Oil additives

Post queries regarding your Mk3 Cavalier's mechanical components (engine, transmission, turbochargers etc.) here
Post Reply
User avatar
Telegram Sam
Registered user
Posts: 1134
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:03 pm
Location: Brigadoon (Co Durham)

Oil additives

Post by Telegram Sam »

On the enthusiastic advice of my garage man I today bought myself a pack of STP Oil Treatment (I had to look twice since they have changed the packing from the silver grey tin that I last used a long time ago). But I've got a feeling that the oil manufacturers take a pretty dim view of anyone adding anything to their precious products (I use GM 10W-40), so we are caught between a rock and .. What is the Mk 3 Club view on this topic?
'91 H-reg SRi "130" manual hatch 8-valve non cat with mods
User avatar
planetc
Registered user
Posts: 6258
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:59 pm
Location: Eating cake in Bexhill On Sea
Contact:

Re: Oil additives

Post by planetc »

If you are using good quality oil and changing it often enough it shouldn't need anything added to it.
"No the temperature gauge doesn't work........
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
User avatar
Gaz
Registered user
Posts: 6985
Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: Manchester

Re: Oil additives

Post by Gaz »

planetc wrote:If you are using good quality oil and changing it often enough it shouldn't need anything added to it.
+1
Image
User avatar
btcctroy
Mk3 Cavalier Rust Buster
Posts: 3760
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:27 pm
Location: Oldham

Re: Oil additives

Post by btcctroy »

Millers 10 50 nanotec. Best oil out today 60quid a tub
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
User avatar
Envoy CDX
Club Admin
Posts: 9652
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:51 pm
Location: Jarrow, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Re: Oil additives

Post by Envoy CDX »

Gaz wrote:
planetc wrote:If you are using good quality oil and changing it often enough it shouldn't need anything added to it.
+1
+2
Check the Rules!

Raw 8v Power! - Bad Cav, Naughty Cav... Cav want's to do 90!

The How2 Index
User avatar
Telegram Sam
Registered user
Posts: 1134
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:03 pm
Location: Brigadoon (Co Durham)

Re: Oil additives

Post by Telegram Sam »

btcctroy wrote:Millers 10 50 nanotec. Best oil out today 60quid a tub
New one on me, that. I'll do some digging but if it's that kind of a price for 4 - 5 L it will have to be pretty damn good. Otherwise I'd stick with the GM and change it twice as often!
'91 H-reg SRi "130" manual hatch 8-valve non cat with mods
User avatar
btcctroy
Mk3 Cavalier Rust Buster
Posts: 3760
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:27 pm
Location: Oldham

Re: Oil additives

Post by btcctroy »

Standard 10 40 oil is fine. Unless you rant the living shit out of it I'd carry on using what your using. Every 6000 is fine. There's high mileage engines still running ok today having used 10 40 all there life
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
User avatar
Telegram Sam
Registered user
Posts: 1134
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:03 pm
Location: Brigadoon (Co Durham)

Re: Oil additives

Post by Telegram Sam »

Yup that's the formula I've been using for the past 223 K miles and it seems to have worked OK though I now change it max every 12 months due to low mileage. Also I've got this thing about taking it extremely easy until the motor has fully warmed up - in theory not necessary but gut feel tells me a cold motor is like me getting out of bed in the morning :(
'91 H-reg SRi "130" manual hatch 8-valve non cat with mods
User avatar
btcctroy
Mk3 Cavalier Rust Buster
Posts: 3760
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:27 pm
Location: Oldham

Re: Oil additives

Post by btcctroy »

Yes that's where the oil viscosity comes in. The Miller's nano oil has been proven to reduce friction from the engine components thus increasing engine power and better mpg
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
User avatar
Telegram Sam
Registered user
Posts: 1134
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:03 pm
Location: Brigadoon (Co Durham)

Re: Oil additives

Post by Telegram Sam »

Sounds rather like the STP blurb on the bottle!! I'd give it (Millers) a try if it wasn't so expensive.l
'91 H-reg SRi "130" manual hatch 8-valve non cat with mods
User avatar
Envoy CDX
Club Admin
Posts: 9652
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:51 pm
Location: Jarrow, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Re: Oil additives

Post by Envoy CDX »

Telegram Sam wrote:Sounds rather like the STP blurb on the bottle!! I'd give it (Millers) a try if it wasn't so expensive.l
Aye, there's plenty of oils to try. But it all comes at a price.
Check the Rules!

Raw 8v Power! - Bad Cav, Naughty Cav... Cav want's to do 90!

The How2 Index
User avatar
Cavalier342
Registered user
Posts: 9818
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:46 pm
Location: Dorset

Re: Oil additives

Post by Cavalier342 »

With regard to cold starts, I drive off at a snail's pace, for the same reasons. Good thing is I live almost a good mile from the main roads, so good time to warm up before joining main traffic. Before I used Castrol GTX high mileage and Magnatec, from now on I'll just stick to GM stuff.

With regard to additives, the only one I've used on the 8v block is the STP Engine Flush, when changing oil a couple of times. I probably wouldn't use any others, unless I had leaks or something. There's an additive for that too, and is a cheaper alternative to stripping the engine down :lol:
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
User avatar
btcctroy
Mk3 Cavalier Rust Buster
Posts: 3760
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:27 pm
Location: Oldham

Re: Oil additives

Post by btcctroy »

It makes no difference. If you drive of at snail pace putting load low down this is just at bad as revving it cold. Just drive it normal. It will make no difference to how it lasts
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
User avatar
Telegram Sam
Registered user
Posts: 1134
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:03 pm
Location: Brigadoon (Co Durham)

Re: Oil additives

Post by Telegram Sam »

>> Low revs + low load. Boss at work has a Porsche, does 100% the opposite when setting off, sounds very impressive but it's painful to think of the wear.
'91 H-reg SRi "130" manual hatch 8-valve non cat with mods
User avatar
Cavalier342
Registered user
Posts: 9818
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:46 pm
Location: Dorset

Re: Oil additives

Post by Cavalier342 »

No, light load. I never labour a cold engine, I agree it is just as bad as revving it from cold.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
Post Reply