without any problems.




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