I found this auto Mini forum while searching around for info on my auto Mini.  Maybe you can create an account and someone can help?  Unfortunately I probably cannot help much since I am still so limited on my Mini knowledge.  I have a 1275A+ and have been running the cheapest 10W-14 I find in stores.  I changed the oil when I first got the car and after only about 1000 miles I started having problems, a chance encounter with a local owner/member he mentioned changing the oil and all my problems went away.  It's been probably 1500 miles since then and I haven't had the problem come back yet.  But I also have not been driving the car as much due to moving further away and the Mini probably leaks the oil too quickly to let it even get used before I have to top it off.


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^link to auto forum^

Good for you Steve, for doing this.
"He has a lift and does body work from his chair. Can't weld doesn't know when he is on fire." - that tells us something about his determination.

Knowing nothing about auto boxes and never having wanted to I'm asking. Is there a way to drain the torque converter? Of course oil changes going forward and I hope past ie the clean looking oil on dip stick. Yes I'd like to get the old oil fully out and it looks like I may.  I have put in 25 hours a complete Weber set up inner and outer CVs this week. He has $100. toward the project this time and I need to finish it and put this to bed. I'm also thinking about this governor linkage to the Weber. Where do I look for parts? Steve (CTR)

Back story, this guys father was my scout master more over his father also introduced me to minis. Second youngest of six this guy drove a mini wagon to high school. Right after graduation he was in a drunk driver involved accident not mini related. He has been paralyzed chest down since. His wagon has been stored here and there since the  late 70s. He has a lift and does body work from his chair. Can't weld doesn't know when he is on fire. The wagon is done I converted a single bolt auto sub to two bolt and we are ready for power hand controls in place. 

Seeing as how oil changes are so critical with automatics (2000 miles) and you don't know how long that oil has been in the unit. Why wouldn't you go ahead and change the oil? Seems like a no brainer to me. Oil change is cheaper than a transmission issue. Just my thoughts.

Depending on the era of the engine 20w50 or 10w40 MA2 spec oil. I would also replace the forward clutch discs, and adjust the bands before dropping it into anything. Cheap insurance, and you don’t have to split the trans from the block to do it.

For oil selection, read this:

https://www.widman.biz/mini_pics/classic-mini-oil.pdf

written by Richard1, a tribologist, so it's not incorrect hearsay passed on from generation to generation.

After several years we are about to close up the hand control mini wagon. I have donated my
time and as many parts as I could afford along the way. With limited budget and life getting in
the way he has done all his body work and assembly. We picked up a good at the time 998 auto. 
Refugee Honda project. It has sat waiting for a mid range cam ( he wants it to sound mean )
Weber and header. The engine has been inside with how ever much oil does not leak out when 1
pot joint is removed. Seems to be down about a qt looks like much more on the floor under the
shelves. I plan to crank on starter for oil pressure. Question one, should I drain current oil which
appears clean on stick. This will be a limited use he wants to be able to drive into and out of car
shows. My concern is doing whats best for the tranny. Question 2 what oil works best for these
998 autos. If there is anything I should do other than get OP Change oil and filter? Replaced
everything we came to in changing cam, tappet covers sure help there. Thanks for info. Steve (CTR)