Dashpot oil REDEX ?

[Essex Stag]

Last Sunday I joined the Essex SOC at Hedingham castle for a picnic/ BBQ . It was the first time they had met me and saw my car,I got talking to a guy I think his name was Ian about the technical side of caring for a Stag and he mentioned that he puts neat RED EX in the dashpot and it helps with performance and creeps through in to the engine and helps to keep it clean clean. Has any one else done this or do you have any views I used 3 in1 on all my cars my mechanic says 20/40 I know this has been discussed many times but any thoughts on REDEX?
Derek

[iani]

I use SU Carb oil, basically because it's like 3 in 1, I've used it for 25 years in a variety of cars, both running SU's & Strombergs without any issue, I don't see the point in using anything else, it doesn't seem to be affected by temperature which is a risk if you use engine oil as some people do.

Ian

[DJT]

It can't seep into the engine in meaningful quantities unless the o-rings are knackered. If that is the case he would be topping it up regularly, which defeats the object. If your dashpots are holding the oil as they should be, then use the recommended oil. Triumph quote 20W50 engine oil. Others recommend carb oil. I've never used anything other than engine oil.

[Stevekid1]

I use ATF fluid in mine as recommended by Favershams, not had any problems. Always thought 20W50 was a bit too thick for the job.

Steve

[1959terry]

What a load of tosh. Just stick to 20w50 or SU carb oil. If you want to use redex then just add it to your fuel. Actually I think that's what it is designed for.

[robbo]

Su carb oil in mine runs perfect. Also I use a bit of redex in the fuel the stag seems quite fond of a drop of this in its diet.
Cheers Rob.

[Another Peter]

SU carb oil in my cars too.

Haven't used Redex in any car for a number of years. I'm under the impression that with the cleaning agents in modern fuels, Redex is just not needed and obsolete.

[404ROD]

Putting shots(RedEX) in the petrol when filling up was an obsession when I first started driving in the mid 1960s. Supposed to have kept the engine interior clean at a time when de-carbonising was necessary. I think modern oils probably made the exercise redundant. Can't see how putting it in the dashpots would allow the RedEX to creep into the engine unless there was a leak problem and you would have to top up regularly. I was at Hedingham Castle and just missed the deluge that engulfed the south of Essex which flooded Canvey Island. Water was still gushing down the road as I drove through Stock.

Rod

[Lingen]

SU have always recommended light oil for their dashpots, and Zenith/Stromberg always 20/50. On the assumption that the manufacturers know what they are talking about, and have designed the damping to be correct when using their particular oil, why not just follow their advice? The degree of damping to the piston- and thereby the richness of the fuel when accelerating -is dependant on the viscosity of the oil. Having a personal preference for one or the other is not an issue. Any oil will go down the hole, but only one type is correct for the job. So why not just do what you are told!!!
Mike.

[Essex Stag]

Thanks for the comments it seems that there is always someone who has a better idea even if it is not well condoned he is happy putting Redex in his without adverse effect. One old guy who had been tuning race cars for years tuned my Rover P4 on a rolling road emptied the dash pot and put brake fluid in I was horrified . Told him to take it out he was not happy he said it was better but you cannot argue at the time got home and did it myself with 3 in 1 the car ran superbly after tuning but Hmmmmmmm! will not go there again. Strange how people have these ideas that they can always do better . although credit were it is due this Ian guy told me lots of other helpful tips not knocking the bloke
Derek