Oil Wieghts?

[CussCuss]

ok im sure this has been asked before, but oil for the starion?

K-mart catalog recommends 10w-40 magnatec? and good or is 20w-50 (what i was usuing) better suited.

and gearbox oil, ive got nfi. Catalog says refer to manual.

oh and



cooler just got mounted :D :D :D

back on the road soon.

[David]

I spoke to a few oil experts over time, and they all generally told me the same thing...

The thinner the oil that will work, the better.

I'm sure if they could, they'd recommend 1-1

I however, use 25-70 I think from memory - very high numbers anyway.
(HPR-40) in my main car, and Mobil 1 (5-50 I think) in my racing car.

The first figure represents what weight oil it works like when cold. The lower the number, the less viscous. It means it flows better around a cold engine, and so provides better protection to the engine parts when starting.

THe second number is how well it performs in a hot engine, and so provides protection when running.

Now remember I said the thinner the better?

The exception is that you don't want the oil film to shear. So long as it remains between the two metal moving parts, you're fine.

If it's too thick, it can sheer from being scraped away. If it's too thin, it can shear from thinness. Either means metal on metal = wear.
That's where the quality bit comes in as well.

The final criteria?

I use a thicker oil in my car because

a) It's worn, and so has bigger gaps for the oil to flow through.
b) It's old, and I never, even push it before it's at normal operating temp.
c) I have a turbo, so my oil get's hotter than most engines.
d) Because my engine is worn, It leats too much oil slip past the seals, and so using a thinner oil means I don't need to add oil as often.

HPR 40 is a pretty good oil as well. Provides adequate protection when I do push it a bit.

Now, In my racing car, I use a really, really thin high quality of oil.
Mobil 1.

Damn expensive, but:

a) The engine is expensive. It is highly modified. I can't just replace it.
I need the best protection I can get.
b) Thinner oil and high quality = best protection at all times.
c) I don't care how much oil it consumes. I replace (change) the oil every 2 to 3 short races, and I'll replace it every rally.

So, in that car, I just use the best I can get (and the one it's always used since the engine was built).

That said, I'm not an expert on oil. I'm just repeating stuff I've heard. I think Ron knows a bit about oil also.

But just find someone from an oil company. Ask them. I know they have a vested interest in their product, but with so many products around, and at a similar price, and from the same manufacturer, there's enough interest in finding the right oil for your purpose. Every oil is different. And the people who sell oil are often kinda geekish about it too.

Oh, the 10-40 would be best. Unless you're using it too quickly, in which case, use 20-50 :)...

Ask about the gearbox oil at the shop as well. Again, some are better than others.

Regards
David

[RiceThief]

Im using hpr15 which is a 15-60 oil (might be 65 cant remember) i use to use mobil 1 when it was 50 a bottle, im thinking about using helix ultra but at 5-40 i think it might be to thin. Penzzoil have a semi sythetic thats 15-50, i think this will be ideal for the starion.

[merlin]

for the gearbox, try Redline MTL 1st choice, or Castrol 75W synthetic 2nd choice. heavier oils then that tend to agravate syncro issues.

a good cheep synthetic engine oil is BP Visco 5000.

but if shes old and slack, 25W-50 anybrand!

[SpidersWeb]

Yeah when my gearbox was rebuilt, they fitted too heavy a gearbox oil. I can't change down to second gear until the gearbox has warmed up without being very careful. Also I can't put the car straight in to Reverse without the gearbox being warm either, have to go 1st->Reverse.

Its a prick. Runs mint once warmed up though.

As for motor oil, I use 10W-40 in both cars.

[CussCuss]

thanks for all the replies ppl, looks like i will be using a bit thicker oil in the motor and a thin one for the gearbox as 2nd gear syncro is on its way out.