Recomended "State of the Art" lubricants, grease and fluids
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I am looking for the right lubricants, what i've found is:
Engine: SAE 20W 50 (temperate climates) or SAE 10W 40 (cold climates)
Gearbox: EP80
Diff: EP90
Stromberg: Damper oil SAE 20W 50
Steering, probshaft, trunnion,...: standard grease should be ok
hubs: high temperature grease whit graphite for better fail-safe features
Cooling system: ???
Clutch: Same as in brake system (i'll change to DOT 5 silicone, because of the fit and forget advantage)
Brake: DOT 3.1 or 4.1 (i'll change to DOT 5 silicone, because of the fit and forget advantage)
What are your experiences and what are your recommendations?
Thanks.
Engine: SAE 20W 50 (temperate climates) or SAE 10W 40 (cold climates)
Gearbox: EP80
Diff: EP90
Stromberg: Damper oil SAE 20W 50
Steering, probshaft, trunnion,...: standard grease should be ok
hubs: high temperature grease whit graphite for better fail-safe features
Cooling system: ???
Clutch: Same as in brake system (i'll change to DOT 5 silicone, because of the fit and forget advantage)
Brake: DOT 3.1 or 4.1 (i'll change to DOT 5 silicone, because of the fit and forget advantage)
What are your experiences and what are your recommendations?
Thanks.
- 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint LHD/DHC
- 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK II - Sold 09.05.2016
Sorry for my bad survival English
- 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK II - Sold 09.05.2016
Sorry for my bad survival English
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mariodschy - Second Gear
- Posts: 121
- Joined: 10 Jan 2013
Once you use DOT5 in, in case you want to change, you have to clean all through and eliminate any remainder.
DOT5 is not compatible with anything else.
If you want to use something "better", use DOT 5.1, which is basically a DOT4 with a very high "wet" (3,5 % water) boiling point (? 180?C) and it gets "wet" slower.
And DOT 5.1 is compatible with DOT3/4, you should not mix it, but you do not need to fully extract an old brake fluid when putting 5.1 in.
DOT5 is not compatible with anything else.
If you want to use something "better", use DOT 5.1, which is basically a DOT4 with a very high "wet" (3,5 % water) boiling point (? 180?C) and it gets "wet" slower.
And DOT 5.1 is compatible with DOT3/4, you should not mix it, but you do not need to fully extract an old brake fluid when putting 5.1 in.
Last edited by gherlt on Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1964 S1 (at paint shop)
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
- gherlt
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 636
- Joined: 20 Jul 2006
I speak from direct experience
Definitely do NOT use silicone fluid in brake or clutch. It becomes "soft" at hi temp, fades, even in clutch slave cylinder. Use non silicone 5.1 for anti-fade characteristics.
For motor oil use a hi zinc content oil. I use Mobil 1 "Extended Performance" (https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/synthetic) for it's hi zinc content on the street and Mobil 1 Racing or Redline on the track.
If it's a street motor with 160 0r 180 degree thermostat I would use 10/40, not 20/50 in spirited street driving in normal summer weather.
Redline in the Tranny greatly improved shifting in my car and I use it in the diff (different formula- check for the hypoid lube ) as well
Eric
64 S1 Hart
CT, USA
Definitely do NOT use silicone fluid in brake or clutch. It becomes "soft" at hi temp, fades, even in clutch slave cylinder. Use non silicone 5.1 for anti-fade characteristics.
For motor oil use a hi zinc content oil. I use Mobil 1 "Extended Performance" (https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/synthetic) for it's hi zinc content on the street and Mobil 1 Racing or Redline on the track.
If it's a street motor with 160 0r 180 degree thermostat I would use 10/40, not 20/50 in spirited street driving in normal summer weather.
Redline in the Tranny greatly improved shifting in my car and I use it in the diff (different formula- check for the hypoid lube ) as well
Eric
64 S1 Hart
CT, USA
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ecamiel - Third Gear
- Posts: 263
- Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Although silicone brake fluid sounds great at first glance, it is definitely the wrong thing to use in a performance or classic brake system. There are two main reasons:
Silicone fluid goes "spongy" especially as temperature rises so the harder you work your brakes the worse it gets.
A "closed circuit" brake system as in the Elan and any other automotive system of which I am aware will still take in water vapour due to the vacuum pulled at various parts of the cycle. This moisture is absorbed in a glycol based fluid (DOT3, 4 or 5.1) but not in silicone fluid (DOT5) so it condenses and settles to low points in the system where it will corrode metal parts.
As most classic cars do not do high annual mileage that can result in a lethal situation especially if the brake system is as the originally designed single circuit system where a failure results in zero primary braking.
"Fit and forget" is absolutely the wrong philosophy to use for brake fluid no matter which type is used.
Silicone fluid goes "spongy" especially as temperature rises so the harder you work your brakes the worse it gets.
A "closed circuit" brake system as in the Elan and any other automotive system of which I am aware will still take in water vapour due to the vacuum pulled at various parts of the cycle. This moisture is absorbed in a glycol based fluid (DOT3, 4 or 5.1) but not in silicone fluid (DOT5) so it condenses and settles to low points in the system where it will corrode metal parts.
As most classic cars do not do high annual mileage that can result in a lethal situation especially if the brake system is as the originally designed single circuit system where a failure results in zero primary braking.
"Fit and forget" is absolutely the wrong philosophy to use for brake fluid no matter which type is used.
Mechanical Engineer, happily retired!
'67 S3 SE FHC
See Facebook page: W J Barry Photography
Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
'67 S3 SE FHC
See Facebook page: W J Barry Photography
Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
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Galwaylotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: 01 May 2006
Regarding coolant, stay away from the "Long Life" types due to incompatibility with the metal chemistry in the Elan system.
Millers makes a good 20w-50 oil that meets Lotus Twin Cam requirements. It's not that expensive and tends to leak less than the synthetic oil alternatives. The Twin Cam was designed for this type of oil so bearing clearances are appropriate for its use.
Millers makes a good 20w-50 oil that meets Lotus Twin Cam requirements. It's not that expensive and tends to leak less than the synthetic oil alternatives. The Twin Cam was designed for this type of oil so bearing clearances are appropriate for its use.
Mechanical Engineer, happily retired!
'67 S3 SE FHC
See Facebook page: W J Barry Photography
Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
'67 S3 SE FHC
See Facebook page: W J Barry Photography
Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
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Galwaylotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: 01 May 2006
ecamiel wrote:I speak from direct experience
......Redline in the Tranny greatly improved shifting in my car and I use it in the diff (different formula- check for the hypoid lube ) as well
Eric
64 S1 Hart
CT, USA
Hello Eric,
Which Redline product did you use in the transmission? I tried the Redline MTL (Manual Transmission Lube) and the synchros did not like it. I put 80w90 valvoline synthetic and it worked fine.
What product did you use in the diff?
Thank you!
Regards,
Dan Wise
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1425
- Joined: 26 Sep 2003
rgh0 wrote:Hi Dan
If Redline MTL did not work in your gear box then there is some problem with your box
cheers
Rohan
That's what I thought at the time. I think the MTL I used might have been too light, 75W80 which was the original grade.
Gearbox has been fine with the Valvoline for over 15 years. Perhaps I should try a different flavor of Redline next time.
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1425
- Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Refine do two favors of mtl, mtl (70/80) and mt-90 (75/90).
I put standard mtl in the lotus 5 speed box but yet to drive it. Have some mt-90 on the shelf for the daily driver.
I put standard mtl in the lotus 5 speed box but yet to drive it. Have some mt-90 on the shelf for the daily driver.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
- mbell
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: 07 Jun 2013
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