1996 Land Rover discovery oil

[Newuser]

Just got my old 1996 Land Rover discovery running again. I’m based in the U.S. so it’s the V8 engine.

It’s been awhile, and I cannot remember what oil is commonly used? I think people used rotella but formulations change. I believe this motor has a flat tappet cam

 

[GSCJR]

I recommend 5w-40

 

[Newuser]

I recommend 5w-40

Any brand? The flat tappet cam is my main concern. Whenever stuff started taking the zinc away, people started to run Rotella in these. But that has changed over the years too.

Not sure what’s safe to use

 

[facility1]

consider Royal Purple HPS, 10w-40 ,hths of 4.4 and it has decent low temp properties.also change the other oils ,as transmission oil, transfer case ,grease , differential oil ,etc and a fuel conditioner, along with a proper tune up service.

 

[4WD]

I thought a LR discovered oil with Jed shooting at some food - and Jethro at the wheel calculating the reserves

 

[harbor]

Check with member wings&wheels. He’s one of the forum’s LR gurus.

 

[GSCJR]

M1 5w-40 European Car Formula

 

[ka9mnx]

Does it have the Ford 5.0?

 

[wpod]

Any brand? The flat tappet cam is my main concern. Whenever stuff started taking the zinc away, people started to run Rotella in these. But that has changed over the years too.

Not sure what’s safe to use

Those engines stock did not have high pressure valve springs.

 

[Newuser]

Does it have the Ford 5.0?

Old Buick v8

 

[Newuser]

Those engines stock did not have high pressure valve springs.

So are the worry owners have regarding zinc doesn’t matter?

Why I post here!

 

[ka9mnx]

Old Buick v8

So are the worry owners have regarding zinc doesn’t matter?

Why I post here!

Oh, OK. 5w-30 or 10w-30 would have been spec'd in that engine, or my favorite Euro 5w-40.

If it's an old (60's) Buick it has a flat tappet cam. If it's a 96 Buick it's a roller. Regardless, They are not picky and any modern oil (SM, SN, SN+ and SP) will not harm your engine. My F-150 4.0L flat tappet cam engine has had every modern oil that has come along. High ZN oils are over hyped and reserved for performance engines with high lift cams, long duration and high valve spring pressures.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

So are the worry owners have regarding zinc doesn’t matter?

Why I post here!

Buick guy here. Your cam is worn in. Recommend a quality 10W30 formulated with a Moly and Boron DP. (BUT NOT Castrol Edge)
The cam will be gone by 120k miles typically regardless of oil choice.

How many smiles do you have on the old gal?

Rebuilt a 340 SBB a couple years ago. Runs very strong.

Man, I am getting a lot of miles out of this photo, LOL.

 

[OVERKILL]

A full-SAPS Euro 5W-40 or 0W-40 would be my pick, has the higher levels of phosphorous that you desire (though, unlikely to require in this application). Something with LL-01, MB 229.5...etc.

 

[Newuser]

Buick guy here. Your cam is worn in. Recommend a quality 10W30 with Moly and Boron DP. (BUT NOT Castrol Edge)
The cam will be gone by 120k miles typically regardless of oil choice.

How many smiles do you have on the old gal?

Rebuilt a 340 SBB a couple years ago. Runs very strong.

Man, I am getting a lot of miles out of this photo, LOL.

View attachment 236880

Factory it calls for a 10w-40. It’s the ole 4.0 V8. Solid power around town. Slow on the freeway though.

I’ve had it for ages, and have gotten a ton of smiles from it! But it’s been parked up for awhile, and getting it back to road trip worthy. Making sure to treat it right with proper oil.

Back many years ago when I was using it all the time, owners were very worried about oil choices regarding the flat tappet cam. That’s been burned into my brain hah

 

[Newuser]

A full-SAPS Euro 5W-40 or 0W-40 would be my pick, has the higher levels of phosphorous that you desire (though, unlikely to require in this application). Something with LL-01, MB 229.5...etc.

Debating just using Quaker state euro 5w-40. I just started using it in my F430

 

[OVERKILL]

Debating just using Quaker state euro 5w-40. I just started using it in my F430

That would be a fine choice.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Factory it calls for a 10w-40. It’s the ole 4.0 V8. Solid power around town. Slow on the freeway though.

I’ve had it for ages, and have gotten a ton of smiles from it! But it’s been parked up for awhile, and getting it back to road trip worthy. Making sure to treat it right with proper oil.

Back many years ago when I was using it all the time, owners were very worried about oil choices regarding the flat tappet cam. That’s been burned into my brain hah

Bored 215. 10W40 is traditionally a bad oil multigrade. Unless you are working it real hard or your bearings are very worn it, is hard to beat a good 10W30 as un-glamourous as it seems.

 

[Newuser]

Bored 215. 10W40 is traditionally a bad oil multigrade. Unless you are working it real hard or your bearings are very worn it, is hard to beat a good 10W30 as un-glamourous as it seems.

Interesting! I just went through service records from when it was new, and roughly 10 years after it being new. It was always fed 10w-40 from the Land Rover dealer.

Pretty sure I’ve ran 5w-40 & 15w-40 diesel oil through it since self servicing it

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Interesting! I just went through service records from when it was new, and roughly 10 years after it being new. It was always fed 10w-40 from the Land Rover dealer.

Pretty sure I’ve ran 5w-40 & 15w-40 diesel oil through it since self servicing it

Must be careful as Domestic U.S. lubricant certifications (API/ILSAC)
are different from EU (ACEA) Approvals and Certifications

Your 5w40 is likely a MB229.5x and VAG 505, Porsche A40 Approved lubricant
A domestic 10w40 would likely not carry these approvals

Your Brit "improved" old Buick pushrod engine is not high specific output, so a high spec is not critical.

If it is an easy solution run your QS 5W40 it should perform satisfactorily given the history of 40 grade oils used historically.

Does the vehicle have over 160K km on it?

Enjoy the olde Landy!