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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rotella Engine Oil - 15-40W


I have read that this particular oil brand (both regular / synthetic and blends of each) - has an above average amount of zinc related additives that are beneficial to solid lifter and camshaft engines.

It apparently is popular with the diesel engine folks - but I have NOT heard much about this product for use in our "some what tired" British iron vehicles.

I usually purchase Castrol 20-50W oil - but am thinking about making a switch to this brand as a "test case"

Any thoughts?
Anyone out there ever use this?
Want to offer any opinion and/or downsides of moving away from Castrol?

Thanks for any "slippery" advice on this issue.

Mike
Buffalo, NY
>>>>>>>>>>

Mike Pelone

Mike,

I believe what you say about Rotella T and the ZDDP (zinc) content being higher was true up until about 3 years ago. Then the ZDDP was reduced in the diesel oils as well. I think you will see it in the rating, which I seem to remember was C-4 for the reduced ZDDP. However, I don't know the actual numbers for the zinc concentration, so it might be worth your while to do a little research.

Charley
C R Huff

It used to be popular as a transmission lubricant for high power 2 stroke motorcycles such as enduro and race bikes. I always understood this was owing to it offering exceptional wear protection, but it needed frequent changes. I guess because its shear stability isn't as good as - say - hypoid oils.
Greybeard

Mike,
people can get too hung up about ZDDP or the amount needed. Oil additive packages can contain over advantageous ingredients and anyway what is the correct amount of ZDDP required and what exactly was the amount used back in the day bearing in mind the supplement of the rest of the modern additives packages might not have been included back then.

If the ZDDP level was reduced in Rotella T could it be that previously it was more than enough for your use and even now remains sufficient or more so. Possibly the additive package has been changed meaning it doesn't need the previously higher level of ZDDP, as Charley put you might need to research but bear in mind straight figures might not tell the whole story, oil is a very complicated component and subject (same with tyres).

You might be better getting an oil suited or designed for 60s/70s cars with high ZDDP figure or at least comparing the figures but bear in mind your engine doesn't just live on ZDDP.

Some links if you're interested to delve further, varying views which not all I agree with -

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/index.htm

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/enginetext.htm#oils

ETA: 40 weight oil would probably be too low to use in our cars unless perhaps cold weather use.
Nigel Atkins

Mike,

in my air cooled VW I'm trying Haslo 15W40 specifically because it has a higher ZDDP than others and as it performs both lubricating and cooling duties, the oil has a hard time.
It's only been in a month so too early to say how it performs, no increase in consumption and appearance is still as new but mileage is low. The engine has hydraulic lifters and they settle down soon after starting just as they did with a 20W50. No extra leaks either!
http://www.halso.co.uk/products/vw-air-cooled-engine-oils/
Jeremy MkIII

This is or was a popular choice even a few long winded debates on it in the archives if you want to venture there

But as mentioned above the zddp was reduced or removed completly

A good vendor in the usa that carries it at the best price is a chain store called (tractor supply)

As an alternative... try looking into buying just the ZDDP compound and add it to your oil... several years ago you could buy the compond or a version of it

Its hard to beat castrol 20/50 thats all i use in my 1275

Castrol also makes a high milage oil thats really good for high milage engines

Note ... if the engine is new or newer... dont use the modern new oils with anti wear compounds... it will cause glazing on the rings and cly walls and you will get alot of premature blow by then you have to tear it apart deglaze the cly walls and rering the pistons
1 Paper

The oil is liked on the bobstheoilguy forum.

Thats where you go to read used oil anlysis sheets if you have a problem sleeping.

If you are going to change form a 20W/50 and I do not have an opinion either way. OK I do but I will keep quiet.

What particular problem is the Castrol product giving you that requires to be addressed. I just like going out in a drop top car and only change the oil when required to go out on it again.
Eddie Cairns


No, the Rotella is NOT part of a Master Lubrication Plan. The Castrol 20/50W seems very adequate - I was just concerned about the issue of solid lifter wear & tear on my 44 year old camshaft...

No immediate plans to tear down the 1275 - this was just an exercise in discovering what other Folks across The Pond have done to keep their old British iron on the road.

I hate to say this but...in the USA, I see no future demand from the younger demographic for these vehicles. The inroads made by the Miatas plus those Kids driving those hot Asian hatchbacks are softening the market for our MGs. Just go to any Summer car show in the local Picnic Grove and it looks like an Old Folks Home...more gray hair than you can shake a comb at...

Maybe in the very Long Run both the cars and their owners are dead...

I'll get my hat and depart the room...

Mike
Buffalo, NY
>>>>>>>>>>
Mike Pelone

This is the exact oil I use in my diesel tractor.

"I see no future demand from the younger demographic for these vehicles".

Yes, no one seems willing to pay me the (ridiculously) high price I'm asking for my almost 40 year old wiring and emissions control nightmare... Go figure.

I'll just get me coat...
Richard Reeves

The young crowd do like them, i get looks all the time, but i think its the fact these cars need constant atten is a turn off and the high cost to own one for parts plus the younger crowd dont like to drive like they used to and its bruttaly expensive to own cars for younger people

Times are a changing....its not just ours, but acrosss the board
1 Paper

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2017 and 24/05/2017

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