Most people use 20/50 oil, as TR6 engines have larger tolerances than
today's engines and heavier weight oils help maintain better on-the-run oil
pressure. The exception to this rule is if you run your TR6 in the winter,
when a lighter 10/40 oil helps on start up etc. due to the cold outside
air. If I remember correctly, the workshop manual generally recommends
20/50. I store my TR6 during the winter, but start it every month, so I
use 5/30 during storage to aid start up.
You can use synthetic or mineral-based oil interchangeably or even at the
same time. The reason why most people do not do so is that mixing
synthetic oil and mineral oil (at the same time) tends to dilute the
synthetic oil to the point that the benefits (enhanced thermal properties)
are diminished- close to just running the much-less expensive mineral oil.
(That's why I think semi-synthetic mixes are a waste of money..run one or
the other.)
A good rule of thumb is that if you have an original high mileage engine,
keep using mineral oils. If it's very low miles or rebuilt, you will gain
by using synthetics. The difference is that high mileage engines have
sludge that synthetics may loosen, but the usual mineral oils will leave in
place. Also, if your engine is tired, you really don't need to spend the
money on synthetics because you are living on borrowed time anyway.
As an example, I use Mobil One 15/50 in the summer and Mobil One 5/30 or
0/30 for winter storage. But, at the end of the day, anything with a brand
name will do the job, whether synthetic or mineral.
---------------------cut-------------------------------
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 11:21:13 -0800
From: "Ben Burnweit" <a1972tr6@hotmail.com>
Subject: Is there a best engine oil?
I recently had the TR6 into the shop and told them to go ahead and change
the oil. To my surprise they used a 20/50 and I always thought a 10/40 was
proper. Is there a "proper" oil for the 1972 TR-6 ?
Is it true that if you try a synthetic oil you can never go back to regular
type?
Thanks, Ben
William Whitmoyer
69 TR6
90 BMW iX
91 CRX Si
|