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MG MGA - Winter Storage and Oil

Hi,
Ok. it's about _20 C right now...thankfully my 1961 MGA 1600 is in my heated garage. Drove it until Nov 20th but it's over ! So I need to change the oil. Should I run a "cleaning agent" through it first ? And then change it ? I've been breaking it in with 30w non detergent (700mi) -no smoking, runs great.
Time for 20-50 synthetic ?

Thanks,

DA MacFarlane

Hi, I would change the oil and filter, fill it with NON SYNTHETIC oil, and run it for another 500 miles or so. Then drain and refill with synthetic. You want to make very sure that your engine is COMPLETELY broken in before using synthetic oil. Synthetic oil PREVENTS proper break in, due to it's extremely low friction. Hope this helps, Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

I cant remember who but when I asked about using fully synthtic oil in my A I was told not to as it was to thick! sorry to hijak your thread a little but whats your take on that? Vin
Vin Rafter

I've also read/been told to stay away from synthetic oil on a new engine for the reason Glen mentioned. Different sources have advised anywhere from 1000 to 5000 miles before using it.
Andy Bounsall

I ran in my 1800 engine 8 years ago on normal mineral oil as Glenn describes. Then for the first year on a similar oil. After that I ran semi-synthetic 20-50 for about 6 years. Last year I experimented and ran fully synthetic oil. Not certain of the grade, but around 5-30 I think. If anything and, contrary to Vin's comment, it was a smidge thin and I had the odd oil weep. I have the engine on the bench at the moment and I was surprised to see that there are absolutely no bore wear marks. Infact the original honing marks from the rebore are still quite clear. This has got me wondering if I ran it in long enough (about 3,000 miles) on standard oil before converting to semi-synthetic.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I ran in my 1800 engine 8 years ago on normal mineral oil as Glenn describes. Then for the first year on a similar oil. After that I ran semi-synthetic 20-50 for about 6 years. Last year I experimented and ran fully synthetic oil. Not certain of the grade, but around 5-30 I think. If anything and, contrary to Vin's comment, it was a smidge thin and I had the odd oil weep. I have the engine on the bench at the moment and I was surprised to see that there are absolutely no wear marks. Infact the original honing marks from the rebore are still quite clear. This has got me wondering if I ran it in long enough (about 3,000 miles) on standard oil before converting to semi-synthetic.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve:
If it does not use oil past the rings then they are broken in properly. I have seen the original cross hatch pattern on the cyl walls of cars with over 200,000 miles.
R J Brown

Thanks RJ. No, I do not burn oil, so I guess all is ok. I am putting semi-synthetic 20-50 back in.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Can anyone explane to me the pro's and con's of useing one oil as opposed to another, ie non, semi or fully synthetic thank you, Vin
Vin Rafter

This thread was discussed between 03/12/2009 and 05/12/2009

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