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[jacque de lad]

Back in the 1970s I used to swear by Duckhams Q20/50 motor oil (the green stuff), as did many others who were driving around in old rust buckets with many thousands on the clock. I see now that it is available once again and I was wondering if this oil would be suitable for diesel engines, in particular, my 19J 2.5 DT, or is it only any good for petrol engines

[Wittsend]

Why not have a look at their website

Duckhams Classic 20W50 oil

They claim it is suitable for diesel engines of a certain age 

Note: It is sold through Opie Oils and S2C members cn claim a discount.



 

[lynall]

Thats 6 quid per litre for old school oil!
More sensible price buying in 10/20 litres from ebay, Mannol brand seems quite good and i use their oil in all my cars.

Here you go 1 whole quid more for twice as much, and 2.74 quid per litre,  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mannol-Safari-SAE-20W-50-Mineral-Engine-Oil-10L-API-SL-CF/303081766608?hash=item469114bed0:g:W5EAAOSw8Ppc-Av1

[oilstain]

Whilst I always liked a 20/50 and still use it in my 2.0 Land Rover petrol engine I was advised to use 10/40 or 15/40 in my 2.5 petrol engine and 200TDI although these engines seem in good condition they are "old"

[milesr3]

Co-incidentally (or not) Halfords Classic 20w50 oil is green and claims to do wonders for older vehicles. The description is word for word identical to Comma classic oil.

Last oil change I used Comma Motorway 20w50 at £13.49 for 4.5l from my local Wilco which is "A traditional multigrade oil suitable for older higher mileage petrol and non-turbo charged diesel engines". It's the same as the above, but without additives according to the bloke behind the counter.

[oilstain]

^^^^^"A traditional multigrade oil suitable for older higher mileage petrol and non-turbo charged diesel engines"
- what does older/higher mileage actually mean, as in what number

and is it wise/unwise to flush (with flushing agent) a older engine as part of a oil change, I thought unwise but I have a can on the shelf

Also unless we have tha original engine but a replacement seconhand engine with millage we were "told" how can you now the millage

[milesr3]

I think it's fair to say that all of our engines are older and the mileage is less relevant.

I've never used a flushing oil (and I also have a can on the shelf). Prefer to change the oil more often than needed.

Some interesting reading on ZDDP, added by Duckhams; https://www.duckhams.com/zddp-what-does-it-all-mean/

[armalites]

The only benefit I can see in using that Duckhams would be nostalgia.

You can get 25L of 10W40-15W40 multifleet delivered to you door for £50-60 on ebay which would sort you for 4 oil changes.

The oil market has become a minefield and people will have you believe you will blow you engine up just but putting 50ml of the wrong oil in.

Most of these thin oils are more about engine efficiency, my Volvo specifies 0W30 which is like water and that zero adds to the price. The hand book has a chart showing the temperature ranges for different grades which seem to infer that you can use other grades for different temperatures.

I run 5W30 as it means I can use one oil for our daily drivers, my car is normally running for 40 mins plus which means for most of the time my 5W30 is no different to 0W30 ie when the oil is up to temperture. I change it every 4-5K. Back when I was running Volvo T5 everyone on the forums were going on about Mobil 1 and fancy oils, I ran 15W40 multifleet and that was listed in the handbook. Sold the first one with 306K miles

I fully understand if you have a new car then running the right oil would be important for warranty but most likely wouldn't be doing oil changes anyway.

Oils have moved on massively since Duckhams was a household name.

Lack of ZDDP is an issue with newly rebuilt aircooled VW engines, Millers do a Classic oil that has it but this is unlikely to be an issue on old 19J.

[Wittsend]

I like Duckhams because it’s a green oil

[Eve]

^^^^ you are such a wit, Wittsend  :)

[milesr3]

The only benefit I can see in using that Duckhams would be nostalgia.

Indeed. You can get the Comma 20w50 I used for £10.49 delivered to your door off eBay. £21 for an oil change with 1.6l left for topping up.

[Porkscratching]

Thats 6 quid per litre for old school oil!
More sensible price buying in 10/20 litres from ebay, Mannol brand seems quite good and i use their oil in all my cars.

Here you go 1 whole quid more for twice as much, and 2.74 quid per litre,  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mannol-Safari-SAE-20W-50-Mineral-Engine-Oil-10L-API-SL-CF/303081766608?hash=item469114bed0:g:W5EAAOSw8Ppc-Av1

The Mannol stuff I've also been using for quite a while and is fine...can't see the point in paying double meself, just for the Groovy Green colour...

[Wittsend]

I've used Halfords Classic Oil before now, works well and it's also GREEN 

Sometimes they have it on offer....
Even cheaper on a trade card.



 

[oilstain]

Even cheaper on a trade card.



 

good point, could series 11 members get trade cards throug the club

[Wittsend]

We've tried ... a few years back they did "allow" members of car clubs to go on the "list".
You have to prove that you are associated with the motor trade.

I guess it depends on how their sales are going