AM I USING THE RIGHT OIL?

geoffblick · Postby **geoffblick** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:39 am

My NA8 has done 253,000k & I drive it about 7,000 k a year including 3 or 4 track days. I am using Mobil 1 5W-30 & changing the oil every 6 months.
I switched to Mobil 1 from a heavier mineral oil which got rid of the valve clatter on start up. My feeling is that the 5W-30 may be too light.
Should I use a heavier oil? What brand of oil & weight would be best?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:42 pm

I would ring a few of the Oil companies and ask them for a recommendation rather than asking another amateur- all the bigger ones have a free service. The other option is asking a specialist oil supplier who handles a variety of oils.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:49 pm

Or search "best pull for nbc" or something similar by Silvia and read through the thread.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:57 pm

Another way is to do some oil analysis and this will tell you a heap of information about what is going on especially if you do it over a long period. Have a look here (they are not the only ones) http://www.oilcheck.com.au/pricing/oil-analysis-price-list.html

This is what I will be doing with my engine once it is complete. It only adds about $40 to the cost but can tell you so much about your engine. There is a reason why mining/transport companies use oil analysis.

Buckshot · Postby **Buckshot** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 3:57 pm

Give Nulon a ring, they hosted an evening for the NSW MX5 Club last week and had all the information you're looking for on hand - they were extremely helpful and gave all who attended 5ltrs of oil of our choice and some injector cleaner.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:09 pm

Buckshot wrote:Give Nulon a ring, they hosted an evening for the NSW MX5 Club last week and had all the information you're looking for on hand - they were extremely helpful and gave all who attended 5ltrs of oil of our choice and some injector cleaner.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:44 pm

Owners manual?

Pokmx5 · Postby **Pokmx5** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:40 pm

I have a system i use... I use two types of oils. One for winter and one for Summer and those two coincide with the km's of your car.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 7:34 pm

Penrite have a very informative web site.
Greg.

CaptainNate · Postby **CaptainNate** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:46 pm

Very good links, guys! I was just searching for the same thing. I have a bit of a HLA tick at the moment, was going to put in a slightly heavier oil after a full Engine flush but was convinced otherwise by my mechanic friend. The flush worked for a good week or two, but the tick is back

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:42 am

Mr Morlock wrote:I would ring a few of the Oil companies and ask them for a recommendation rather than asking another amateur- all the bigger ones have a free service. The other option is asking a specialist oil supplier who handles a variety of oils.

You might fine some of those amateurs have already done what you suggested and have the info ready to go.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:43 am

CaptainNate wrote:Very good links, guys! I was just searching for the same thing. I have a bit of a HLA tick at the moment, was going to put in a slightly heavier oil after a full Engine flush but was convinced otherwise by my mechanic friend. The flush worked for a good week or two, but the tick is back

It most likely wont be the oil with that mileage. HLAs dont go well past 200,000km.

geoffblick · Postby **geoffblick** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:12 pm

I spoke to Peter on Mobil's tech.line. 1300 466 245. He concurred with my choice of Mobil 1 5W-30 in my car as described on the proviso that the car was not using an excessive amount of oil. He said that a bad new motor could use 100ml per 1,000 km. & be within normal parameters. He said that there was no possibility of excessive wear using such a light oil. I am satisfied with his assessment & will continue to use this oil.

geoffblick · Postby **geoffblick** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:16 pm

Re Captain Nate's post. I went in an opposite direction to eliminate rattle on start-up. Try a light oil, 5W-30 or 0W-40 & this should fix it. But use a synthetic.