1985 L200 with 2L 4G63 - What oil should I use?

[ostlar]

Hi,

Bought a 1985 L200 a while ago, it has a 2L 4G63 carburated engine.

I'm wondering what oil I should use for it?

The previous owner can't remember what he put in it, the oil looks new but in case it goes below minimum I need to refill something that would fit the engine and hopefully be the same as the previous owner used.

Would mineral 5W-40 be okay? I use synthetic 5W-40 on my 1989 Galant with a 2L 4G63 injection due to the cold weather in Norway and the tiny oil ducts for the valve cover. Any thicker oil will take longer to arrive so it ticks loudly until it gets warm (apparently normal on the newer 4G63s, my other 1991 Galant GTi w/DOHC 4G63 also has it)

[tortron]

there is a manual in the manuals area (accessable by donating to the site)

manual states
constant use below -12C
5w20, 5w30, 5w40

may be used as low as -12C
10w30, 10w40,10w50, 5w20

above 0
10w30 10w40 20w20 20w30 20w40 20w50

so its within spec

[ostlar]

there is a manual in the manuals area (accessable by donating to the site)

manual states
constant use below -12C
5w20, 5w30, 5w40

may be used as low as -12C
10w30, 10w40,10w50, 5w20

above 0
10w30 10w40 20w20 20w30 20w40 20w50

so its within spec

I didn't even think of having a look in the manual... :rolleyes: I do have the original manual, but thanks for the info!

[ostlar]

Hello again, I'm wondering if I should go with mineral, semi-synthetic or synthetic oil? Does it matter other than longevity?

[MrPaco]

Ostlar, this doesn't really answer your question directly, but you might want to read this thread. There's some good observations and opinions about ZDDPs and out trucks, also you'll find a lot of member's oil preferences in it.

http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/showthread.php/393-MUST-READ-ZDDP-and-why-our-trucks-need-this-in-the-OIL

[ostlar]

Ostlar, this doesn't really answer your question directly, but you might want to read this thread. There's some good observations and opinions about ZDDPs and out trucks, also you'll find a lot of member's oil preferences in it.

http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/showthread.php/393-MUST-READ-ZDDP-and-why-our-trucks-need-this-in-the-OIL

Interesting, thank you. Previous owner said to buy lead substitute and add it to each tank of gas. My 1980 Chevy Malibu with a '72 Corvette 350 engine in it needs oil with zinc added, I got some Gulf Oil from my local Amcar workshop that I use. Maybe that kind would work on the L200 too.

[geezer101]

A lot of engine builders will recommend using synthetic oil as it doesn't break down into sludge and deposit itself in the engine. That being said, you should not mix synthetic and mineral oils together. It can cause the oils to react badly with each other and clog everything up (it'll look like the oil has never been changed in the life of the engine - not good). It looks like you will need a light grade oil to cope with cold conditions. It shouldn't need a lead substitute in the fuel but Mitsubishi recommended using 91+ in it. You will find it will run better on premium fuel and it will respond with ignition timing re-tuning for power.