01-20-2016, 02:09 PM
Like most Mini enthusiasts, I want to be sure that my Mini engine gets the best lifeblood. I am quite passionate about oils and have done extensive research on the best oil for the A-Series. The Mini engine is quite a unique animal in that it shares its engine oil with the gearbox. This coupled with the fact that it still employs a "flat tappet" valve train makes it require an oil which has high levels of ZDDP. (Zinc dithiophosphate)
Now older oils had ZDDP in abundance and it was never a problem. Now modern cars with catalytic converters do not like high levels of ZDDP as it blocks the cat. Most modern oils have had the ZDDP content greatly reduced to comply with CAT specifications.
If you use oil specifically made for Classic cars it usually does have a high enough ZDDP content as well as some of the racing oils, Indy oil is one. I also found that the classic oils have a viscosity of 20W50 which is really thick when cold. This is not ideal as you would like to get it circulated as soon as possible and an oil with a lower cold (W) rating would be more suitable.
I have tried a number of oils and to date I can not find anything better (IMHO) than Caltex DELO 400. This oils is made for Diesel but is also applicable to mixed fleet. It has adequate levels of ZDDP so the gearbox and the tappets (not the ones driving the car
) will be happy. It also has a viscosity of 15W40 so it circulates better. Even though it is classified as a mineral oil the specs exceed many full synthetic oils.
I have been using Delo 400 for a while now and have found that the oil pressure is more consistent from cold to hot and the engine is generally smoother. The gear shift is also slightly better. Previously I had a scratchy shift into 2nd gear with Castrol GTX and GTX High mileage. After a while when the oil was up to temp it was better. With the Delo it is fine from cold.
It is also not very expensive, you can buy it from Midas and Makro for less than R300 per 5l bottle
https://www.makro.co.za/diy/caltex-5l-motor-oil-2874EA currently on special.
http://www.caltex.com/za/products-and-se...ants/delo/
You want the Delo 400 multigrade , not the gold or the LE.
I am also looking at some of the oils from the Motul range as they also produce excellent lubricants, this one in particular
https://www.motul.com/za/en/products/oil...sity%5D=32
Now older oils had ZDDP in abundance and it was never a problem. Now modern cars with catalytic converters do not like high levels of ZDDP as it blocks the cat. Most modern oils have had the ZDDP content greatly reduced to comply with CAT specifications.
If you use oil specifically made for Classic cars it usually does have a high enough ZDDP content as well as some of the racing oils, Indy oil is one. I also found that the classic oils have a viscosity of 20W50 which is really thick when cold. This is not ideal as you would like to get it circulated as soon as possible and an oil with a lower cold (W) rating would be more suitable.
I have tried a number of oils and to date I can not find anything better (IMHO) than Caltex DELO 400. This oils is made for Diesel but is also applicable to mixed fleet. It has adequate levels of ZDDP so the gearbox and the tappets (not the ones driving the car
) will be happy. It also has a viscosity of 15W40 so it circulates better. Even though it is classified as a mineral oil the specs exceed many full synthetic oils.I have been using Delo 400 for a while now and have found that the oil pressure is more consistent from cold to hot and the engine is generally smoother. The gear shift is also slightly better. Previously I had a scratchy shift into 2nd gear with Castrol GTX and GTX High mileage. After a while when the oil was up to temp it was better. With the Delo it is fine from cold.
It is also not very expensive, you can buy it from Midas and Makro for less than R300 per 5l bottle
https://www.makro.co.za/diy/caltex-5l-motor-oil-2874EA currently on special.
http://www.caltex.com/za/products-and-se...ants/delo/
You want the Delo 400 multigrade , not the gold or the LE.
I am also looking at some of the oils from the Motul range as they also produce excellent lubricants, this one in particular
https://www.motul.com/za/en/products/oil...sity%5D=32
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