Hi.
I am wondering if anybody could give me some advice, checked the oil on my Nippy
Today and found that the oil had turned a light grey! I have read a couple of old Austin 7
Maintence books which say the cause could be due to unburnt fuel or condensation.
They also this could be due to starting the car but not taking it out for a run, which is exactly
what I have been doing over the past year. I have noticed that it runs abit lumpy at first,
But then after the choke is pushed in, it runs smoother. I also haven't noticed a lose of
Coolant either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, do I have a major water leak?

Many thanks
Jonathan

Location: West Yorkshire

If you have been regularly starting the engine but not getting the car properly warm with a run then it is highly likely to be condensation. If that is the case a proper run, not just round the block but a good 20 miles or more, should evaporate most of this off. Unfortunately your practice will have been doing more harm than good, amongst other things condensation is one of the prime causes of shortened rear main beating life.

Location: NZ

Thanks Ian, I will try and take it out for a 20 mile run, do you think it is wise to change the oil?
If so what grade oil do I use, the engine is a 1937 ruby.

Many thanks
Jonathan

Location: West Yorkshire

I use a modern 20/50 oil on a totally rebuilt engine, but don't , I repeat don't use a modern oil on an aged engine, use straight 30 or 40 grade

Location: Oakley, hants

You will not do any harm changing the oil and it is probably a good idea to do so, a good 20/50 will be fine. Many members of this forum use supermarket oil with no apparent issues, do a search there are plenty of threads here on the subject, although with the myriad of advice offered it is easy for the uninitiated to become confused. What have you used in the past? I assume you change the oil regularly! remember this is an unfiltered system so modern oil change intervals do not apply.

Location: NZ

Just to clarify, the reason for not putting modern oils into an unknown engine was based on experience. The modern oil contains cleaners , some older engines rely heavily on carbon deposits to help compression which I found out to my expense.

Location: Oakley , hants

Accumulation of water was certainly damaging with original oils but am surprised modern goes grey due only condensation. Esp to the extent of being evident on the dipstick. Are you using a classic oil of mere API SB rating or suchlike?

The habit of starting cars just to move in and out of the garage is best avoided. I still push family cars to avoid a cold short starts.

On sleeve valve cars it used to be reckoned that these improved with mileage and carbon build up but usually undesirable. Clogged oil rings were a feature of engines years ago.

Oil companies often claim that modern oils will prevent deposits but not substantially remove, but many consider modern oil will release sediment accumulated in the oilways, the usual reason for avoiding. I suspect a long hot run will likely do this anyway.

Location: Auckland, NZ

Many thanks for the valuable advice, hopefully not much damage caused.