Was flippin through a miniworld magazine the other day and noticed an article on what engine oils to use. I was suprised when they said that the later fuel injected models 1990 on could use semi synthetic oil. They said this was because of the better seals on the oil pump and the fact that it's fuel injected. Now iv'e seen heaps of post on here that warn not to use any synthetic or semi synthetic due to the syncro's stuffing up.
The only mention they made of this in the article was that full synthetic oil could not be used as it would stuff up the syncro's. They also stated that rover had approved the use of semi synthetic oils.
So what do you experts out there think? load of bullshit? I only read bits of the article so there might have been something else in there and I was too stingy to buy the magazine.

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Mini Clubman, 1.3i, air con, 12" mags, pioneer sound system.

Just a question, what seals on the oil pump?

I always thought the main issue was that it was the fact the oil was used in the diff/gearbox and engine?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

thats what they said, something about the seals in the pump i could of read it wrong, i was only having a quick skim through it.
I thought they main problem with using it was the syncromesh and the fact that if you do use it then you wouldnt be able to get it in gear.

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Mini Clubman, 1.3i, air con, 12" mags, pioneer sound system.

I thought also cause synthetic oils are thinner oils and can cause damage to your big end and main bearings.. and also for the syncros in the g/box as you've said..

I have a feeling that the main problems would be the high sheer loadings in the diff. Diffs kill normal oils.

GR says the synthetics don't cling to the camshaft, which will wear the lobes more.
An A series cam is not like yer average Jappo twin cam 16V buzzbox, with the cams having their own oil wells.
The Mini cam is swinging in the breeze, just like a pushrod V8 one. They therefore have the same lube problems, which is why Castrol developed Castrol R 25W/50. For a Mr Larry Perkins....

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

the lovely oil question all over the world

rearly there are a lot of myth about oils, i use syntetics without probs in all my minis, it last much longer (used oil analysis), the engines run cooler, wear is not more (won't say its less because i can not proof it)

syntetic doesn't say its thinner, you can get a fully syntetic 20W50

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Rover 214 atm ....

I just can't see me spending 60 bucks on a pot of oil (at least not for my mini, I loved the stuff in mr WRX when I owned it).....

It won't make it go faster despite the marketing hype, and I'm sure not likely to allow my oil changes to go out to 12 thousand klicks...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I have that magazine, it specified the 10w40 semi-synthetic Castrol magnatech the best stuff for efi engines.
Will the magnatech help the cam situation?

If it did, people would race with it.
But I do use it in the AUII Ford.

A Mini motor is a tractor engine by comparison.

I do find the 25W/50 clings to the Mini dipstick real good.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

While we're chattin oil, what's the best stuff (in anyones opinion) for a A+ auto?

Oil! my favourite topic!

I love synthetic, don't get me wrong. It's awesome stuff in the Twin overhead cam vvti corolla.

For Minis I prefer Castrol Formula R 25/50. Equally awesome stuff, so good that I cleaned out the shelf at every supercheap when it went to Edge 25/50. I have 7 bottles I got them at a bargain basement price of $27 a bottle.

I dun care if Synthetic is better or not in a mini but for $27 (half that of some fully synths) who the heck cares! clean oil is better than long lasting oil i say

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

With that much Oil in stock, you'd better be careful that a superpower doesn't declare you a terrorist state.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

I dont use synthetic or semi on any engine with a cork or rope seal. It gets past the seal and leaks badly. I am have had no problems with sythetic on old engines from a wear perspective, just the leaking like a sieve business.