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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - New Oil for Old Cars

I recently discovered a new formula Castrol GTX oil for "older cars". Claims to reduce oil burning, improved cleaning and reduced leakage. It comes in a silver blue bottle. I have only been able to find it in 10W-30 weight, which I think is a "little thin" for T-Types. I use 20W-50 GTX currently.
If the claims are true it would be a boon for XPEG leakers.
Has anyone tried this stuff yet?
I looked for info. on the Castrol website but found none, which I thought was strange. The Castrol website is not very usable.
colin stafford

Colin,

I'm not familiar with that product. I too run Castrol 20W-50 and have had a problem with a leaking rear seal (I use the term "seal" loosely). At any rate, I would have an oil puddle about 6 inches in diameter after running about 1/2 hour. The drip was so pronounced that the drips would hit the hot exhaust and cause a nice little blue trail behind me (no - not coming out of the exhaust pipe - rather off it as the oil drip hit the hot exhaust).

At the suggestion of my local British car mechanic I tried Lucas Oil Stabilizer. It's a thick oil additive that is used for older engines to reduce smoking, leaks, etc. You add it to your normal oil - the ratio varies depending on how bad the problem is, up to a 50:50 mix (add the oil to the crankcase first, then the oil stabilizer otherwise you may have trouble starting as the stabilizer is thick).

It has worked wonders for me. The oil puddle after an hour or so is abut the size a half dollar (I can live with that), and the oil smoking due to the dripping is gone. I have been running with the Lucas stabilizer for about three years now and no problems. In fact, the stuff is so sticky and slick that it takes some work to get it off my metal-topped work bench. So, you know that there is going to be more lubricant sticking to metal parts in the engine, reducing "dry" starts. The stablizer runs about $25 a gallon, so it's not cheap, but I love it.

Larry Thompson
'51TD
Larry Thompson

Colin,

I just visited the Castrol website (castrolusa.com you may have tried the castrol.com website) and found a reference to a Castrol GTX for higher mileage cars (75,000). I presume that this is what you are refering to. The info. described it as reducing smiking, leaks, conditioning seals, etc. The info. also stated that it was available in 20W-50 weight. I'll have to look for it for my next oil change - soon to come.

Larry
Larry Thompson

This product sounds like a great idea for T's, so I have ordered a case as a trial. Manager of our local auto store gave me a super deal if I would actually attest to any improvements I see. Any T-Car would be a good test case. I did not get ont the CastrolUSA web site, just the Castrol.com, so I missed the info. Thanks. We have only 36,000 actual miles on our car, but it still drips a little.
colin stafford

Larry,
I also live in the Cleveland area. Would you mind sharing the name/location of your British car mechanic and where to purchase the Lucas Oil Stabilizer.

Dave
mgtf 1500
David Kalp

Try this for you oil leakers of TFs. I plugged the breather pipe from the side cover. Next I drilled out the valve cover to carb air filter to 1/4" dia. This has slowed down the leakage at the rear bearing. This move puts a negative air pressure on the crankcase. Right now I have no way to measure that pressure. Warning, watch for oil in the valve cover hose to the air filter. If this occurs, to much air is entering the crank case. Since running 60 psi oil pressure, there is a tendancy for excess oil finding it's way pass the seal. This coming winter I hope to improve the rear seal. I'm still thinking.
Sam Fulton

Chaps, I have been watching this thread with interest. I too suffer with oil leakage from the XPAG in my TF - mainly the rear oil seal - and have always accepted it as part of the pleasure of running an older English car with a thrower-type seal. I have never heard of the Lucas Oil Stabiliser product, and am intrigued. Have UK BB readers any experience of this or similar products, or know if it is obtainable in the UK, and if so where? I shall try and track it down. AB
Adrian Bennett

My son recently brought home a "Special Promotional Case" of New Pennzoil for High Mileage Vehicles. The box says it is for cars with more than 75k miles. He got 10W-40 to go in the GMC Suburban with 150k miles. I have no idea if there is anything special about this stuff, but it seems that there is a new trend in the world of oil marketing. Caveat Emptor.
Bill Storey

Adrian,

I have found a couple of suppliers in the UK that might help: www.terrainmaster.com/lubricants.html and www.supplies40.freeserve.co.uk/stab.htm. Both of these sites list Lucas Oil Stabilizer, you might give them a try.

Bill, yes I fiand "magic" additives a bit troubling as well (Caveat Emptor) and probably wouldn't have tried it if it wasn't for the recommendation of a good mechanic. I have also since seen testimonials from NHRA drag racers that use it (Kenny Bernstein among other).

At any rate, I have been using it for quite a while and found that it does as advertised and have had no ill effects (and no, I don't work for Lucas Oil).

Larry
Larry Thompson

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2002 and 03/05/2002

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