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MG MGF Technical - Fully synthetic oil a good option?

Does anyone run on 5W 40 oil?
Does it require much more regular top up (as its thinner)?

Background: My 1997 VVC engine is knocking at 30,000 miles !!. It was stripped down under warranty and the crankshaft bearings were found to be scored. Okay for two weeks but noise now returned.It sounds sweeter when the oil temp. is up to the 80 degree mark (which normally takes 15 miles of driving). My logic suggests that 5w40 may help get oil to penetrate quicker.
Magnatec another option?
Gareth J

Check for movement in the cam (VVC)gears by rocking them(Engine off!!) slight movement in these indicate worn bearings in the VVC mechamism, this creates a knocking noise.A thinner oil will show this more.HTH.
Mike.
mike

Hi,

Gareth, many people here run on Mobil 1 which is 0W-40 and the engine should not require any additional top-up. It is thinner at ambient temperature, which helps the circulation at cold start, but being a 40 weight oil it is no thinner at normal running temperatures than a 10W-40. If your engine is quieter after it has run up to temperature then I don't think that the better cold start capabilities of a 5W or 0W oil will help, as by that time you will be way past building up oil circulation!

Noises are very difficult to diagnose on a BBS (!) so you could try an engine specialist for an opinion. Is Mike near enough to you? I'm sure he will be very reasonable!

Regards, Kes.
Kes

Mike
The dealer had my car for one month whilst they stripped it down and sorted the warranty side.It was ok for a couple of weeks but I was not exceeding 3,000 revs (running in). I am just fed up. Another dose of the dealers would depress me. Should they have picked up on the cam gear bearing wear? (if thats what it is)I am inclined to just let it go for now, as I don't thrash my engine.Its only at tickover that its noticeable.
All the best
Gareth J

Gareth,

Have you thought of Slick 50? Seemed to make my VVC run a 'little' more smoothly and stopped the VVC cut in squeal at 1600 (or was it 2600) rpm.

Chris.
Chris Ponder

ARRGH!!!
Go to Google and look up "Engine Oil Bible", you should find in the first few a page called the engine oil bible, read this, espically the bit about oil additaves before going anywhere near Slick 50, it also has lots of other interesting info
Will Munns

Gareth

Back in God's chosen country then?

I've used Mobil 1 in my 1997 vvc ever since it was run-in it has always sounded like a bag of nails and the dealer said it was normal, so I've learned to live with it as part of the package.

The general opinion around here is that you shouldn't use a synthetic oil too soon, because the wearing parts don't have a chance to bed in.

Chris
Chris

Will,

Thanks for the tip. I've had a look on the site and it is very interesting, not sure if it resolves anything for me though. Yes the guy obviously knows his stuff and there is certainly evidence that the companies have exaggerated the truth with respect to the abilities of their oils, but my own (admitedly anecdotal) evidence/experience over the last 12 years with Slick 50 has shown me that it does do some good. Generally the engines run smoother and quieter and seem to produce an extra 1-2 miles to the gallon (though this has been car dependant). Still based on this maybe I'll try the oil only approach.

Chris.
Chris Ponder

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2002 and 25/03/2002

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