Classic Motor Oil

[swimmer27]

I know there has been much discussion regarding engine oil so I thought I would ask opinions on the following oil I came accross whilst in Halfords yesterday.
The oil is advertised as Classic Motor Oil 20w 50 for cars up to the late 80's, it's not synthetic of even part synthetic but seeing as the 2.9 v6 is old engineering etc would you think this oil would be ok especially if changed often?

[ketvrin]

I'd be surprised if you need oil aimed at cars with older technology than the Cologne. Millers also do a Classic oil and they talk about pre-80's engine technology... see here for their description of application.

http://www.millersoils.net/1_Millers_frame_CLASSIC...

personally I have found Millers Mineral Oil to be a good choice - Trident 15W40... recommended for use in older high mileage engines - scroll down this page past the Semi's...

http://www.millersoils.net/1_Millers_frame_AUTO_WH...

I change my oil annually so mileage is not an issue. Its not expensive and doesnt leak as much as the thinner oils and makes the engine a lot quieter (top end)

everyone to their own choice of course...

K

[swimmer27]

http://www.millersoils.net/1_Millers_frame_CLASSIC...

personally I have found Millers Mineral Oil to be a good choice - Trident 15W40... recommended for use in older high mileage engines - scroll down this page past the Semi's...

http://www.millersoils.net/1_Millers_frame_AUTO_WH...

Thanks for the links, through using the search facility I noticed quite a few favour the 50w grade presumably for hot weather / high engine temperatures etc.

[ketvrin]

swimmer27 said:

I noticed quite a few favour the 50w grade presumably for hot weather / high engine temperatures etc.

It might be for the reduction in leaks and quieter tappets it depends on how you use your car and whether high performance oil is considered essential or not.

no doubt someone will be along to recommend Mobil One or Magnatec or whizz-bang soon as they absolutely need it...

K

[blues3]

I thought the top tip for noisy tappets was rocker box sawdust.......John.

[wizzer]

The plate attached to the car on my S2 states Century Synthetic oil to be used. Century are no longer in business, where bought out by Fuchs Oil. There is no way that mineral, or even semi synthetic oils should be used in the 2.9 Cologne engine, they where designed to use high spec. oil. Surely for the sake of £45 it is not worth risking ones PJ, even if you do only 2000 miles per year. These engines are good for 150,000 miles if regular oil changes are made useing good quality synthetic oil. I would recommend anyone buying any sort of performance car to have an oil analayis done, and if the manufacturer specifies synthetic oil and the test shows this has not been adhered to then leave wellenough alone for the engine will be subject to an early demise. Just my opinion of course! Some one will be along now who has used Halfords cheapest 20w/40 for years and their TIVS still going great guns. There is always the exception to the rule!!

[swimmer27]

Some one will be along now who has used Halfords cheapest 20w/40 for years and their TIVS still going great guns. There is always the exception to the rule!!
[/quote]
Funny you should say that as my Dad purchased his Mk 4 Cortina new in 1978 I then took it over in 1985 when he passed away then I owned it until 1998 when it had over 200,000 miles on the clock still with original engine! The oil my dad use was Duckhams I remember it being green in colour then during my ownership I used Castrol GTX so nothing fancy also my 2.8 injection Capri did a similar mileage this was only sold 5 years ago and again original engine and non synthetic too.

My Sister has a BMW M5 and according to her Husband he uses nothing special but changes it twice a year.

[phillpot]

swimmer27 said:

The oil my dad use was Duckhams I remember it being green in colour .

Bought a can of this to try in the S (mainly to see if it would help reduce the tappet noise) it'a also green just like the good old Duckhams. Note the reccommended mileage between changes, 2000 - 3000. My diesel Vectra does 20000 mile service intervals.

a little off topic but many years ago my brother work at Broadspeed, at the time they were running the Castrol sponsored Dolomite Sprints. I was reliably informed Ralph Broad would have nothing other than Duckhams in his engines no matter who the sponsor was!

[wizzer]

There is no doubt that Duckhams was the high tech oil of the day and well suited to engines of the day. In the late 60's my father in law and I raced a Alfa and in the early 70's a BMW 2002 and would use nothing but Duckhams. It needed to be changed after every race, or couple of thousend miles or so in a road car. Modern synthetics will last 15000 no trouble they have the right addatives to maintain engine health, they just dont break down under stress and have a high degree of 'stickyness' to coat all the surfaces which prevents wear on start up which is even more important on a car which is not used as a daily. Mobil 1 or Valvoline are my oil of choice, choice being the operative word.

Edited by wizzer on Tuesday 6th December 08:26

[ketvrin]

I told you...

K

[wizzer]

I did it just for you!!

[swimmer27]

Some one will be along now who has used Halfords cheapest 20w/40 for years and their TIVS still going great guns. There is always the exception to the rule!!
[/quote]
Funny you should say that as my Dad purchased his Mk 4 Cortina new in 1978 I then took it over in 1985 when he passed away then I owned it until 1998 when it had over 200,000 miles on the clock still with original engine! The oil my dad use was Duckhams I remember it being green in colour then during my ownership I used Castrol GTX so nothing fancy also my 2.8 injection Capri did a similar mileage this was only sold 5 years ago and again original engine and non synthetic too.

My Sister has a BMW M5 and according to her Husband he uses nothing special but changes it twice a year.

[Roy C]

phillpot said:

swimmer27 said:

The oil my dad use was Duckhams I remember it being green in colour .

Bought a can of this to try in the S (mainly to see if it would help reduce the tappet noise) it'a also green just like the good old Duckhams.

Halfords Classic is also "Duckhams" green. I wonder if it's the same stuff Comma sell?

[carsy]

I have also read that Halfords own oil is Comma`s, just re packaged.

[swimmer27]

On another post I had mentioned I had just moved so whilst unpacking yet another box of garage stuff I found an old Slick 50 sticker, I now remember using this in the Cortina and the Capri! perhaps it helped both my engines exceed 200,000 miles, I will never know.
I suppose if these additives are any good they would be included in the oils we buy.

Edited by swimmer27 on Tuesday 6th December 09:34

[markbigears]

In my old allegro, God rest her soul, I used my fathers "tug oil" .... there's a joke in there somewhere

[macL]

Previous discussion on this subject was 20th & 21st June
a quite a few owners seem to prefer the thicker mineral oil 20-50 or 15-50
I suppose it boils down to how you drive how much you drive the car and how
often you change the oil

[phillpot]

Need more advice ?

............. clicky

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi All
I gave these a call, nice man sorted me out in a wiz, nice price

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/


Alan

[wizzer]

What did they suggest?