engine oils

As a rather old fashioned person I have always used 20/50 oil in my cars but as a member of a classic jaguar forum I asked about engine protection for cars that are not used very often, a member who has worked In the oil industry all his life has said to move to a fully synthetic oil to Mercedes spec 229.5, so do members have other opinions.


Regards John

1972 Rover P6 2200
1964 Jaguar S type 3.4
 
I use Valvoline VR1 20w-50 in mine, and won't be changing any time soon :)

Does the 229.5 contain anything in it for flat top cam followers?

Has this chap given any reasons for moving to the 229.5?

Richard
 
I don't know about the oils, but what he is saying as an oil expert! the modern synthetic oils out performs the classic 20/50 oils in all aspects he talks about the how oil sheer, but he does say that it must meet the Mercedes spec that I mentioned, I guess this is a similar recommendation used on the auto gearbox where it needs to meet the ford spec. I know I have not been very helpful, this is why I put this thread on to get other opinions. All I can is that this chap seems very knowledgeable he lives in South Africa and has worked all over the world for oil companies. if you go to THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR "S"-TYPE REGISTER FORUM - FORUM INDEX you should be able to find some info
 
Hi,
My next job is to start the engine of the P6 2000 SC after nearly 30 years of hibernation. It is not seized, which is a good start.
Once drained, I need to fill with fresh oil and I am really not sure which is the correct spec. The owner's manual recommends as follows:
BP Energol SAE 20W
Castrol Castrolite
Duckham's NOL Twenty
ESSO Extra 20W/30
Mobiloil Arctic
Advanced Havoline 20/20W
Shell X-100 20W

Since none of these ring a bell for immediate correspondence with nowadays products, I will gladly take your advice!
Thanks
Marc
 
I don't know about the oils, but what he is saying as an oil expert! the modern synthetic oils out performs the classic 20/50 oils in all aspects he talks about the how oil sheer, but he does say that it must meet the Mercedes spec that I mentioned, I guess this is a similar recommendation used on the auto gearbox where it needs to meet the ford spec. I know I have not been very helpful, this is why I put this thread on to get other opinions. All I can is that this chap seems very knowledgeable he lives in South Africa and has worked all over the world for oil companies. if you go to THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR "S"-TYPE REGISTER FORUM - FORUM INDEX you should be able to find some info
sounds like a Shaka Zulu complication, check the coral perimeter for oil leaks and signs of incursion to the rockers :p
 
Mercedes spec 229.5, I see no real comment in Practical Classics regarding this spec. of oil when questioned
 
Does the 229.5 contain anything in it for flat top cam followers?

Richard

In the case of the 4 cyl P6 there is no concern about tappet wear as the top of the tappets are flooded with oil, so you don't have to worry about zinc additives.

Yours
Vern
 
In the case of the 4 cyl P6 there is no concern about tappet wear as the top of the tappets are flooded with oil, so you don't have to worry about zinc additives.

Yours
Vern
Not quite true Vern. The zinc is there because oil alone doesn’t lubricate flat top tappets and cam lobes. Old engines that had used zinc oil formulations (ZDDP added from factory) have a ‘zinc memory’. But reground or new parts in an engine need to be run in with ZDDP additive for a few thousand miles so zinc has a chance to embed Into the fabric of the steel.
 
I personally wouldn't use any additives, if the noise is only for a couple of seconds or so I wouldn't worry too much.
As long as the engine is quite when hot .
Camshaft and lifters do wear and on an original engine anything over 50k and there will be wear present, providing camshaft hasn't already been fitted.
 
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