Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 2014 plus 4 servicing

My plus 4 has now done 5000 miles. It had the 1000 mile dealer check and then a 1 year service at the dealer. It is now 2 years old. I have greased the front suspension every 600 miles, checked the spark plugs, chain lube spray on rear springs and obviously regularly checked fluid levels etc.
I only run it on shell nitro plus and the oil is still clear golden colour. So the question is: When does it need an oil change and filter change?
Is semi synthetic the correct lube?

Dave Wilson

Hi Dave,
I have a 3 year old plus 4 with a Duratec engine like yours (you'd better check that, it could be a GDI). I have just purchased all the bits and oils required for a full service. I have only had the car 6 months and this will be the fourth time it has been serviced. It has 7400 miles on it, I am servicing it because I like to know that everything has been done, as a baseline.
I would suggest you service it every year unless you do more than 10000 miles a year, that's oil and filter. The gearbox and axle have a longer service interval but I do those at the same time, its only the cost of the oil.
Here is a list of what I purchased hope it helps.

Engine:
Castrol Magnatec C3 5w/40 fully synthetic
5.8 litres inc filter.

Oil Filter:
Fomoco
1751529
AA6E 6714 AA
P926D

Air Filter:
Fomoco
1216907
1S719601AB

Gearbox:
1.7 litres
Total 75w/90 9FE fully synthetic

Axle:
Castrol Syntrax L.S.D SAE 75W140 Synthetic Gear Oil
1.5 litres
The axle on my car is a LSD.

Prop shaft has 2 grease nipples, rear is easily accessible front difficult.
Front suspension has two grease nipples each side top and bottom.

At that sort of mileage, no need to do it any more often, but I would recommend a yearly socket set tour* and inspection. It's quite surprising what can work loose on a Morgan.

* Socket set tour, a tweak where needed and a look for loose nuts and bolts

Tefistar -- I also have a duratec Plus4 with a L.S.D rear axle. I experienced some nasty sounds from the dif having put in the Castrol LSD syntrax oil until I put in 75ml of redline friction modifiers. I was told by Castrol that the U.K. Syntrax doesn't contain friction modifiers, only that sold I Aus does as it was made for the Dana Spicer axles for Holdens!!!!! Guess what Morgan use - yes, Dana Spiser axles.
Anyway once I put in the friction modifiers, all was well again!!

This may not apply to your oil, but just in case!!!!!

Cheers!

Dave, my GDI has done a similar mileage to yours. I change oil and filter every year, technically it doesn't need it on mileage but I like to know its done. In the first year I have changed g/box and diff (LSD) oils, checked plugs and cleaned the air filter. Levels are checked and suspension and prop (not too often)greased regularly.

I also do a visual, spanner and fittings check almost on an ongoing basis, even things like side screen bracket screws come loose.

I have also adjusted front hubs after initial running in they had some slack. Brake fluid I think i'll do year 2 too.

Hi Robbie,
Oh, thanks for that. I got my information from GOMoG here
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/axlefilling.html#Greasing
Filling a BTR axled Morgan, Fluids for LSD BTR's.
It says that it already contains a friction modifier (Sturaco), so I'll see what happens when I change it.
Thanks,
Peter

oh and I used Mobil 1 for eng and Millers fully synth from Opie for box and diff. Ignore the handbook that says you need 1 ltr in the diff, its 1.6

Just went to look at the handbook again for reassurance and it says that the 4/4 should have 80w/140 fully synthetic oil, the Plus 4 80w/140 semi synthetic oil, roadster 80w/140 semi synthetic and the plus 8 80w/140 synthetic oils of the highest quality.
Anyone know why the 4/4 is different, I am sure I read somewhere that all the axles across the classic range were the same except for the ratios. I think its a misprint.
The Castrol Syntrax that I have got is the most expensive oil I have ever bought £15 a litre. Confusing or what?

Peter

I guess you have a Mazda MX5 gearbox, perhaps you should consider Mazda recommendations for gearbox oil.