It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:52 am




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Engine oil 
Author Message
Ready for SVA

Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:11 pm
Posts: 317
GTM: Libra
Post Engine oil
What engine oil should I use in 1.8vvc I was looking at putting fully sythetic oil in.


Fri May 29, 2009 7:24 am
Profile E-mail
Ready for SVA
User avatar

Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:06 pm
Posts: 389
Post Re: Engine oil
I use semi synthetic (Halfords). I have been warned full synthetic would be too thin.

Too expensive aswell!


Fri May 29, 2009 9:25 am
Profile E-mail
On the Road

Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:45 pm
Posts: 998
Location: SL2 4JW
GTM: Libra
Post Re: Engine oil
I've used full synthetic for 50k, no problems.
Genuine GM 5W-30 Super Synthetic from my local garage, lot cheaper than Halfords.

_________________
Bob S.
GTMOC Secretary


Fri May 29, 2009 10:20 am
Profile E-mail
Looking like a GTM
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 9:48 pm
Posts: 163
Location: Selkirkshire
GTM: Libra
Post Re: Engine oil
Having the Libra (1.8VVC 160) in for a service next week and thought I'd ask Opie Oils (as appears on Discount Forum) what oil they suggested. I've always used 10w/40 ………… they suggested using a 10w/50 synthetic oil as this would maintain higher oil pressure when the engine is hot on long runs, which I seem to do regularly on the M6 these days... anybody any thoughts on this?


Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:07 pm
Profile E-mail
On the Road

Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:27 am
Posts: 619
Location: Sheffield
GTM: Libra
Post Re: Engine oil
Castrol Magnatec 10w40 semi is what i've always used without any concerns.

_________________
2000 GTM Libra 1.8VVC 145BHP


Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:16 pm
Profile E-mail
Looking like a GTM
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 9:48 pm
Posts: 163
Location: Selkirkshire
GTM: Libra
Post Re: Engine oil
Just got back from Halfords with Castrol Magnatec and in half price sale :D, Why change something if it works :)


Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:12 pm
Profile E-mail
GTM Nirvana
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:10 pm
Posts: 1136
Location: Bristol
GTM: Spyder
Post Re: Engine oil
PhilBSpyder wrote:
Having the Libra (1.8VVC 160) in for a service next week and thought I'd ask Opie Oils (as appears on Discount Forum) what oil they suggested. I've always used 10w/40 ………… they suggested using a 10w/50 synthetic oil as this would maintain higher oil pressure when the engine is hot on long runs, which I seem to do regularly on the M6 these days... anybody any thoughts on this?

That is interesting to me as I was finding my oil pressure would drop off worryingly on track days. I tried Morris X-RPM 10w-50 (fully synthetic) on the basis that is it just as thin as 10w-40 when cold but a bit less thin when (very) hot. It did improve my hot oil pressure issues (a bit - still drops off but not so low) with no other obvious side effects. They have changed the name recently to Morris Multivis MLR 10w-50 but as far as I can tell the same stuff. Not too expensive.
https://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/products/motorsport/automotive-engine-oils/multivis-mlr-10w-50-engine-oil.html
There is a guy on ebay selling it for £32.50 delivered https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Morris-10w50-X-rpm-Competition-Engine-Oil/1147376303


Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:31 pm
Profile E-mail
On the Road

Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2015 6:32 pm
Posts: 502
GTM: Libra
Post Re: Engine oil
I know that it’s always been said that the VVC engine needs 10-40w oil as the ecu adjusts the mechanism based on the oils temperature sensor and the known viscosity of the oil, not sure what affect a slightly different weight oil has on this but I expect it’s next to nothing??

The k series oil of choice seems to be Fuchs Titan Race Pro R (two top k series engine builders have recommended this)......it’s not cheap though.

Out of interest what sort of oil pressure are you getting on the VVC engine when warmed up?


Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:34 pm
Profile E-mail
GTM Nirvana
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:10 pm
Posts: 1136
Location: Bristol
GTM: Spyder
Post Re: Engine oil
Jaykart1227 wrote:
Out of interest what sort of oil pressure are you getting on the VVC engine when warmed up?


I guess that depends on whether the gauge is reading accurately. When I bought mine the gauge wasn't working and it turned out there was no sender! Also nothing wired to the low oil pressure warning switch (actually, is there a light for this on the earlier 5 dial dash? all the lights seem to already have a function and not oil pressure? I still don't have a light :shock: ). I struggled to find a sender with the correct M12 thread as most seem to come with 1/8NPT but I found an ebay china special. It does give what could be viewed as sensible readings but can't be sure if it is accurate. Cold it reads around 50psi at idle rising to around 65-70psi at around 2500rpm. When at "normal" hot it drops to 30 at idle and won't go above 55 when revved. After a few long sessions on a track day it hovers around the 15psi mark at idle and only goes up to about 35 when revved. From what I've read there needs to be around 30psi to operate the VVC actuator and I've not had it go into limp mode so must be getting that okay whenever it feels the need to adjust the cam timing.


Tue Jan 15, 2019 11:21 pm
Profile E-mail
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group.
Designed by Vjacheslav Trushkin for Free Forums/DivisionCore.

phpBB SEO