repairs to moggy

[Bootneck]

Hi,

Does any one know of a repair garage for my Morris 1000, I live in Carmarthen West wales ?

[bmcecosse]

What's wrong with it?

[Bootneck]

Hi,

Seems to be losing coolant, I have not got a gauge on it so I have to be very vigilant with the coolant at the moment. also what engine oil SA ? its a 1964 Morris Minor 1000 should be best used.

[bmcecosse]

First off - don't fill the rad right to the top! It will always drop a couple of inches....If you don't see water dripping...don't worry! Use 20W50 oil from Wilko/Morrisons etc. It's perfectly ok for the A series engine.

[Bootneck]

Hi,
Many thanks for your advise, will follow them.

[chickenjohn]

Use a decent quality 20W50 with an API rating, that way you know you are using an oil with the necessary additives to protect the engine and not cheap rubbish filtered from the council re-cycling tank!

[Bootneck]

The Halfords shop assistant checked on the computer the year and make of car and it said I needed 15W/40 mineral motor oil with API SL CF CF-4. On coming home on small print it says its for cars built between mid 1980's and early 1990's. Is this still OK for me to use in my car?

[LouiseM]

No. As stated above, you need to use 20w/50 oil. If you're stuck for an alternative local supplier, Halfords sell their own brand of 20w/50 classic car oil so take the other oil back and change it

[dalebrignall]

use any 20/50 oil what the computer told the shop assistant is way to thin .

[bmcecosse]

The Wilko/Morrison stuff is fine for a Minor - recycled or not! It has been filtered and vacuum treated - and additives will have been added to make the 20W50 rating. Just don't expect it to last for ever. However the B&Q 20W50 seemingly does have a 'rating' and is reasonably priced - so perhaps that's the way forward. Learn the lesson from your Hellfrauds visit! And be sure to change the filter - take care to not lose the plate and spring below the paper cartridge.......

[chickenjohn]

No, 20W/50 is merely the viscosity at different temperatures, it says nothing about the additives. With no API rating you have no additives, so use these cheap re-cycled oils only on a knackered engine. Wilko cheap oil is NOT fine for a Minor engine if the engine is in reasonable condition.

http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm

[bmcecosse]

It's never let me down ! But I accept if you can get a 'rated' oil (ie the B&Q) for the same price - may as well go for that!

[ASL642]

It depends on how you value your engine. A new engine will cost you £900++ a few £'s spent on good oil will protect the one you have.

[MarkyB]

That's a bit strong!
Plenty of people use cheap oil and aren't constantly having to rebuild thier engines.

[bmcecosse]

Exactly! The important thing is have plenty oil in the engine - and don't expect it to last for ever. The economy oils have served my engines very well for many many years now. Don't worry about it being 'recycled' - your drinking water has been recycled many many times.......