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MG MG Y Type - Which oil for Jackall?

I noticed the level halfway down and the car come with a tin of red jackall fluid, not sure if its the contents were genuine but it was red. So now I only have a bit left.
Two question's -

1. If I change to a Hyd jack oil, probably different colour etc is it ok to mix or should I drain the entire system of the existing oil first and start fresh?

2. What oil should I use? I'm in NZ so some oils wont be the same as yours. I read on a different forum that Hydraulic Jack oil is best, some people use motorbike Fork oil and some use Auto Trans fluid.

What do you use?
K Weeds

Non-foaming motor cycle fork oil Kevin.

Please see https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/technical.shtml#Jackall_Fluid

Paul
Paul Barrow

Thanks Paul.
What about mixing it especially when I dont know what the red oil in there is?
K Weeds

Any Automatic Transmission Fluid, ATF, try Mercon type. Is non-foaming, and will not hurt seals.
... CR
CR Tyrell

I have read some people use ATF, its a lot cheaper than Fork Oil
K Weeds

Coming in late to this, as I've just put up a damper oil post for Anton.

ISO VG 46 oil.

For your neck of the woods Penrite, their 'Shocker Oil No. 1', they state - "Also ideal in vehicles with a built in central jacking system such as the “Jackall System”."
https://www.penriteoil.com.au/assets/pis/SHOCKER%20OILS%20MAY%202015.pdf

As for mixing, if its oil and oil it's fine but the more of the old oil (and crud?) you can get out the better as oil and additives do age plus the more old oil out the less the dilution of the new fresh oil.

I would always drain completely and start with fresh again that way it's all new at a date and quality that you know. Plus it gives the chance to see the quality of the old oil, if you know how long it's been in that is, and to see if any contaminants and bits are in with the oil giving you some idea of the state of innards.
Nigel Atkins

Anyone know how much oil is needed to fill a newly refurbished jackall system.
cheers
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

Thanks Nigel, thats a good point.

What is the easiest process to drain all the fluid out and start a fresh?

I found a 20 litre pack in the back of my shed un opened that I have had for 20 years. See the photo, its Hydraulic oil ISO grade 46 and best of all the price is right!
Considering the jacks virtually never get used.

Stuart, I'll let you know what they hold if if I drain mine.

K Weeds

My comment on draining was more general but on drains I get out as much old oil as possible have a look at it for its condition and bits in it and then use a small quantity of fresh new oil as a type of quick flush and drain that off too.

If you know the dry fill capacity then that plus a bit for for flush should do.

For your 20 year old oil I'd give it a good shake up and/or stir before using and have the oil container sitting in a black container of hot water in the sun just to help with flow and filling (and possibly fill level).

Attached is a PDF I found with a quick search and it's from this very site!, "Originally published in Motoring Magazine in December 1953".

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/pdf/mot1253.pdf
Nigel Atkins

Nigel, thats an excellent PDF and good idea to warm the oil and flush.

Thanks so much
K Weeds

This thread was discussed between 11/08/2021 and 20/08/2021

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