Author Topic: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure  (Read 5646 times)

mrocchitelli

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Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« on: April 29, 2014, 22:22:47 »
Hello Everyone,

I am the proud owner of a beautiful 250 SL, after almost a year work we will put the car back in the road.  

However the oil pressure of the engine is not so high and I wanted to ask what is the best possible lubricant oil that I could use to improve this situation.  

Traditional, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic? 20/40 or 10/50 ??

Please give me your precious advise on this.

Thanks
« Last Edit: April 29, 2014, 23:43:10 by 280SL71 »

Jack Jones

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2014, 01:37:49 »
Olio extra vergine di oliva  ;D
Jack Jones                                                                                                   
1970 280SL 4 Speed
1984 280SL 5 Speed

Cees Klumper

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2014, 03:28:55 »
First of all welcome to the group. Not sure about the best oil for your engine, but I would think a thicker oil might be better? But to start off with, make sure your gauge is giving you an accurate reading, ie it's not the gauge that is the problem.and perhaps it's as simple as replacing the oil pump, rather than more involved engine work..
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

jameshoward

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2014, 05:18:21 »
If the pressure gauge is not pegged right at the top after he engine is warmed up when you are driving, I'd consider some investigation of that issue as Cees says, rather than trying to change to a thicker oil - say 20w-50 - as if there is a problem with oil pressure it needs sorting.
James Howard
1966 LHD 230SL

Paul & Dolly

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2014, 06:09:37 »
Welcome to the group.

Low oil pressure is an INDICATOR of a problem - not the actual problem,
I think you need to investigate what problems you have with the engine.

I would start with the basics....
As Cees says check the gauge first...

Is the oil and the oil filter new ?
when were they last changed ?
What oil is in now ?
Is the correct filter fitted?
Is it fitted correctly?

There are many choices for the oil, and MUCH has been discussed on this site.
I, and quite a few others (in Northern Europe) use a
non synthetic 20/50, such as Valvoline Racing 20/50.

Good luck,
and look for the cause of the problem.

Paul
Paul (located in Cardiff - Wales - UK)
1967 Early 250 SL (Auto) White
Mitsubishi i Car
Toyota RAV 4  Hybrid AWD
1936 Alvis Firebird (Gone............)

mrocchitelli

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2014, 06:36:37 »
The gauge has been checked and it works.  My mechanic is now in the process of replacing the oil pump, which as everyone seems to agree is the easyest fix before opening up the engine.

I will go with the non-synthetic 20/50 then?

jameshoward

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2014, 09:03:34 »
20W 50 is good. Get one that has a high zinc content if you can find it. Some diesel oils meet the requirement. If money isn't a key concern, you could look at the Shell oil for classic cars (horribly over-priced in my humble opinion). Halfords in the UK does a good classic car 20W 50 for about £20 for 5 litres. I'm a big fan of that.
James Howard
1966 LHD 230SL

GGR

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2014, 10:38:37 »
Benvenuto!

A common mistake is to put modern thinner oil than what the engine was designed for. The result is a low oil pressure reading. These engines were commonly using 15w40 in the winter, and 20w50 in the summer in hotter places like southern Europe. With these oils, with a warm engine, 1kg or 15psi at idle is acceptable. The needle must then go to max reading as soon as you give it some throttle. If you don't have that, you then need to investigate. Your oil pump may not be the problem. Usually worn rod bearings will result in lower oil pressure. Check for metal particles in your oil, at the bottom of the oil pan or in your oil filter which would be an indicator. You need to diagnose your problem precisely as changing parts until the problem is solved can sometimes end up into being a very expensive method, especially given the price of MB parts.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2014, 10:45:05 by GGR »

ja17

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Re: Best Motor Oil for Engine with Low Oil Pressure
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2014, 12:59:24 »
During oil pan removal, you can closely inspect the pan for any debris.  Copper flakes could be a sign of bearing problems. If you find a lot of metal you may want to re-consider installing the new oil pump. Circulating metal particles through it will ruin it. I know they are very expensive these days.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback