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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

949.0. "Monograde to Multi' switch?" by SHAPES::STREATFIELDC (Run a Beetle?..IOSG::AIR_COOLED) Wed Jan 31 1990 11:23

    Can anyone help?
    
    My VW Beetle currently needs an oil change, The previous owner has
    run the car on Monograde oil HD30(or 40) I have been topping up the
    engine with monograde, from a shop in Basingstoke, but now I want to go
    over to multigrade. The main reason is that I think the thinner oil in
    the multigrade will do less harm than the monograde on cold starts.
    
    I plan to use an engine flush, but the previous owner told me that I
    should not mix monograde with multigrade, as they will clott, and the
    engine will seize. She said it had happened to her once, but then it
    could have been anything, as she even got the garage to change the
    light bulbs/ washer fluid if they went!.
    
    Some garages I asked have shrugged their shoulders, others have said
    that it will do no harm at all, and the difference between mono, and
    multigrade, is that there are 2 grades in multi, along with something
    to stop them seperating.
    
    Anyone know about this, as I plan to change the oil before driving to
    the Lake district and back, this Weekend!
    
    Thanks,
    
    Carl.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
949.1	convince yourself	SHIRE::GOLDBLATT		`Wed Jan 31 1990 12:06`	4
	Put a little multi-grade and a little mono-grade in an empty bottle and shake well. The result will be the same as in your cold engine's sump. To simulate a hot engine, repeat the experiment in a saucepan that you heat slowly on the stove.
949.2	Can't resist this	UKCSSE::RDAVIES	Live long and prosper	`Wed Jan 31 1990 13:04`	13
	>> <<< Note 949.1 by SHIRE::GOLDBLATT >>> >> -< convince yourself >- >> >> Put a little multi-grade and a little mono-grade in an empty bottle >> and shake well. The result will be the same as in your cold engine's >> sump. To simulate a hot engine, repeat the experiment in a saucepan >> that you heat slowly on the stove. When cold serve into four dishes, delicious with pine apples and cream. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) Richard
949.4		TASTY::JEFFERY	Ring Carlsberg Customer Complaints Dept.	`Wed Jan 31 1990 14:23`	3
	re: .2 pine apples always break my teeth!
949.5	OHMYGOD, CASTROL REBUILD HUH?	SHAPES::STREATFIELDC	Run a Beetle?..IOSG::AIR_COOLED	`Wed Jan 31 1990 14:37`	19
	>> Castrol R by any chance? I do not think so, as The stuff I have been topping it up with, is not made by castrol, The description says: MONOGRADE OIL, For use in Classic cars and lawnmowers !! So, if the stuff that was in allready was castrol R, would it not have clotted with the topping up stuff? I have done about 3000 miles in it since I started topping it up. Carl_AWAITING_THE_SARKY_COMMENTS! P.S. Mr Mitchel, are you on a course?, as I tried to ring your number as per VTX, they said you were, but I wasn't sure I had the right person!
949.7	Castrol R SMELLS!	UTROP1::BOSMAN_P		`Thu Feb 01 1990 07:25`	11
	If it was Castrol R the engine would have seized by now. This type oxidises VERY rapidly. As mineral oils mix, mono or multi-grade, don't worry. Drain the mone grade, change the filter and put in a good multi. However be aware that modern oil have fairly agressive dopes that will lead to a lot of dirt dissolving so don't wait too long before the first oil and filter change. Peter
949.8	The topping up stuff doesn't smell!	SHAPES::STREATFIELDC	Run a Beetle?..IOSG::AIR_COOLED	`Thu Feb 01 1990 09:50`	17
	Filter? Beetles don't have filters! They have a wire mesh resembling a tea strainer! The label on the stuff I have been topping up with says; Comma Classic, 30 Motor Oil Straight sae 30 non-detergent motor oil, API service Classification SA petrol SAE 30 Carl.
949.10	Vote goes in favour changing, Now, where's that RAC card..	SHAPES::STREATFIELDC	Run a Beetle?..IOSG::AIR_COOLED	`Thu Feb 01 1990 13:23`	18
	Just rang up the "Comma oil company", (the one I used to top up with) They said that if there was Castrol R in there, it would have clogged up ages ago!, ( as one of the previous notes said ) So it looks like the change will go ahead tonight, with the good old GTX going in as a replacement. Does anyone have any experiance with using engine additives, particularly "SLICK 50" Is it really as good as the packet says so? Carl. PS. To remove the sump pan, I would have to split the case on an air cooled VW!
949.12	Gimmicks Inc.??	FNYHUB::KEHILY	Almost...	`Thu Feb 01 1990 14:02`	8
	Re .10, Slick 50 I've never used it but according to the Sunday Times (I think) the guy that markets it is also responsible for those fingers that appear out of boot lids! Graham
949.13	Cross reference	COMICS::WEGG	Ian Wegg - UK TSC.	`Thu Feb 01 1990 14:08`	3
	Note 585 is about Slick 50. Ian.
949.14	The story so far........	SHAPES::STREATFIELDC	Run a Beetle?..IOSG::AIR_COOLED	`Fri Feb 02 1990 12:30`	19
	The oil got changed last night, Although I don't think my choice of timing and the weather had quite got it together!. The cr*p (A highly appropriate word) that came out needs no explanation!. Apart from the extendable filler tube on the Castrol GTX can falling off, and spreading �litre of oil all over the distributer, it seems that everything is OK. (oh well at least I wont have to use any WD40 for a while!) Whilst under the car, I noticed a couple of little holes in the exhaust box, I Gun-Gummed these, but now its so quite all I can hear is a whine from the gearbox !, which I thought had gone away! Thanks for all your help, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next 1000 miles, after which I will change again, and probably add some slick50. Carl.