What Oil for 4.5 Cerbera?

[gadget9]

I have read conflicting advice about the viscosity of oil to use in a cerb engine can anyone clarify which oil is best for the car and why please as the dealer i purchased the car from intend to put Mobil 1 in on the 6000 mile service and i have read that the oil being so thin gives little protection on startup and causes the engine to burn more oil.

[ro_butler]

Mobil 1 is ok but you are correct in thinking it is a little too thin, especialy when hot. Better alternatives are Castrol RS (what TMS use) or Mobil 1 motorsport (so I am told) because they are thicker. Dreadnought recommend Castrol Magnatec (for sp6, don't know about AJP8).

Often the advice is to ring the factory but I have a feeling they will recommend Carlube because they sponsor the tuscan challenge series (not necessarily because it is the best oil).

Rob.

>> Edited by ro_butler on Sunday 19th January 15:55

[chrissy g]

I don't think there is any definative answer to this question, looking through past threads, opinion is pretty divided. I use 0w/40 mobil 1 in my early (P reg) 4.2, as this is what TVR/Dealer recommend, and just take it easy with revs during first few miles. The engines do burn a bit of oil. I'd be very interested know who uses what.....

Chris

[gadget9]

Thankyou for your views i am still not quite sure what to do about choosing an oil. Julian if you read this i would be gratefull to hear your opinion
Thanks again.

[gazzab]

I am sure Jules will advise theusage of a thicker oil than the Mobil 1 stuff. Most I know use Mobil 1 motorsport.

[joospeed]

I use valvoline 5w/50. stay with a famous name and you'll not go far wrong, but gebneral rule is the bigger the second number the thicker at high temps, the lower the first number the quicker it gets around the engine on cold start. 5/50 is the best I've seen so far so that's what I use.

[gadget9]

Thanks julian,
I will ask the dealer if they will use valvolene instead of mobil.What are your views on the viscosity affecting the cerbies use of oil in the V8,s
It would seem the thinner the oil the more they use this seems strange as the factory to my knowledge always recomended mobil 1 so the engine/seals should be able to cope with it,Yet it seems all too obvious more oil is used when using mobil 1?
Have you seen any difference in the lifespan of cerbie V8s using different oils?

[joospeed]

gadget9 said: Thanks julian,
I will ask the dealer if they will use valvolene instead of mobil.What are your views on the viscosity affecting the cerbies use of oil in the V8,s
It would seem the thinner the oil the more they use this seems strange as the factory to my knowledge always recomended mobil 1 so the engine/seals should be able to cope with it,Yet it seems all too obvious more oil is used when using mobil 1?
Have you seen any difference in the lifespan of cerbie V8s using different oils?

using a thinner oil just means you have to top it up more often. TVR recommended Mobil cos they sponsored the tuscan series, no other reason AFAIAA. They no recommend Carlube for the very same reason.
Engine life .. well any oil is better than no oil, so keep it topped up and you'll be fine. if it's going to go bang it'll happen whatever.. just minimise any chance by taking sensible weekly precautions like checking levels.

[gadget9]

joospeed said:

gadget9 said: Thanks julian,
I will ask the dealer if they will use valvolene instead of mobil.What are your views on the viscosity affecting the cerbies use of oil in the V8,s
It would seem the thinner the oil the more they use this seems strange as the factory to my knowledge always recomended mobil 1 so the engine/seals should be able to cope with it,Yet it seems all too obvious more oil is used when using mobil 1?
Have you seen any difference in the lifespan of cerbie V8s using different oils?

using a thinner oil just means you have to top it up more often. TVR recommended Mobil cos they sponsored the tuscan series, no other reason AFAIAA. They no recommend Carlube for the very same reason.
Engine life .. well any oil is better than no oil, so keep it topped up and you'll be fine. if it's going to go bang it'll happen whatever.. just minimise any chance by taking sensible weekly precautions like checking levels.

If only the dipstick was as easy to read as other cars :-( they are so hit and miss you never get a clear reading once retracting the dipstick on the 4.5 cant speak for other models if only there was an acurate way of checking the levels.

[gazzab]

I couldnt agree more - I have spent half an hours trying and trying before. I find it easy to read when warm but apparently you should measure it cold.

[rolexblue]

gazzab said: I couldnt agree more - I have spent half an hours trying and trying before. I find it easy to read when warm but apparently you should measure it cold.

Ditto Gary, what I've found though is by giving the dipstick half a turn anticlockwise as I'm pulling it out, this seems to stop the oil smudging.

Paul

[gadget9]

Gazzab, the car must be cold or you wont get an acurate reading as some of the oil will not have reached the sump.
Rolexblue,
I have read your method before on this site and i have tried as you explained but i still have dificulty in getting a good reading it seems the length is so long and the passage for the stick so tricky due to awkward access because of pipes obstructing the stick entering/retracting the tube cleanly an acurate reading is impossible.
I even asked my dealer to demonstrate and found they were no more adapt at it than me..........Help am i missing somthing here?

[grey42cerbie]

I find that I can get a good reading on the back of the stick with no twist on the way out. I always read mine cold. But I don't think it matters to much as long as you are consistant and read it either hot or cold. You will get a different reading from each and should top up to a suitable level each time.

Cheers, Steve
Grey 4.2 Cerbie

[and]

I carry a measuring stick in my boot with my spare Oil - makes getting a clear reading easy peasy (in a naff but effective kind of way)