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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - midget 1500 engine oil

morning all. quick question, my haynes manual says to use 20w/50 engine oil. isnt that abit thick and gloopy? my engine is an ivor searle recon with less than 3000 miles on it. i thought 20w/50 was best used on on worn out old engines. what do you lot use? tesco cheapy oil (£2 1 litre)is 20w/50 so can i use that. thank you.
roy judd

Valvoline VR1 20/50 is what I recommend. Change it yearly or every 6000 miles (whichever comes sooner).

Oh, and get an oil cooler!
Deborah Evans

thanks deborah ,so steer clear of tescos then ;-) an oil cooler is the next thing on the list but ya no how it is,money money money.( any 2nd hand 1s with spin on fitting anyone ??)silly question but im not mechanically minded but whats the diffrence in tesco 20/50 and any other 20/50 oil. there must be a diffrence i spose.
roy judd

Roy

Quality oil is cheaper than a rebuild!

I've been using Valvoline oil for 30+ years...I had a friend who raced a Spridget in SCCA back in the '70s, in one race an oil cooler line came loose on a straight at maximum speed, before he realized the problem & shut the engine down...all the oil was gone!

We tore the engine done & it had virtually no wear on the bearings even after the short run with no oil...he used Valvoline...I been sold on it & using it ever since!

Remember, the 1500's weak point is the bearings, why take a chance?

I use Valvoline VR1, but I'm no expert, Deborah is...listen to her, SHE KNOWS these engines. :)

Dave
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

thats a bloody good point. good oil it is then.
roy judd

Use cheap oil for a cheap engine!

I use Penrite 20/50 at the moment, haven't seen any Valvoline at the local motor factors.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

And Roy, use 20W50 unless you drive in the Arctics!

I think Deborah has also mentioned Penrite, haven't seen it here in the US.

Enjoy the ride,
Dave

Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

Most of the quality oils are good - and - how many good cars do you see sat in Tesco's car park!
rachmacb

I've used Asda's and Tesco's but will be using the Halfords Classic oil, £16 a can [4.5 litres/gallonish size] next week after her annual slurpystuff swap

Might get a Trade discount off them too, I will for the filter and plugs

looks just like Duckhams

and smells like it too

and I know it ISNT Duckhams but still has a decent reputation
bill sdgpm

Dont go to Halfords go to your local motor factors,I use Comma oils in my cars 20 50 in the midget,comma also do a Classic 20 50 should cost a lot less than Halfords.
AS Douglas

I use Castrol 20/50 with mine, and change it at the start of every driving season. No problems to report...

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

This thread was discussed between 01/04/2010 and 13/04/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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