Oil

[mycerbera]

How much oil should my 4.2 be using? Bought recommended mobil 1 4ltrs, and it cost £34 in halfords!! Put in about 2 1/2 litres as PSI was dropping to 10-20psi. Do these AJP's tend to use alot? Can you use anything a bit cheaper than Mobil 1 that may be thicker and last longer too?

[gazzab]

Should use Mobil 1 motor sport (15w) and not 0w.
Should check all every day per manual (I do it once a week). Shouldnt let it get so low that it needs 2.5 litres. What with the puff of smoke it sounds like you have a problem that means you are burning oil. They use a lot - a litre every 500 miles maybe ?!?!? (guessing). If you are worried about the price of oil then maybe a cerbera / TVR isnt for you.

[mycerbera]

What could the problem be then?

[gazzab]

I have no idea if you have a problem with the engine or what it could be - but you must be a little worried to respond in such a way. Put your mind at rest - get an AJP expert to look at it eg raven automotive. You can then decide whether to get it fixed, live with it or to sell it on. Where are you based?

[rthierry]

Or you can go to France and get cheap oil. Carrefour sells under its own brand a 100% synthetic 5-50w oil. Price? A reasonable £13 for 5 litres !

[mycerbera]

Gloucester/Swindon/Bristol.
To be fair, the car was serviced at 38000mls and now has 39500mls on it. 1st time I’ve checked oil as only just got it, so if previous owner hadn’t kept it topped up that could account for it. Better keep an eye on it myself and see how it goes I guess.

[GreenV8S]

quote:
Gloucester/Swindon/Bristol.
To be fair, the car was serviced at 38000mls and now has 39500mls on it. 1st time I’ve checked oil as only just got it, so if previous owner hadn’t kept it topped up that could account for it. Better keep an eye on it myself and see how it goes I guess.

I use Mobil 1 4T Motorsport as it is thicker so it doesn't go through as much. There is a knack to measuring the oil level in a Cerbera, if you or the previous owner did it wrong either of you could have ended up over/under-filling it hence the apparent high consumption. I'm not sure what the approved procedure is for a Cerbera but I know it is different for wet and dry sump cars. No doubt your manual will explain.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)