7 replies to this topic

[pflpfl]

Hello

First I want to apologize for sort of stupid "yet another oil related question" as being my first post in here.

My girlfriend bought '92 Spi Mini for daily commuting here in Finland about a year ago. It has been quite nice experience for both of us with few nasty suprise (rust, Spi sensor problems...) that have mostly been worked out.

I have however now come to conclusion that the engine and in particular, the gearbox are in need of overhaul. I am probably going to buy another full engine/gearbox assembly so that I can rebuild the original unit with the car still on the road and in everyday use.

I've been using Valvoline VR1 20W50 this far but now I've started to think about alternatives to protect these engines during winter months. for few months in a year it is 15-30 degrees celsius and for 3-4 months it can be -30 to -10 in here. Last winter Mini started really reliably but due to some sensor problems it was really pain to keep running while the engine was still cold.

I've been mainly looking and thinking at VR1 range, all contain good amount of ZDDP, there are three to choose from:

5W-50 synthetic
10W-60 semisynthetic
20W-50 mineral (that I'm using now)

I think 20W is too stiff stuff for proper cold weather, but which out of two others would you choose? I'm changing oil every 3000-5000km (2000-3000 miles). If Mini gearbox / diff really destroys the structure of synthetic oil, how fast does it do it?
Would it be difficult to obtain proper oil pressure with 10W-60?

Are there any other alternatives with ZDDP that would suit cold weather and Mini drivetrain?

[jaydee]

10w60 synth is too exotic, thats racing stuff i wouldnt use it on a road car, they have different rebuild intervals, for a road car i would go for something of know reliability.
Unipart 10W40, you can always add ZDDP.
3000km is fine for oil+ filter change.

[Marcos Controls]

I've been using Castor Edge 10W60 fully synthetic in my daily drive for over 3 years now and the temperature varies from -30 to +40 throughout the year here. I have had no problems what so ever with it. Oil pressure is always spot on whether hot or cold. It' was recommended to me for our climate and the fact the car is 16 years old. I have to add though my daily drive not a mini.

[jaydee]

Is the car A-series with shared gearbox?

[Artful Dodger]

Sorry mate but normal cars are completely different to minis:P. the oil is shared between the engine and the gearbox in a mini. Normal cars have engine oil and gearbox oil. A much better lubrication system! A 20w50 mineral oil is the only oil that can be in a mini engine for long periods (apart from racers, as already said)

I think that you could stay with the oil you are using. Get rid of any oil coolers and when you store it over night try to keep it warm ( or above murderously cold!) when you start the engine up the oil would start warming up in a few minutes anyway. Just always let it run up for a few minutes before you drive it.

[Marcos Controls]

No it's not a A series, merely pointing out when you said; "thats racing stuff i wouldnt use it on a road car", that my car is a 100% standard production car.

[jaydee]

Its a mini tech forum, do i have to state ''thats mini racing stuff i wouldnt use it on a road mini''?

[pflpfl]

I just bought another engine. I guess that with my worn out current one I'm going to try out the 10W60 stuff. At best it is going to reduce the amount of petrol going into the sump and also make gearchange smoother. Only thing I'm afraid is that the oil pump is not going to be able to keep up good enough pressure. I really should have oil pressure gauge in there...