Millers CTV
Turbo Mini Forums

Do many on here use Millers CTV 20/50?

Put some in my Mini yesterday but I'm not sure if whether my Mini really likes it. Was hoping for some thoughts. Mine isn't a turbo-mini (one day hopefully), but after reading through past threads this forum seems more open minded than certain other forums about the CTV oil.

I used to use whatever "decent" Mineral 20/50 I could get - i.e. Millers/Duckams/Comma/Hellfrauds (in that order of preference), but thought I'd give the CTV stuff a try.

The engine was fully rebuilt (1330cc, mspd ph2 cam, std head) about 20/25k miles ago. Gearbox is decent, but for the last year has gotten a bit cranky when it's cold - i.e. doesn't like changing from 3rd down to 2nd. This hasn't been getting any worse, and I just double de-clutch rather than force it.

This morning the gears feel a lot less notchy, but changing down to 2nd or to 1st was much harder. I had to "wait" for the gearbox to "let me" change (or double de-clutch). I've also noticed the oil pressure is higher with the CTV:

Figures (cold idle, cold >2k rpm, warm idle, warm >2k rpm)

Mineral - (60, 60, 40, 60)
CTV - (80, 80, 55, 80)

Is this a problem? I did notice when re-filling the oil, it seemed thicker than normal 20/50.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

this stuff is the dogs bollox imo, worth the money i a performance engine
there was a tech article done by our very own Matt Woods and featured i the mini mag worth a read

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Having to double de-clutch sounds more like problems with synchros rather than the oil. Was the gearbox rebuilt at the same time as the engine?

I agree with above, bit of an iffy synchro on 2nd

I too agree, my box is fairly fresh and i have similar issue's when the oil is cold, but once upto temp its fine

20W50 is too thick to be using in this weather.

Hope it be ok in mine not running in the winter

Craig

my mini van http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=448248

Hope it be ok in mine not running in the winter

Craig

my mini van http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=448248

My oil pressure readings were a bit out. They are more like:

Cold idle - 60psi
Cold >2k - 70psi
Hot idle - 55psi
Hot >2k - 60psi
Hot >4k - 70psi

Are these figures ok, or are they a little on the high side?

Re: gearbox, I don't think it's too much of an issue - I think it's just showing up the current worn gearbox. When it's warm the gears feel MUCH better - a lot more direct, and less sloppy (technical terms!). When it's cold, I think where the mineral oil would let me force it into gear a little earlier than the worn synchros were ready for, with the CTV I have to just wait until the box is ready. Not really an issue - probably a good thing - I double de-clutch it cold anyway.


About 20/50 being too thick, I know some do use 10/40 without issues but I really wouldn't want to. When I had my Mini (7 years ago) I followed the Hellfrauds book which said 10/40 for topping up. As soon as I did, the small oil leak got bigger, it started burning oil and the oil pressure started dropping off badly (when I took the engine out it was 18psi@4k rpm!), and the gearbox felt rough. When I put the new engine in I was told 20/50 only and no real issues.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

good oil pressure!

I'd knock the oil pressure back a little from that, it can push past the turbo seals if its too high.

Ok cheers, it's not a turbo motor at the moment, although at some point in the future I'd like to put a GT15 on and make it into a nice torquey motor.

How do you adjust oil pressure? I assume by shimming the relief valve spring?

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

yep, either stick another copper washer on the relief valve cap or chop a bit off the spring.