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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - NAPA engine oil

I'm trying to buy more locally and my local motor factor has Bosch oil filters in stock but the engine oil (20w/50) is branded NAPA. It's supposedly made by Valvoline but I've never heard of it - has anyone used it and is it any good? It's £24.10 for 5 litres but needs to be ordered - available later today!
They have Valvoline racing 20w/50 on the shelves for £36 for 5 litres as an alternative.
Jeremy MkIII

Seen the name as sponsors on touring cars but no idea what they are like. Think they are an American company.

Trev
T Mason

Thanks Trev; that would make sense as the motor factors although still having their original name, were taken over by a US company a while ago, along with many others it seems. Same practice happening with local builders merchants and veterinary practices.
Jeremy MkIII

Yes, NAPA is a large retail auto parts company here in the US. For a number of years they were considered one of the better, professional grade parts companies and many mechanics used them because of the higher quality of parts they stocked. Quality seems to have dropped off over the last twenty years and, now, they are about the same quality as those companies dealing mainly with hobbiests. Their oil should be fine. Les
Les Bengtson

Cheers Les and thanks for the information especially about the oil.
So trying to buy local isn't all it seems any more!
Jeremy MkIII

Jeremy
Even Valvoline isn't a local for you, it is/was an American brand as well but has been bought out by The Saudi Arabian Oil Company ('Aramco')
William Revit

"So trying to buy local isn't all it seems any more"

Jeremy, buy local will atleast help your local shops staying alive.
Alternative is buying online...

I try to buy as much localy as possible but sometimes have to fall back on online buys.
Im not as bad as Greta ;) but it does bother me that everybody is so green & enviromentaly nowadays while still ordering(and returning) so much online causing somany extra vans on the road for delivery...

Its a mad world out there, more concerned about a green image then actualy think things thrue and work on it.
A de Best

Yep Willy, it seems so but they do/did have a depot in nearby Birkenhead 😊 including Valvoline Nederland Arie!

With both local vet practices being bought out by US companies and the local builders merchants now a Huws Gray branch, truly local shops are becoming a rare beast.

Amongst all this a new shop has opened in the village, on the site of a closed RBS branch, which sells just about everything for the home - a real Arkwright's type of shop and seems to be doing well.
Jeremy MkIII

A key consideration should be ZDDP additive content for suitability in flat tappet engines. I have not seen a NAPA offering for classic cars.
Glenn Mallory

Thanks Glenn, that's very interesting.
I had a VW Type 2 with a type 4 engine. There was a lot of discussion on the VW forum about using oil with a high ZDDP content and how necessary it was for these air cooled, flat tappet engines.
I used a multigrade 20w/50 with 1500 parts of ZDDP per million.
I didn't think a high ZDDP content was as necessary with the A series water cooled but it can't do any harm can it?🤔 (I still have some left😊!)
Jeremy MkIII

I was told to use a high ZDDP oil if I changed it by my VW garage and the car is a 54 plate 1.9 TDI Passat.
David Billington

Ok David it seems the same advice applies to modern VWs as well; the plot thickens🤔!
This is the site Rye Oils where I get mine from
https://www.ryeoil.co.uk/shop/classic-20w50-engine-oil-2/
Jeremy MkIII

The ZDDP reduction mandated by environmental authorities came virtually unannounced and cost me a recently rebuilt A engine. The cam lobes and lifters were heavily scored. Unless using a classic car oil, it is definitely necessary to use a ZDDP additive to avoid destruction of the the cam and lifters.
Glenn Mallory

This thread was discussed between 29/05/2024 and 08/06/2024

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