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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oil consumption with Mobil 1

Just FYI.

In an earlier thread I reported using a lot of oil after changing to Mobile 1. A lot of you had used/were using Mobil 1 and seemed OK with it. Just to update the topic (via this new thread), I have changed to Halfords Classic 20/50 oil and my oil consumption has dropped dramatically. A 100 mile round trip to Donington Park this weekend with a mix of high speeds (80+) on the M42 and around urban roads resulted in no oil being consumed (with Mobil 1 that would be half way down the dip stick!).

Chris (it hurt to throw away that Mobil 1)
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

which Mobil 1 were you using? they do quite a few these days...
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30
Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30
Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-20
Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60
Mobil 1 Fuel Economy 0W-30

Mobil 1 ESP 0W-40
David Smith

Extended life 10W-60. It was the '60' bit of the spec that attracted me.
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

I've been using Comma Classic 20/50 and any loss is through leakage rather than burning but have now seen this
http://tinyurl.com/cejsv5p
has anyone any experience of using it?
Jeremy
Jeremy 3

MOTORWAY 20w50 MULTIGRADE MOTOR OIL
APPLICATION
• A traditional multigrade suitable for older higher mileage petrol and non-turbo charged diesel
engines.
SPECIFICATIONS:
• SAE 20w50
TYPICAL INSPECTION DATA:
Specific gravity at 20°C 0.880
Viscosity @ 100°C 17.9 cSt
Viscosity @ 40°C 160 cSt
Viscosity Index 120
Viscosity CCS @ -15°C 8000 cP

Looks alright to me.
Lawrence Slater

Thanks Lawrence,
might give it a whirl and see how it compares.
Jeremy
Jeremy 3

Chris,
thanks for posting, very interesting

I put in Mobil 1 0w-40 New Life but forgot to fully top it up to the max mark on the dipstick and left it around the three quarters

I done a weekend tour including a pre-visit to Peter Burgess and his rollers, very steady motorway driving, playing with a big Healey and Honda S2000 at a suitable pace, runs up and down the high roads - 750 miles in total

I feel some oil was used/lost but it was negligible and I couldn’t tell how much from the dipstick as it was still at three-quarters

I also forgot to check my motorway and overall mpg after the rolling road set but it seemed better – my attention was taken with new windscreen wipers and arms that didn’t work through the rain but that’s another story
Nigel Atkins

as there are two threads I'll post info in from other thread:-

Well Daniel and Peter and others were quite right

and - I was wrong - to try

Mobil 1 0w-40 New Life seems too thin (for summer use at least)

exactly as Daniel had warned I got a dip in oil pressure on a hot day after a fast run and suddenly stopping on a steep slope

I've not noticed any consumption issues but have noticed my oil dropped on the ground even if it doesn't show on the dipstick

I used Mobil 1, up to 20 years ago, in my previous Spridget and thought it was 0w-40 but perhaps I remebered wrong about the numbers but certainly I used Mobil 1 15w-50 to very good effect

so as Chris H has reported increased consumption and leaks when using Mobil 1 10w-60 Extended Life that doesn't seem to be the answer

I'm going back to the now discontinued Mobil 1 15w-50 by buying some of the last stock whilst it's available

in summary I should have listen to Daniel, Peter and others but I thought it might only effect more powerful and tuned Spridgets than mine - and I've not noticed an increase in oil consumption but the leakage has slightly increased
Nigel Atkins

I would echo Laurence's comment a reasonable 20/50 works fine. I used just over a pint (sorry old money) on a round trip to Angouleme. The engine is over 15 years old. its a bit thicker on cold days but not too serious. Can't really see the need to change.
Bob Beaumont

I was using Castrol or Halfords 20/50 but it made starting the car sluggish last winter plus a little more power and fuel economy can be handy and saves changing thev oil so frequently (depending on how often you normally do this of course)
Nigel Atkins

as there are two threads on the same subject I'll also post here for the sake of Archive look ups -

I've now refilled NOS discontinued Mobil 1 15W-50 Motorsport

as I had no problem with consumption of the 0W-40 New Life I don't expect it with the 15W-50 but I will report on this if I do

Lawrence will be pleased to know the 15W-50 is already over 4 years old (made 14/04/08) before it went in the engine
Nigel Atkins

Coincidentally, I ordered the MOTORWAY 20w50 MULTIGRADE MOTOR OIL on Sunday via ebay and it arrived today FOC to my office by courier. Not this ebay seller but a similar price.
frogeye Gary

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2012 and 07/06/2012

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