28 replies to this topic

[Mini_Magic]

I had 20W/50 oil in my MPi for over a year and never had a problem, it ran a bit smoother and changing gear felt much better then 10W/40.

It's much more important to change the oil regularly and always ensure it has enough oil.

[greg.harvey]

So all the oil chat confuses the hell out of me, frankly.

1. The book says 10W/30. Why does no one recommend that, if that's what the factory recommends?

2. 20W/50 is higher viscosity, right? And also not rated for use in very cold weather. So I'm wondering why so many people recommend this for newer MPi Minis as well as the older ones? Is it just because it's less leaky? Frankly, having oil flowing quickly and freely around the bits feels more important than it leaking a little more than it might with gloopier oil. I don't know what the old books used to say, but the 1999 1275 MPi book I have, which is the original, says 10W/30 - low viscosity makes sense to me, but what do I know?

3. And on the leaky note, my Mini is very leaky! I've no idea what oil is in it - it's new oil, put in by the last owner just before I bought it, just a few weeks earlier, but I don't know what it is. I guess leaks is leaks and need fixing, but would 20W/50 help the leaks, you think? I've read some threads saying essentially the block, sump, etc. is still the original design, so I guess it makes sense that a less viscous oil, 30 or 40, would leak out more readily than a 50, but then the 50 won't lubricate as well...?


Decisions decisions!

[Mini_Magic]

Most people recommend 20W/50 because Minis all have essentially the same A-Series engines and it's what everyone's been using for the last 50 years.

Rover recommended 10W/40 and longer servicing due to the trend in the industry at the time.

From experience the MPi runs and drives better with 20W/50, even in winter. It's up to you if you want to go by our advice or the manufactures advice.

Edited by Mini_Magic, 31 July 2011 - 05:11 PM.

[greg.harvey]

Rover recommended 10W/40 and longer servicing due to the trend in the industry at the time.

That's what I keep reading, but it doesn't tally (ignoring service interval) because Rover recommend 10W/30, *not* 10W/40. Which is lower viscosity and wasn't industry trend, AFAIK. As you say, most cars run 10W/40, so that would be industry trend and make sense, but 10W/30? That's an odd choice and seems quite deliberate. I just can't help it, I like to know why I'm doing something, and no one seems able to tell me! Furthermore lots of people say the book says 10W/40, which mine does not... did Rover change their tune towards the end?

Anyway, I've done some more background reading. This thread is interesting, talking about the "intent" of the manufacturer's oil specification being more important than the actual oil - which is an interesting point:
http://forums.xpower...ead.php?t=21733

What's confusing about that is the "intent" of the Rover book (or my Rover book, at least) is a relatively light oil, it seems, while everyone recommends something far heavier.

And then there's this - the more definitive Mini "what oil" post I was after:
http://www.theminifo...x...t&p=1791889

Doesn't cover my engine, but a cracking explanation.

I think I'm none the wiser really, except the general consensus seems to be that modern oils are much better than they used to be so anything will be fine really, as long as it's changed regularly!


So, just out of curiousity, has anyone ever even tried 10W/30 (not 40) in a late MPi to say if it was good or not, since that is the book recommendation? I haven't found any mention of anyone using 10W/30 anywhere. Without the glories of the Internet, that's what the manual says so that's what it would've got! I'm curious as to what the result would be, if anyone knows?

[benb12]

So Rover used 10W30 in the MPi minis... maybe that's why so many MPi gearboxes failed prematurely.

[greg.harvey]

Yup, see page 50 of the official workshop manual:
http://mini.nicehelp...Shop Maunal.pdf

(by the way, if that link ever dies and someone needs it, message me - I'm keeping a copy!)

[Mini_Magic]

So Rover used 10W30 in the MPi minis... maybe that's why so many MPi gearboxes failed prematurely.

+1

Also, doesn't the Haynes manual for the SPi/MPi recommend 10W/40?

[greg.harvey]

Tried to buy 20W/50 at the French motor factor this morning, said no chance in this town. Not very easy to get any more. Sold us a small pot of 15W/40 to tide us over, said it'll do the job (saw a post by an American on here saying he always runs 15W/40 and it's fine) and we'll have to order 20W/50 online.

[greg.harvey]

Hmm, Norauto (Halfords in France, effectively) only offer this:
http://www.norauto.f...rautoSI-/1.html

It sounds like it should be good, 20W/50 and specially formulated for cars produced between 1960 and 1980. But who knows?

Alternatively, maybe I can ask these guys to post me Millers:
http://www.joffrenytours.com/

Had a '74 Lotus a few years back and it always ran Millers, without exception. Good stuff.

Edit: Is this what people recommend?
http://www.joffrenyt...t...s&Itemid=26

Two 5l pots of that is still cheaper than one 5l pot of the Elf stuff from Norauto!

Edited by greg.harvey, 06 August 2011 - 11:43 PM.

[minimat]

Used 20/50 in my spi for 10 years without a problem penrite at first untill it got very expensive then duckhams while i still have some then prob comma/halfords after that has all gone.
Rover did spec a thinner oil at one point but genral opinion is to use the thicker 20/50 after all it's an still an old engine inside just surrounded my modern electronics.

[Philippe]

The Castrol website recommends 5W40 for an MPi Mini - I've no idea what's in mine, though I think I'll tend towards a 20W50 next time it's changed.

[Jake Didsbury]

Ill second that about 10/30  my W reg 2000 mpi manual says 10/30 for the engine oil but I would never ever use 10/30,  Its had 10/40 in it when I first got it, that was nearly 4 years ago ever since its had castrol classic 20/50.

The diff pin sheared late last year and I rebuild the diff and gearbox, ive heard alot of problems with that kind of thing maybe its a materials problem but it could be that oil thing I dont know, but I always use 20/50

regardless of what anyone says, and you cant get away from it, it is still an a plus engine with the same gearbox design as the first mini so the principle is still the same, this talk about it nackering other things up like the sensors etc, well to be honest id rather replace a sensor than ruin the engine ive had it out once before Id rather not have to do it again 

[Shep76S]

Millers CTV 20-50 here, I only do around 1k miles a year though.
I find the gearbox notchier when cols with it but so much better once the oil is warm. I went CTV in the hope the lambda and cat wouldn't be affected so quickly.