Synthetic oil

Discuss anything Morris Minor related.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
Mrshardy
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:41 pm
Location: YO25 4SR
MMOC Member: No

Synthetic oil

Post by Mrshardy »

Hi everyone,
New to owning a Morris Minor. I recently had my Morris Minor (Molly) serviced and they have use a synthetic oil in the engine. Is this is ok as I was led to believe that a synthetic oil should not be used for engines as old as Molly's? The previous owner used a 20w50 mineral.
Looking forward to hearing from you

Mrs Hardy.
SteveClem
Minor Legend
Posts: 1904
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:37 am
Location: Near Belper
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by SteveClem »

I wouldn't use synthetic myself. 20-50 seems to be spot on for A series engines. Enjoy your car!
dalebrignall
Minor Legend
Posts: 2528
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:06 pm
Location: stalbans
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by dalebrignall »

a normal 20/50 mineral oil is fine for the moggy , did they put in a synthetic 20/50
[sig]5641[/sig]
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by bmcecosse »

Unlikely - normal mineral 20W50 is what you want in there. If they put in 10W40 'synthetic' or even worse 5W30 both are TOO THIN for a Minor engine. Tell them to drain it, and refill with the correct oil - at no expense to you.. And find a different garage that actually knows what they are doing for the future....... Have to wonder if they got the filter change correct .... :roll:
ImageImage
Image
67-2door
Minor Fan
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:14 am
Location: Lincoln
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by 67-2door »

Scary :o

plastic_orange
Minor Legend
Posts: 1405
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:34 pm
Location: Broughty Ferry
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by plastic_orange »

Very poor service I'm afraid.

Pete
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/sinky_aps/4e634210.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/sinky_aps/MorrisRain4.jpg[/img]
Mrshardy
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:41 pm
Location: YO25 4SR
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by Mrshardy »

Hi everyone.
Not sure what grade has been put in the engine,will check with gararge first thing on Monday.The gararge in question is approx six miles from were I live, will it be safe to drive?
Thanks very much for your input.
67-2door
Minor Fan
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:14 am
Location: Lincoln
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by 67-2door »

I've never seen synthetic 20/50 so I'm afraid it's likely to be the wrong grade.
Maybe you could phone them first to enquire and then drive it back in to them when they can confirm they've got the correct 20/50 mineral oil & filter to put in?

bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by bmcecosse »

If it is synthetic 20W50 it will be fine - but will have cost you a small fortune - a needless expense. Strictly speaking of course - if they had looked up the original handbook - it tells them to use SAE 30 oil.....so it may be difficult to pin them down to any wrong-doing. It was up to you to tell them what oil you wanted them to use...
ImageImage
Image
MarkyB
Minor Maniac
Posts: 7845
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:18 pm
Location: South East London
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by MarkyB »

I've never seen synthetic 20/50
It exists!
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69411-fuchs ... e-oil.aspx

Not cheap and not what your garage used I'll wager.

"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by bmcecosse »

No - but they may have charged that !! The garage rip-off on oil change costs is unbelievable....charging at the 1/2 litre rate is not unknown..... :cry:
ImageImage
Image
faversham999
Minor Fan
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:49 pm
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by faversham999 »

It will give your engine a good clean so u need to change the filter again

kevin s
Minor Legend
Posts: 1377
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:20 pm
Location: Chelmsford, essex
MMOC Member: No

Re: Synthetic oil

Post by kevin s »

There are 5w50 synthetics out there (mobil 1), they should be OK but complete overkill, the first number is the cold viscosity the second the warm so it is the same when hot but thinner when cold helping cold start and getting the oil around quicker, Sierra and Escort cosworths used this and the yb engine is only a 1960s pinto with a fancy head.

I ran it in my lotus twin cam for a while, the only problem was it leaked even more than usual especially when the engine was cold.

Kevin
Post Reply