The oil systems are different. The MG has a simple pressure relief valve and if you have a cooler the oil passes through it all the time regardless of temperature (unless an oil thermostat is fitted). The VW system tries to control pressure oil viscosity and the relief valve bypasses the cooler if the pressure is high. Unfortunately it doesn’t control either the pressure or the viscosity very well, especially if ‘improvements’ have been made – wrong pump, wrong oil, wrong relief valve spring. 20w50 is fine in the MG (B series engine) and many people use it in their VW – but have no idea what the oil pressure or temperature is.
I got that Mobil 1000x1 15w40 in Halfords yesterday. Its a mineral oil with a decent amount of zddp in it. £25 for 5ltrs.
Barry synchronises oil changes with changing his underpants, so 3k should be ok, otherwise the laundry mounts up...
It’s really not difficult, look in your handbook and follow what VW recommended for your engine and climate. Or follow what snotty says. 20w50 will probably do for most conditions, 15w40 should also be fine, especially when the temperatures are cool and/or the engine is fresh. 10w40 might be too thin for summer. Oils marketed with ‘Motorsport’ or ‘Classic’ brand names will probably contain sufficient quantities of ZDDP for flat tappet engines, including the air-cooled VW.
If you’re cleaning your oil strainer as well Baz, don’t forget not to heave on the mounting bolt, or bad things may happen...
It’s the big bolt on its own next to the star-shaped plate, *not* the one in the middle of the plate.
