I know this debate seems to pop up all over the place, but I am still confused and would appreciate the forums feedback, I have drained my oil, removed my 4 litre sump & screw on oil filter,( Also have an oil cooler) but not managed to decide what oil to fill it back up with! Synthetic or mineral then- 10/50 or 20/40 , or 15/40 then what make? All comments really appreciated.

ClassicFiat500 said:

I know this debate seems to pop up all over the place, but I am still confused and would appreciate the forms feedback, I have drained my oil, removed my 4 litre sump & screw on oil filter,( Also have an oil cooler) but not managed to decide what oil to fill it back up with! Synthetic or mineral then- 10/50 or 20/40 , or 15/40 then what make? All comments really appreciated

Click to expand...

Hi, I also have a cooler/spin on filter and once initial running in has been completed with a good old mineral oil I use Mobil 1 10w 60 - it's formulated for older car engines and is classified for racing. For me with these hot running, sometimes tuned engines you need an oil that will cover all the bases and for me you cannot beat it. Prices are moderate on fleabay (try Opie oils) you get what you pay for. My other not so hot engine has survived a thorough rolling road event with little distress and I will continue to use it.
Ian.

An alternative to the 10/60 is a 10/50---both are a good specification oil. I used to use a10/60, but after reading a very good technical article on 10/50 vs 10/60 oils I have stuck to 10/50. I use Millers oil which I purchased from"Opie Oils"---very good service and sensible price

"Everlasting oil!"...that would be great.

If you've read all the subjective opinions that we've all ventured then no wonder you're confused. My preference changes with the wind. Top and bottom of it; no-one here has ever said the wrong oil killed their engine, so it must not be too choosy.

At times my engine has had a cocktail of oils; for instance when I ran low on a very long tour of England and had to take what I was given. For what it's worth, with the 650 engine I think a 15W/40 mineral oil is recommended. I can't see any reason why a synthetic wouldn't do as good, if not a better job....except for one thing. I have been convinced that modern oils...even some of those recommended for classic cars, don't have anything like the proportions of zinc and phosphorus that used to be added to protect our primitive camshafts and followers. So I now insist on researching the zinc and phosphorus content of any oil I use. Currently I'm on a motorcycle oil which doesn't have to conform to motor car standards in that respect. It happens to be 10W50, but I think that the viscosity of your oil is not quite such a critical factor.

Main thing with oil...just keep checking you have some!

I just received a response from Opie Oil for their recommendations
Please see copy paste.
Barry

The best choices are the Fuchs Pro R in either 15w-50 or 20w-50 or Millers Classic High Performance, which are top end ester oils. A synthetic is absolutely fine due to the level of work that has been done to the engine.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68899-fuchs-titan-race-pro-r-15w-50-ester-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69411-fuchs-titan-race-pro-r-20w-50-ester-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-77374-...nce-20w-50-nt-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx

The Valvoline VR1, Millers Classic/Classic Sport, Castrol XL, Silkolene Silkolube and Motul Classic 20w-50 are good cheaper alternatives.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-661-20w-50.aspx

All of those have sufficiently high ZDDP contents (the Pro R actually has far higher ZDDP content than traditional classic oils).

Regards

Tim



Opie Oils



LUBRICANTS & AUTOMOTIVE

Sales & advice: 01209 202944

Customer services: 01209 202949

All other enquiries: 01209 202949



HEATING OIL in CORNWALL:

Sales & All Enquiries: 01209 215164

Yeah last year when we bought the Idea 1.4 16 valve ...I had no Idea what oil to put in it .. I have always been a believer in good oil is important but on the other hand any oil is better than no oil ...but I found very little choice in the shops around here in the far south east of Crete ...but as luck would have it I tracked down a local place that has a regular supply of Eneos 10w40 fully synthetic for 34 Euros for 4 litres ....it seems to fit the bill .

Finished up buying from Opie Oils very helpful Fuchs Titan Race Pro R 15W-50 Ester Fully Synthetic Engine Oil - 5 Litre hopefully made the right decision.

Currently using Motul 20w-60 in my highly modified 750cc engine. Was recommended by the engine builder and so far the engine runs and sounds great.