what engine oil for a countach QV ?

[carspath]

please can you tell me what engine oil you have been using in your countach(es)

I have been using mobil 1 in my 881/2 QV for the last 14 years , and wonder if there is anything else that I should be considering

thank-you

[paulqv]

Hi Path
What is the rating?
Should it not be 10/40?
Anything too thin would not be good for an old engine

[ssray]

In theory, mobil one should be too slippery for an older(larger tolerances) so the oil finds its way through the gaps and gets burnt( this come from two wheelers) older engines tend to do very well on semi
I stand to be corrected
Ray

[carspath]

ssray,thanks for taking the time to reply to me

paul, I hope you are well
shame I cant make your meeting up north

paul, to make a short story long, when I first bought my QV from lambo London in may 2001, they were very kind and straightforward in telling me that they were not really up to looking after such an old car.
they did however recommend and put me in touch with lee Cunningham , who had worked on my car, under their and del hopkin's aegis, since it was first brought into the country in sept 1988

I had planned on using mobil 1 5w-50, but lee was very clear that I should only use mobil 1 MOTORSPORT 15w-50.
lee then continued to look after my car for many years , even after he left Modena (Lamborghini Wycombe ), and I continued with his recommended oil
when Roberto grimaldi started looking after my car about 4 years ago, he too had no issues with me using this oil

well, mobil have now discontinued mobil 1 15w-50 !!
I have just located some remaining 15w -50 , and I e mailed mobil in the US yesterday, as to the longevity of this oil
they have replied today, saying that the oil is fine for 5 years in an unopened container

the question is whether I should be looking at an alternative now---- as I am going to have to in the future anyway, should I be fortunate enough to be able to keep my countach

[paulqv]

15w 50 should be fine. Some old cars use 10/50 which can be difficult to find. 10w40 should be ok, but I would never drop below 10 in that type of engine. Some older ones such as the espada you can't drop below 20 otherwise the engine simply won't pick it up.

I have cancelled the event up north due to lack of interest.

[carspath]

reassuring to hear that paul

what are you using in your countach?

[RedBull]

Hi Path,

I do my own servicing on my Anniversary and have tried a few different oils. When delivered it was running Shell Helix 5W/40 which seemed OK but I changed it to get the recommended 10W/40 rating. I have used both full and semi-synthetic and have not noticed any difference between them, including the recommended by Lamborghini Agip Sint semi-synthetic oil.
Currently I am running Gulf Competition oil which is 10W/40 and fully synthetic. This is also available in 15W/50 if you prefer, I got mine from Opie Oils link to 15W/50 oils at Opie

I may try 15W/50 next time as I would like to raise the oil pressure at idle. Mine is no lower than the owners manual says, and gets up to 7 bar easily and at much lower revs than the handbook says, so no fault with it. But trying to pull away at idle revs to preserve the clutch would be easier with a better idle pressure. What oil pressure do you have at idle with 15W/50 in it?

As for the old mineral/semi-synth/fully-synth argument: Having seen the difference that good quality additives can make to the way oil behaves and to the sheer resistance, I will always go for fully-synthetic. I haven't personally noticed any increase in consumption or leaks. I think a lot of stories about that stems from people using a synthetic of a lower viscosity than recommended in older engines. The tolerances of an engine will only be a consideration for the viscosity, not whether it is semi or full synthetic etc. So for example, someone putting 0W/30 fully synthetic in an older engine designed around 20W/50 would experience higher consumption and leaks. They may say it's because they used synthetic (and so the stories start) but in truth it's because they used the wrong viscosity and probably shouldn't be allowed to open a bonnet I used Mobil 1 Motorsport in my old 1972 Corvette for years without any problem at all, it ran like a dream.

[paulqv]

I would endorse the above. Generally any good oil should do. The difference in a semi or fully synthetic is that it should have less variation in use than a pure mineral oil. However, I don't think there is in reality a pure mineral oil in multigrade due to manufacturing.
The main concern would be use in different temperatures which is what multigrades were meant to address. As most people won't use them in minus conditions, then the real issue is the internal engine tolerances and how they use or were designed to use oil. Going from 10-15 shpuldnt be too different, although it would generate more 'drag' in the engine is kit is heavier and thicker. My only concern with some oils is being too thin for old engines. The QV wasn't that old, but the basics were older. I defiantly wouldn't drop to a 5w.
A good 10w should be fine and possibly the best compromise although it would be interesting to see pier the last post it does effect drivability at low speeds when warm. As the oil pressure gauges in these cars are at best 'indicative' i wouldn't be too fussed about them. The only really way is to get a separate Oil pressure gauge which cost quite a lot and can never really reflect driven use as operated in a garage

Paul

[carspath]

redbull--mike YHM


i'll get the exact oil pressure readings the next time I take the car out for a run, but if I remember correctly,at idle, when cold its at just over 7, and when fully warmed up its about 1/2-2/3 of that figure

[123quackers]

Sint 2000
10/40w semi

Factory only ever used that on my Anniversario. 3 years on the trot servicing.

Always a only used 10/40w semi.