Synthetic Oil

[jc71corvette]

Im running valveoline 5w30 right now. Im doing a oil change in a few weeks, would anyone sugguest synthetic or half n half?

[99street10]

Quote: Originally Posted by jc71corvette

Im running valveoline 5w30 right now. Im doing a oil change in a few weeks, would anyone sugguest synthetic or half n half?

I just converted my s10 to Mobil 1. I ran valvoline since i got it (52,000miles) and it now has 61,6XX. Don't know how many miles yours has but I can say mine starts easier and feels like it has a little more grunt. Before I converted, I was averaging 17mpg, then 20mpg, and now I will update at my next tank full.

[jc71corvette]

mobil, conventional?

[99street10]

Full Synthetic

[southernrock20]

i just got mine switched over to full syn. but i havent ran her enough to feel any difference

[Zblue8]

Mobil 1, FTW!

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zblue8

Mobil 1, FTW!

Me 2
I use the 15,000 mile interval oil. I run it to 15,000k every time. its awesome saves a lot of money.

[LilBit]

Quote: Originally Posted by xtrememeasures10

Me 2
I use the 15,000 mile interval oil. I run it to 15,000k every time. its awesome saves a lot of money.

Im currently running castrol 5/30 and have appr. 100,000 on the engine it doesnt use a drop of oil , you think it would be ok to use the 15,000 and run it to 15,000 between changes on this engine?

[Zblue8]

me personally, i would never run 15,000 miles b/t oil changes no matter what kind of oil i used
it's nice to get under the truck and have a look around every once in a while
plus if you are going to grease everything and rotate the tires regularly, why not just change the oil
the way i see it, its cheap insurance to just change it every 3,000

[cevtv]

Mobil 1 Full Synthetic every 5,000.

[oilyted]

Amsoil, once a year.

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by LilBit

Im currently running castrol 5/30 and have appr. 100,000 on the engine it doesnt use a drop of oil , you think it would be ok to use the 15,000 and run it to 15,000 between changes on this engine?

Yes its fine change the filter ever 5,000 and top the oil off. Same thing w/ amsoil. I have heard amsoil is good shit too.

[csmizzlesxblizzle]

mobil 1 full synthetic ever 4000-5000 miles

[SlamThiz]

valvoline full synthetic every 3k to 4k

[jrschultz]

Going synthetic and not running it longer is a waste of money. I run my mobil 1 syn for 7K miles. No problems to report.

[99street10]

Quote: Originally Posted by oilyted

Amsoil, once a year.

They make a good product, but the reps at car shows are usually such cocks.

[ride and destroy]

after reading i believe i was misinformed by a mechanic at the local garage (needed quick oil change, wasnt at home, had no tools went to garage) he said htat changing over to synth at 325 would eat all the seals in my truck and id start to see leaks everywhere, iwas sure it was bs but went with standard oil anyway, oil change soon, should i go synth? any negatives?

[kingkaspr]

i use valvoline max life over 75000 mile 5w30 full sythetic with a fram double guard filter. i usually run mine bout 6-7000 miles and never had a problem. also it seemed to have helped with my lil oil leaks. and just to let u know i have 180000 miles on the blazer and 148000 on the s10. both had decent amount of leaks be4 i changed over and alot of my leaks have either slowed alot or just stopped

[ka_jd7and1]

I'm running Royal Purple w/ the K&N filter in my truck, no problems. I usually change the oil around 8-10K miles, supposed to change the filter after 4-5K but I didn't this time around.

[SoFlaGMC]

Castrol Syntec Full synthetic, here. Engine seems to run better and average 22-23 mpg.

[Dvst8r]

yea royal purple all the way. after a hefty tune my 4.3 was able to spin 2nd for days and give a hell of a chirp into 3rd. thats with heavy ass 20's.

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by ride and destroy

after reading i believe i was misinformed by a mechanic at the local garage (needed quick oil change, wasnt at home, had no tools went to garage) he said htat changing over to synth at 325 would eat all the seals in my truck and id start to see leaks everywhere, iwas sure it was bs but went with standard oil anyway, oil change soon, should i go synth? any negatives?

Total bs, its a myth. Synthetic is miles better. Go w/ a good royal purple or mobil and a good filter. I use only k&N filters. and run them 15,000 miles with the oil. I would never put a fram on my truck. There designed and build poorly internally.

[tg900]

Quote: Originally Posted by xtrememeasures10

Total bs, its a myth. Synthetic is miles better. Go w/ a good royal purple or mobil and a good filter. I use only k&N filters. and run them 15,000 miles with the oil. I would never put a fram on my truck. There designed and build poorly internally.

I think it's the truth, that isn't the first place i've heard it. Synthetic is slippier and can get past more crevices than conventional oil. So it lubricates all the tiny little bearings and whatnot that normal oil can't. But if you have a loose gasket, you will probably see oil coming out of it soon enough since synthetic can probably get past it, and the conventional oil couldn't previously.

[Mattie L.]

Quote: Originally Posted by LilBit

Im currently running castrol 5/30 and have appr. 100,000 on the engine it doesnt use a drop of oil , you think it would be ok to use the 15,000 and run it to 15,000 between changes on this engine?

if your using conventional oil and have over 100,000 miles on your truck you might as well use 10w30sae motor oil...better for high mileage engines

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mattie L.

if your using conventional oil and have over 100,000 miles on your truck you might as well use 10w30sae motor oil...better for high mileage engines

Yes and no. 10weight during starting will take longer to be pushed up your push rods to lube the rocker arms and eventually lead to wear. But then again the 5 weight starts slipping past your oil control rings on the pistons and burns when the 10 weight wont as easily and thats why it doesnt burn through it.

Quote: Originally Posted by tg900

I think it's the truth, that isn't the first place i've heard it. Synthetic is slippier and can get past more crevices than conventional oil. So it lubricates all the tiny little bearings and whatnot that normal oil can't. But if you have a loose gasket, you will probably see oil coming out of it soon enough since synthetic can probably get past it, and the conventional oil couldn't previously.

Just because its not the first place you have heard it doesnt mean its correct. But if your worried do a half and half.

[beatcars]

THought you weren't supposed to run full syn mixed with regular oil?

DO you mean get a synthetic blend?

Ya mine has 125k and I'm not sure about switching because of the risk of leaks. Is there anyone here that can confirm they switched after 100k miles and had no leaks many miles later?

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by beatcars

THought you weren't supposed to run full syn mixed with regular oil?

DO you mean get a synthetic blend?

Ya mine has 125k and I'm not sure about switching because of the risk of leaks. Is there anyone here that can confirm they switched after 100k miles and had no leaks many miles later?

Who said that? Look thow whatever you have heard about synthetics in the garbage and start all over.

Synthetics are 10 times better at start up, especially on a cold day. Try this Take a quart of conventional oil and synthetic oil and put them in a deep freezer for a day. then when there good and cold just like your car would be when its 0degrees outside, pour them out into a pan and see which one pours quicker. well i should say pour the synthetic out and wait a couple minutes for the conventional to catch up. The synthetic will pour like it did when it was 70 degrees. The conventional will pour like syrup. Now just imagine whats going on in your engine on a cold day.
Synthetics perform better at higher temperatures, resist viscosity breakdown at a molecular level. Basically when the oil is refined all the bad molecules are taken so that the good molecules will hold a better chemical bond. They dissipate heat faster than conventional oil because the impurities in conventional oils hold in heat.

Those are all facts that i learned from a fluid engineer that came into my work years back when i worked for valvoline.

I switched my truck over at 80k and im at 170k and my front main, rear main, pan gasket dont leak a drop. When i worked at valvoline i use to switch people w/ 100k + over every day and never had someone comeback complaining about leaks.

[beatcars]

So all thru the years I can take my 84 Pontiac, my 72 Buick, my dads 74 Dodge and switch them all over to any full synthetic from any conventional and I shuold have no leaks if they currently are not leaking? Or is it just more modern type engine seals that are ok? I know all teh benefits of syn, but would hate to blow out an old main seal, or seep out the oil pan gasket thats not leaking now, just because I switched.

[pipster]

Once again here very recently several people have asked me about synthetic oil. It seems the old myth of not being able to switch brands, blends, viscosity or formulations has showed its ugly face again. Just joking....So here we go.
The biggest myth is if you start using synthetic oil can I switch back to conventional oil. The facts. Years ago when snyhthetic where first introduced you could not go back to conventional. The base stocks where 100% PAO and at that time did not have the correct chemistry to allow them to mix with group II or III basestocks. This showed true when you had parts or seals in an engine that was coated with the PAO. When you switch to conventional the parts/seals would not get lubrication because the two styles would not mix together. With todays new chemical methods, now allow us to mix different base stocks together allowing us to make products named blends, like Valvoline DuraBlend. This carries true to when you switch in an engine. Some what different because the detergency and other additives in the oils will remove old build up so it can be filtered and allow new oil to lubricate properly. This will hold true on switching viscosity, brands and formulations. ALL IN ALL YOU CAN SWITCH OIL TYPES, but always used the correct oil recommended for your manufacture. Engines may need certain types of oil for other reasons and thats another topic.
I hope this clears the air on Synthetic Oil Myth.
Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.

[pipster]

How synthetics are made.

Some synthetic fluids are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assemble them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages.
Synthetic Motor Oil Advantages
• Breakdown Resistance: Increased thermal and oxidation stability.
• Deposit Control: Reduces formation of sludge and varnish deposits.
• Wear Protection: Improves oil film strength and breakdown resistance.
• Volatility: Lowers oil vaporization and consumption at extreme conditions.
• Cold Start Properties: Flows easily at low temperature.

Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by pipster

How synthetics are made.

Some synthetic fluids are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assemble them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages.
Synthetic Motor Oil Advantages
• Breakdown Resistance: Increased thermal and oxidation stability.
• Deposit Control: Reduces formation of sludge and varnish deposits.
• Wear Protection: Improves oil film strength and breakdown resistance.
• Volatility: Lowers oil vaporization and consumption at extreme conditions.
• Cold Start Properties: Flows easily at low temperature.

Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.

Pretty much the same thing i was saying Thanks for clairifying it a little more in depth than i can tho.

[tg900]

well say if you had a leak running with conventional oil...if you switched to synthetic...what would happen?

[Fannatick]

Damn Philip, good job. That should clear up the confusion about synthetic.

[pipster]

Quote: Originally Posted by tg900

well say if you had a leak running with conventional oil...if you switched to synthetic...what would happen?

It would leak the same.

[Dozer600]

Quote: Originally Posted by oilyted

Amsoil, once a year.

My dad and I are changing the oil in his Duramax at 16k with 4k filter intervals. We are going to have the oil tested at the change to see how it held up and if everything looks good will uping that to over 20k. We could go to a buypass filter setup and never change the oil again but he doesn't want to spend the 2g's for it. I Is deff some good shit

[2.2sleeper]

Castrol Semi-synthetic 5w-30 for me.

[S-10Driver]

i run castrol syntech blend in my truck, since i change the oil at 3k miles.

i've ran full synth before and it looks brand new when you drain it at 3k. so i decided to get the best of both worlds and save a little $.

synth oil is better on paper, but i've seen motors on dyno oil last just as long as synth oil. it all depends on how well the motor is taken care off and how it is driven.

i also use either a Wix or a AC Delco filter when i change my oil.

[pipster]

Just a little advice to all of you! If you decide to try extended drain on a vehicle with higher miles you better have an independent lab test the oil you have in the engine before you change to new. Allot of oils will go past 3000 miles but it is not the oil you have to worrie about but the contaminants that get in the oil. The oil sample will tell you what condition the engine is in before you decide to extend the drain.

Philip Medlock
Vavloline Technical Specialist.

[xtrememeasures10]

Quote: Originally Posted by pipster

Just a little advice to all of you! If you decide to try extended drain on a vehicle with higher miles you better have an independent lab test the oil you have in the engine before you change to new. Allot of oils will go past 3000 miles but it is not the oil you have to worrie about but the contaminants that get in the oil. The oil sample will tell you what condition the engine is in before you decide to extend the drain.

Philip Medlock
Vavloline Technical Specialist.

yeah and cut the filter open and compare contaminants to the previous oil change.

[beandip]

soooo if your engine is burning/consuming oil, switching to synthetic WONT make it burn/consume faster correct?

i think my oil control rings are a little worn, doesnt smoke (only if i rev it to 5,000 rpm) but i still lose some oil (1/2 quart every 1200-1400 miles).


Im using Castrol GTX high millage 10w30 now.

[pipster]

Quote: Originally Posted by beandip

soooo if your engine is burning/consuming oil, switching to synthetic WONT make it burn/consume faster correct?

i think my oil control rings are a little worn, doesnt smoke (only if i rev it to 5,000 rpm) but i still lose some oil (1/2 quart every 1200-1400 miles).


Im using Castrol GTX high millage 10w30 now.

Your correct it will not make it consume faster. No offense just keep in mind we designed high mileage formulations and all others copied MaxLife.

[Fannatick]

When you switch over from regular oil to synthetic, do you do anything special when first changing? Are you supposed to put synthetic in and then change after a 1,000 miles or so just to get all the regular oil out? Or just add synthetic and leave it.

[pipster]

No just do a normal oil change.

[Zblue8]

do you have to or should you run a different filter with synthetic.
I just use a Delco filter...

[pipster]

No need for a special filter.

[beatcars]

by pipster: "However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages."

Ok I would like to know these disadvantages of synthetic oil please.
Also what is the difference in the $2.50 per quart full synthetics, and the $8 per quart full synthetics.

[pipster]

Quote: Originally Posted by beatcars

by pipster: "However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages."

Ok I would like to know these disadvantages of synthetic oil please.
Also what is the difference in the $2.50 per quart full synthetics, and the $8 per quart full synthetics.

The inherent disadvantage is extremely well formulated oils mostly for strickly racing that use all PAO and Esters will not mix well with Group II and Group III hydro cracked oils. This simply leads to poor bearing lubrication to both main and rod bearings. The race oils also will have to much phosporus for new emission controlled vehicle but a must for racing applications that use solid lifter set up. All in all synthetics are the best for high performance applications and any vehicle that is under high load conditions. Just make sure you use the correct viscosity per manufacture and always follow the owners manual guidelines for API and Ilsac catergories.

[velojym]

Just my .02

I ran full synthetic in both my '80s Camaros with nary a leak, and I'm currently running Mobil 1 in my 2k Sonoma (2.2).
It had a minor leak when I bought it; enough to leave a spot on the driveway, but not even a noticeable change on the dipstick between changes. When I switched to full-syn, I kept an eye on it, and it's acting the same as it always has: just leaky enough to spot the driveway, but not losing a really measurable amount.

I've never done anything to quantify any performance changes, but they all seemed to start much more easily in cold weather.

[inthe9's]

Amsoil oil throughout. My MPG increased from 23.5 to 28. I did the K & N air filter at the same time, otherwise stock on my 99 4-banger. My RWHP bumped from 82 to 92. I am shooting for a realisitic low 30's mpg after a free-flow muffler and tonneau.
Amsoil is the best for lowest maintenance-1 year or 25K miles. No leaks!

[S-10Driver]

hey pipster...speaking of castrol, do you know which company manufactures their oil?