Best oil and filter?

[Smithy111]

Ive now hit 1000 miles on the rebuilt engine and want to change the oil and filter. Any recommendations on a particularly good oil and filter?

Also can anyone tell me what the volume difference is between min and max on the dip stick?

Edited September 30, 2018 by Smithy111

[ChrisJ]

I used Castrol Magnatec for the first 10,000 miles after my piston/liners were replaced on my Esprit, I've now switched to Castrol Edge or Mobil 1. Am currently running in my Excel engine (Nikisil failure), same oil. 1500 miles limited to 3000 rpm, then 500rpm increase every 500 miles.

Might seem a long distance, but it was what Gerald @ GST recommended to prevent the possibility of getting a "slow" engine.

Lotus OEM oil filter.

[drdoom]

You might wish to seek further advice from well accredited engine builders on the matter of break-in. As I have been advised the iron liners, should they be what you have, are quite hard and so want a rather smooth finish upon rebuild. There seems little reason to coddle a new engine, given today's technology. None of the mechanics of my acquaintance have remarked to the contrary, while there are those who do caution against coddling for fear of not bedding in the rings. Still, I'm unaware of any directions currently offered by OEM's in regard to break-in and would point out that many cars are sold with synthetic oil on board right out of the box. Do be particular on the selection of filter as seemingly informed types have described substantial variances in quality of construction from brand to brand. Redline, out of California, offer some measure of information pertaining to selection of oil though older era Lotus are no longer addressed. A few years back they had specified 10W-40 for the 9xx series engines, declaring better viscosity at the bearing interface in working conditions than any 20W-50 crude based oil.

Cheers 

[sailorbob]

Here's an excellent article on oil for the 9xx engine by Tim Engle on page 4 http://intermarque.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMM1008.pdf

[Smithy111]

I was thinking of the k&n oil filter as the hex on the end will no doubt aid fitting and removal as its located in an awkward place and seems to get good reviews. Oil wise im currently looking at the Castrol Edge 10w/60 which it seems most people use in the 9xx engines. Currently has valvoline (i believe 10w/60) which needs a top up unless i replace it all. Oil appears relatively clean on dip stick and was thinking about leaving it in a bit longer and just topping up?

[gvy]

I am using shell helix ultra racing 10W60.

If the  prancing horses settle for  this brand and type, I guess my lotus will also be OK with it.🙄 Although this should not be a reason to choose an oil brand.

Developed in association with Ferrari for racing and modified engines

[philcool]

I've always used Shell in all my cars and the only reason is at work of 35years changing oil in refrigeration systems. I've never had a bad batch from shell and the consistent quality stands above the rest and the oils we use are under far more chalenging conditions as thay mix with the differant R efrigerants and have to be able to opperate in temp ranges from 150"C to -90"C and still lubricate for thousands of hours opperation. And in my opinion Shell have never let me down unlike some other famous brands that have waxed up at low temps have been deliverd already containing to much moisture or have reacted to the refrigerant even when suposidly sutible for the aplication.

So based on that Shell for me every Time and have never had an engine issue 

[gvy]

Now , THAT, is a good reason to choose a brand 👍.

I'm happy I have the shell helix ultra racing 10W60 in the engine and I will consider using the same at the next oil change.

[esprit22]

On 01/10/2018 at 23:22, Smithy111 said:

I was thinking of the k&n oil filter as the hex on the end will no doubt aid fitting and removal as its located in an awkward place and seems to get good reviews. Oil wise im currently looking at the Castrol Edge 10w/60 which it seems most people use in the 9xx engines. Currently has valvoline (i believe 10w/60) which needs a top up unless i replace it all. Oil appears relatively clean on dip stick and was thinking about leaving it in a bit longer and just topping up?

I use the k&n filter for these reasons, the filter has a non return valve inside which stops all the oil from draining back to the sump, so starting up is obviously "safer", yes it has a nut on the end which does help fitting/removal, and it is made by a "proper" Company. Oil is Castrol Edge.

[Smithy111]

I’m torn between the Castrol and Shell now!

if I want to just top up a bit for a few weeks is it ok to use a bit of 10w/40? (Has valvoline 20w/50 at moment in)

Edited October 3, 2018 by Smithy111

[slewthy]

Well, they cost exactly the same too from Opie. So that doesnt help!!

 

[Smithy111]

The Shell is £1 less per 1l top up bottle 😂

It’s gone from just under half to minimum on the dipstick after doing a 300 mile return trip for the Lotus 70th, if im just topping up this is what I’ve found in the garage would either be ok for a 1/4 litre top up or best to leave it on minimum? I have to drive it a short way on Saturday.

[Escape]

I'd be inclined to leave it on minimum rather than add the wrong oil. Or better yet, just pop down your local store and get any 20W50 to top up. 😉

The K&N is a good choice, makes changing so much easier!

[gvy]

Filip, may I disagree just a bit ....😉

I think the most common advice around is that "necessity knows no law".

If the choice has to be made between driving with oillevel low (or to low) and mixing the wrong blend (what is available), then most specialists will advice to top up with whats available and that will do no harm. choose the 0W40 in your garage to top up. The temperatures are already getting colder, no real hot conditions anymore, so to top up with a quart of the  0W40 will make the oil mixture  just a little bit thinner ( viscosity) and that will do no harm at all to your engine in this season.

Or , as Filip  says choose any brand of 20W50 in the neighbourhood (regular is really cheap) and that would even be better.

That said, It is not recommendable to mix oils as a normal practice. Different oils have different additives and they may not always do there job when blendend.

About blending regular and synthetic oils:

https://www.thoughtco.com/mixing-regular-and-synthetic-oil-p2-607586

Mixing Motor Oil

According to Mobil Oil, it should be fine to mix oils. This manufacturer states it would be unlikely anything bad would happen, such as a gel-forming from an interaction of the chemicals (a common fear), because the oils are compatible with each other. Many oils are a blend of natural and synthetic oils. So, if you are low on oil, don't be afraid to add a quart or two of synthetic oil if you are using regular oil or even regular oil if you are using a synthetic. You don't need to rush right out and get an oil change so you'll have "pure" oil.

 

Possible Negative Effects

It is not recommended to routinely mix oils because the additives in different products may interact or the oils may become destabilized by the mixture. You may reduce or negate the properties of the additives. You could lose the benefits of the more expensive synthetic oil. So, adding regular oil to your special synthetic oil will mean you'll need to get your oil changed sooner than you would have otherwise. If you have a high-performance engine, it's possible it will be displeased if the (expensive) additives can't work the way they are supposed to. This may not damage your engine, but it won't help its performance.

 

Hope this helps.

Geert

Edited October 5, 2018 by gvy

[Andyww]

On 02/10/2018 at 05:48, sailorbob said:

Here's an excellent article on oil for the 9xx engine by Tim Engle on page 4 http://intermarque.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMM1008.pdf

There was a subsequent discussion on this on the Esprit FB page and the outcome was Mobil 1 10-60 was not included in Tim's list as its not available in the US.

When I mentioned it is available in the UK, Tim replied that would definitely be his recommendation based on the factors mentioned in his article.

[Escape]

Geert, I don't think we really disagree. If the oil level is too low, you add anything you have at hand. I have been in such an emergency twice myself, both times after a pipe to the oil cooler blew. I topped up, drove home and changed the oil before driving the Esprit again. But from my understanding, Smithy has his Esprit at home, no urgency to use it and the level is at minimum, so not too low. In that case I'd look for some 20W50 rather than add something else.

Filip

[Smithy111]

Well its currently stuck on a ramp at my local lotus specialist awaiting a rear hub nut but i decided to get some of the correct valvoline vr1 20/50 to top up before driving it home (10  min drive). Then probably switch to castol edge super car 10/60 and an k&n oil filter next month.