It does not have an APi spec though, but bear in mind that these engines were designed in the late 70's early 80's, so can it be worse than what was available then?
I am using mobil 15-40 from Halfords. but it is three times the price.
Like covkid, I would change the oil and keep it golden all the time. Just changing the filter at yearly intervals, with two or three oil changes, and the one filter change.
You can still get oil around that kind of price in some places - nowt wrong with it. A worn engine might benefit from less noisy cam followers with a slightly thicker oil but thats about it. Again its all about regular changes - best treatment you can give your engine.
I find when I use 20W/50 (Halfords own brand in green tin @ £15 for 5l) the old chap tends to burn less oil. I compression tested the pistons and they are all on the nose bar one which is so marginal I don't mind, but thinner oil just slips past the rings as they weren't designed for such viscosity. So over the 1000 miles or so between changes the £ per mile works out better as I rarely have to top up.
Wynn's 'engine stop leak' is a friend you could make...
I get my 20/50 from GSF, and along with a Mann oil filter it comes to £14.21 inc the vat - I've got the receipt in front of me, it's not from memory! It's made by Morris and the API says SF/CC, whatever that means, and it goes very well in my 2ltr Aircooled thanks. Top stuff in fact.
It's true, that engines hardly ever fail because of the wrong oil, just low or old oil kills them. 15/40 is great for the WBX and as it gets older, 20/50
Laurie wrote:It's true, that engines hardly ever fail because of the wrong oil, just low or old oil kills them. 15/40 is great for the WBX and as it gets older, 20/50
Havn't you got that the wrong way around?
Surely a thicker oil in the summer will stave off the dreaded flickering red light..
Changed for 15/40 along with filter from gsf, oil was 15 quid incl vat, not half as noisy now, and think with a run it will improve, but no can do as yet as no mot!
Ta!
Change it regularly and you should be fine. I have a vague recollection from my early days with bugs that oil needs changing more frequently if you do regular and consistent short runs - and to some extent that was backed up by the emergence of scum inside the filler cap. Either way, you don't need mega-expensive oil - its changing it regular that matters most. In fact noisy tappets/followers can be an indication it needs new fresh oil. No matter what oil you use, over time it goes thin so regular changes are essential.
I generally change it every four to six months, and certainly before a long haul anywhere (ie weeks away). Mr Supermarket Oil or GSF is more than adequate for the purpose.
