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MG MGF Technical - Quick question – oil capacity.

I’m off to Halfords on my way home from work to buy some oil (Castrol Edge 0W-30). I’ve just noticed that the stuff I want is in 4 Litre packs. Has anyone got a owners handbook handy? If so what is the oil capacity on a ’05 TF135? My luck it will be 4.3 litres and I’ll have to buy a 1 Litre top-up too. Thanks.
MG Mike

'fraid it's 5.5l mike

mgjohn
John Thomas

And you want 0W-40 and not 0W-30 as it's too light.
Blue Pocket Rocket

“And you want 0W-40 and not 0W-30 as it's too light.”
I’m sorry “Blue Pocket Rocket” but I don’t agree, and not according to Castrol’s own website, they list;-
Model MG: MG TF 1.8 K Series Year 2002-
Castrol's best oil for your vehicle EDGE 0W-30
Or…
Alternative recommendation GTX MAGNATEC 5W-30
Both of these oils have the same high temperature viscosity rating of 30, Castrols ‘best’ oil (EDGE 0W-30) has a lower cold temperature viscosity, not too important in the UK but a good indication of a better viscosity index (hence the price!).
The thinner oil at low temperature is preferred to speed lubrication of the overhead cams and valve-train when the engine is first started. Too high a viscosity at the working temperature (40 as you suggest) would not provide sufficient lubrication for close tolerances / bearing clearances on a low mileage engine. It would be appropriate to switch to 0W-40 when the engine has got 90K miles on it or if it was specially built for racing with increased bearing clearances.
Anyway, looks like I got to buy TWO 4 Litre packs, that’s 80 quid on just oil!
MG Mike

Yes they do but Rover have quoted 10w-40 for all MGF engines. Interestingly Castrol recommend 0w-40 for the VVC - I wonder why?
Blue Pocket Rocket

Mike,

Recently had a service and I'm currently using Mobil 0/40 and when I passed it to the garage, I handed over a 4l and 1l pack and got most of the 1l back (its currently just under the 'max' so I've not topped it up).

You'll have to let us know what you think of the the stuff as I was tempted myself.

john
john ip

>> Interestingly Castrol recommend 0w-40 for the VVC - I wonder why? <<

Isn't the VVC actuator operated on oil pressure? If so, I suspect that this is the reason for the different oil spec.
Rob Bell

Rob,

Doesn't the VVC rev higher than the standard K?

john
john ip

it says in the manual 4.5ltrs with an oil & filter change. thats what i always put in & its spot on the max. i have always used magnatec 10/40 on my 1.8i mgf.

steve.
Steve MGF75LE

John, yes - a rev limit of 6750 versus 7250. And possibly another reason for the different recommendation for oil as you imply :o)
Rob Bell

Well I put the oil in and changed the filter last night, took just over 4 litre, so one full can of £42 oil and about a egg cup full from another £42 can, it that good or bad marketing?

Took the car for a spin, to circulate the oil and fill the filter, was noticeably quieter on the new oil, but then it usually is on any ‘new’ oil. I don’t think I’ll notice any mpg or performance changes, as claimed by the manufacturers, as even 5% decrease in fuel consumption is so small, that it would not be noticed.

The greatest noted difference in previous cars when changing to this type of oil, has been the drop in ‘normal’ engine running temperature, so I’m hoping to see that in the TF, I’ll post my findings in due course.
MG Mike

Just to add confusion - the Castrol website also says they recommend 10W/60 for the Lotus Elise 18i and VVC, no alternative. Strange?
Last year it recommended different grades for the ZS180 and ZT190! Even stranger! Been corrected now though.
Steve T

Karting is all I know but I can tell you that we use Halfords own brand of engine oil in a 'proper' 4 stroke kart engine that revs upto 18000 rpm with no problems and no burning like some 'cheaper' oils. If there was a problem with their oil we would know about it because the engine spends a lot of its time above 8000 rpm (what a lot of cars red line at). HTH.
The Bandit

The Bandit,

Used to have a 220 Coupe in which I used Halford 0/40 and didn't find any problems with it (did use Mobil as I do now but the old girl used to drink 1/2 a litre a week!)

Only decided to switch back to mobil for piece of mind in the TF.

john

john
john ip

Oh, forgot to add, tried the recommended magnetec 10/40 in the 220 and found it too noisy when cold but also noticed that the engine ran cooler with the 0/40 as mentioned by MG Mike.

john
john ip

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2006 and 27/07/2006

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