2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Synthetic oil

[SHobbs]

I know there is a break in period before switching to a synthetic oil. Is there a cut off point after so many miles that you can't switch to synthetic? I currently have 232k on my truck, is it a bad idea to switch now? Currently just looking at all options and ideas to maybe lower some cost and not change the oil so often.

 

[JDiehl]

I just switched over to amsoil yesterday with 165k. I plan on watching the dipstick close until I can get the level evened out to where I like it. I have also heard about trucks using some after the switch. Not an expert here but took the synthetic dive for the same reasons you list.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Synthetic oils

Your synthetic oils are better then conventional oils by about 9%. You will find that they will ( Weep) where the conventionals won't. They do lubercate better then your conventional oils. At -40C 75W/90 will move like fresh room temp honey. I had to leave the old oil out one winter to see what it was like?

 

[JoeCanuck]

Oil shouldn't pile up... it's just wrong and I hate it when that happens.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I bought my '98 with 137k and it had been run on dino only, then I switched to Amsoil at 140,000. That was 48,000 miles ago and so far no problems at all, no oil leaks at the rear main seal, pan gasket, timing cover, valve covers, none of those places.

 

[Gweeds12V]

i switched to amsoil at 158k miles, 25k mile oil changes, but i figured with high miles i'd change it sooner then that just in case. Since it has more lubricity it pointed out a few oil leaks i had to fix lol.

 

[SHobbs]

Thanks guys, right now I am just looking at all options. Gettin 8k on changes right now with Delo and would like to get to 16k maybe 20k between them. Thinking maybe a bypass system will get me there who knows.

 

[BeefDoc]

I have 310K on my truck. The bulk of those miles were run with Cenex TMS 15-40 or 10-30. I have occassionally run Amsoil in the past few months. With the Cenex oil, I change it every 150hrs (5-7K) and the oil would be near add on the dipstick (without adding any oil). Amsoil does the same thing, but after I start adding oil at 150hrs, it will burn a quart every 15-20 hours. So if I run the Amsoil to 300hrs (10-15K) I have to add 5-7 quarts of oil, thus negating the point of saving money by being able to run the oil longer. I can only assume since it burns little oil the first 150hrs but burns it after that, the oil must be changing/breaking down?? Currently I run the Amsoil in the winter and the Cenex in the summer.



My 2 cents



Matt

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My '96 has 413,900 miles, it doesn't use too much oil the first 1500-2000 miles after a change then after that it drinks it pretty fast. Yes I think it's the oil breaking down a little and on an engine with some miles it gets past the rings easier.

 

[MAllen1]

I've used Amsoil since the truck had 50k and have been running between 6000 and 15000, depending on driving habits and time. When I ran 6k, it was due to 90% short driving, and the fact that it took a year to put 6000 miles on the truck.

 

[amsoilman]

I know there is a break in period before switching to a synthetic oil. Is there a cut off point after so many miles that you can't switch to synthetic? I currently have 232k on my truck, is it a bad idea to switch now? Currently just looking at all options and ideas to maybe lower some cost and not change the oil so often.

There are some things to consider when changeing to a Synthetic oil after the use of petroliem oils.

1-If the oil has been changed at timely intervals, there most likely is not much build-up of sludge and varnish in and around the engine seals. If the oil change interval have been neglected, then there is most liely going to be build-up of sludge and varnish, which will then be "cleaned out, by the synthetic oil, as a true synthetic, such as Amsoil, is highly detergent! This in turn will allow some leakage thru the seals, as they were most likely sealed up by the sludge and varnish build-up. The best way to test this is to pul off the valve cover, and see what kind of sludge you may have.

2-If the engine has a lot of wear in the area of rings, valve stems, or valve guides, then you will most likely use the oil regardless.

3- If your engine is already useing some oil between 5-7,000 miles, it is mot lkely not a very good candidate for Synthetics, as most synthetics do have better detergancy, although some are not much different than a regular petroliem product.



In my experiences, I have seen some high mileage Engines do very well switching over, but I have also seen some that didn't do so well.



The only real way for you to know is to try it for awhile, then you will know for sure.