Big Brother Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 My Zetec is getting close to starting now, so I need to get some oil for running in the engine. Most posts say that the Zetec needs 5W-30 oil to avoid problems with rattly followers. That's fine, but I have not been able to track down any mineral based 5W-30 localy. Comma do a semi-synthetic 5W-30 that's only £14 for 5 litres. Would this be suitable for running in the engine? Also, as I plan to change the oil on a regular basis and the engine will mainly see road use - would the above semi-synthetic oil be suitable for everyday use? Steve SE7EN-UP! Incorporating the Caterham Links Database Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 Cant give you any sort of 'qualified' technical answer, I can only tell you what I have done. I run my zetec on castol gtx 5w-30 semi synth for the past 5 years , a lot of trackdays and its still going strong today , 20000 miles later, same oil pressure as when new. I dont know of any fully mineral 5w-30 either, I ran mine in on the castrol semi synth stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 Use a 10w/40 mnineral base for the running in, then change over to the 5w/30 or better later. X/FLOW 1700 DD 1990 ROAD USE ONLY..SO FAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hi Se7en-up I have run my Zetec for 10,000 miles since June on Shell Hellix semi synth and haven't had a problem, the only time I did have a problem is when I put Fully synth in and my so took it for a dam good thashing and came back with ticking Lifters, so ran it a couple more times and the same thing happend so changed back to semi synth and everthing has been OK, don't know why this is I thought that fully synth would be better but the engine dosn't seem to like it I did 3,500 miles in Germany in the summer in very warm temps and never had ticking lifters but as soon as I put fully synth in they tick an old sewing machine hope this has been a help Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Steve, Halfords used to do a mineral 5/30.. I'd be surprised if they had stopped doing it. Does this mean you have the ECU? Phil Waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 ☹️Still waiting ☹️ Apart from the ECU, fluids and enlarging the hole in the side skin slightly, its ready to go Steve SE7EN-UP! Incorporating the Caterham Links Database Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Voyant Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 As a club member is a specialist in oil why not call him? Oilman (many, many posts here) sales@opieoils.co.uk You will probably end up with the right stuff at the right price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hi again se7en-up what E.C.U are you waiting for, I hope its not the GEMS E.C.U, I waited 10 weeks last year for one, and ended up canceling and getting an Emerald which works very well by the way. I used a lot of Raceline stuff and that was the one they recomend, but its used on the Rally scobies so they get theres first, hope this isn't the case Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 Paul, I'm going for a Megajolt (as I'm keeping the carbs) The ECU is ready, its just Bill (who's supplying it) has had Flu so has been out of action for a couple of weeks. Steve SE7EN-UP! Incorporating the Caterham Links Database Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hi again se7en -up thank god for that, I waited for ever the car was built by the end of Febuary and in the end wasn't on the road till June it great fun now thou, love the Zetec a very under rated engine Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Paul The Zetec is a fantastic engine. Very nice to drive and virtually maintenance free. If it wasn't for the Duratec I would still have one. Hardly ever hear of a Zetec going wrong. AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Lots of suppliers do a 10w/30 mineral base if you are worried, use this to run it in. Shell Helix is a 10w/40 semi and not a bad oil but a 30grade would be better for this application. ROLLBAR, very good point, phone oilman and get the correct answer as many will have an opinion on this subject. Some people take there cars for a dam good thrashing, return and turn the engine off to let the hot components burn the oil onto metal parts and then noises occur. Let your engine run for a couple of minutes when you get back especialy after a couple of laps on the track. People do this for turbo engines. X/FLOW 1700 DD 1990 ROAD USE ONLY..SO FAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hi AMMO yes I agree and I have herd that you are the man to talk to about Zetec tuning, so when I get some of the money I have lent my son to build his Westfield, also fitted with a Zetec I will be after some fast road cams Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilman Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 To meet the 5w pour criteria, all 5w oils will contain a synthetic content however at lot are hydrocracked (mineral based oils). A 5w-30 semi-synthetic is fine for running in as it will be mineral based. Cheers Simon Contact me: sales@opieoils.co.uk Oil data: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/lubricants.htm 01209 215164 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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