Rover v8 Oil choice
Discussion
Apologies if you're all bored of this type of thread already, but I couldn't find anything conclusive searching old threads. OK, for a Rover v8 (500 if that makes any difference) what are the pro's and cons of the factory spec oil (thinner Mobil 1 10-40) or Mobil 1 Motorsport (15-50 I think). I got the impression that people use Motorsport to reduce oil usage, and couldn't find any major disadvantages of it. However, a specialist has recently told me that he's only ever used and seen the thinner Mobil 1 product in the v8, so much so, that when I provided Motorsport for the service, he didn't use it. This isn't meant to be a dig at the specialist, because they're been great, I was just wondering whether I was _that_ far out with my choice of oil.
thanks!
thanks!
ok,one last time for me on my 
all the following imho of course.i think youre dead right to choose 15-50 motorsport mobil 1.i only use this oil for the following reasons.1)15-50 will give better protection when hot compared to 0-40.2)it is true it may take fractionally loger to circulate around the engine on start up,but to me thats outweighed by the slower drain down time from when engine isnt in use(dont use my griff everyday)so the top of my engine is better protected from st/up anyway.3)the fact that it has a greater strain on the starter than 0-40 is true,but unfortunately most starters on these cars die from massive heat exposure long before they would have otherwise worn out from just starting so its irrelivent to me.4)lower oil consumption than 0-40,5)greater oil pressure 6)until modern fully synthetics were introduced the correct oil for the rv8 was 20-50,tvr handook says 0-50 so i think 15-50 is closest to correct spec anyway(at least hot viscosity is correct)with 0-40 cold and hot viscosity is out of tvr spec.the few people i know and trust on this matter(main dealer,specialist and local mechanic)all say definately 15-50 not 0-40 on this engine.its worth reading the 'under pressure' thread on this one also.hope this helps!cheers-mv
all the following imho of course.i think youre dead right to choose 15-50 motorsport mobil 1.i only use this oil for the following reasons.1)15-50 will give better protection when hot compared to 0-40.2)it is true it may take fractionally loger to circulate around the engine on start up,but to me thats outweighed by the slower drain down time from when engine isnt in use(dont use my griff everyday)so the top of my engine is better protected from st/up anyway.3)the fact that it has a greater strain on the starter than 0-40 is true,but unfortunately most starters on these cars die from massive heat exposure long before they would have otherwise worn out from just starting so its irrelivent to me.4)lower oil consumption than 0-40,5)greater oil pressure 6)until modern fully synthetics were introduced the correct oil for the rv8 was 20-50,tvr handook says 0-50 so i think 15-50 is closest to correct spec anyway(at least hot viscosity is correct)with 0-40 cold and hot viscosity is out of tvr spec.the few people i know and trust on this matter(main dealer,specialist and local mechanic)all say definately 15-50 not 0-40 on this engine.its worth reading the 'under pressure' thread on this one also.hope this helps!cheers-mv
Mongoose - 'Under Pressure' thread?
I'm not really sure what to do with the Motorsport oil now, suppose it'll have to wait for another 6,000 miles, and hope he agrees with me by then!
Thanks for the explanation - most helpful.
Perhaps we need a FAQ for each of these forums (Ted), stop newbies like myself asking daft questions!
I'm not really sure what to do with the Motorsport oil now, suppose it'll have to wait for another 6,000 miles, and hope he agrees with me by then!
Thanks for the explanation - most helpful.
Perhaps we need a FAQ for each of these forums (Ted), stop newbies like myself asking daft questions!
There is four hundred pages of FAQs in the bible including several pages on why the oil police will come round your house and confiscate your car if you don't follow the current religious preference.
To be honest for every bit advice over oil I have seen, there are well documented and logical counterarguments. In the end use a good oil preferably synthetic so that it resists heat better and change it regularly. Check the oil levels frequently and don't worry. Mobil 1 is not going to cause the engine to dissolve in front of your eyes. To be honest whale blubber oil is actually the best stuff. If it was good enough for Otto Diesel, its good enouigh for me
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
To be honest for every bit advice over oil I have seen, there are well documented and logical counterarguments. In the end use a good oil preferably synthetic so that it resists heat better and change it regularly. Check the oil levels frequently and don't worry. Mobil 1 is not going to cause the engine to dissolve in front of your eyes. To be honest whale blubber oil is actually the best stuff. If it was good enough for Otto Diesel, its good enouigh for me
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve,
Read the bible, and the frequently asked questions. However, I still think it'd be a good idea to have some of the FAQ's attached to each section on Pistonheads. I'm sure things like power output of v8's vs quoted figures, tyre choice, oil choice, warming up etc etc would save a lot of archiving searching and repeated postings.
I take your point about the oil though, I'm sure there isn't a much it in when it comes to modern synthetics. I read the bible (to the extent that I now spot grammar and spelling mistakes ) and postings on here about oils and was just after further clarification as why the specialists view had conflicted with what I'd read.
Read the bible, and the frequently asked questions. However, I still think it'd be a good idea to have some of the FAQ's attached to each section on Pistonheads. I'm sure things like power output of v8's vs quoted figures, tyre choice, oil choice, warming up etc etc would save a lot of archiving searching and repeated postings.
I take your point about the oil though, I'm sure there isn't a much it in when it comes to modern synthetics. I read the bible (to the extent that I now spot grammar and spelling mistakes
) and postings on here about oils and was just after further clarification as why the specialists view had conflicted with what I'd read. 
I always used a 20/50 oil. Anything less just seemed to be to thin. Mobil 1 was **ap in my engine. The RV8 likes volume. The only 20/50 synthetic oils I could find were Kendal and Amsoil but they were very expensive especially as I had a group A big wing sump to fill. I eventualy settled for a high API spec oil from a local ford dealer and it was great even if it wasn't synthetic.
_DJ_ said: Kendal 20W50 mineral oil in the 520, Mobil 1 Motorsport in the shopping trolley Griff (see, I did read the book!)
The kendal is used primarily because it is resistent to fuel contamination that kills the lubrication qualities. The 520 engine is a bit special and that is the main concern. It overfuels to prevent predetonation and this kills oils very very quickly. I do have to change the oil about everytime the car is used and I get through pallets of the stuff.
_DJ_ said: Kendal 20W50 mineral oil in the 520, Mobil 1 Motorsport in the shopping trolley Griff (see, I did read the book!)
The kendal is used primarily because it is resistent to fuel contamination that kills the lubrication qualities. The 520 engine is a bit special and that is the main concern. It overfuels to prevent predetonation and this kills oils very very quickly. I do have to change the oil about everytime the car is used and I get through pallets of the stuff.
_DJ_ said: Kendal 20W50 mineral oil in the 520, Mobil 1 Motorsport in the shopping trolley Griff (see, I did read the book!)
The kendal is used primarily because it is resistent to fuel contamination that kills the lubrication qualities. The 520 engine is a bit special and that is the main concern. It overfuels to prevent predetonation and this kills oils very very quickly. I do have to change the oil about everytime the car is used and I get through pallets of the stuff.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff