Motor Oils > Your opinion

SuperSentra4203 · May 6th, 2003, 01:46 PM

Figured I'd ask, what oil do y'all use in your B11/B12. Have you had any bad results with a certain type? Tell your story of oil choices and what made you decide.

During the summer, combined with my heavy right foot, Valvoline VR-1 Racing 20W-50 was the oil of choice. Nothing else would hold up with the high engine temps and high revs. During the winter, the 20W-50 would be cause hard starts and excessive motor strain, that is when I swapped to Valvoline Max-Life 10W-40. Now I am a changed man. When I got my Grand Prix, it had a recent oil change with Valvoline Max-Life5W-30, which the this motor just chewed up. I drained it and switched to Max-Life 10W-40. Same results. I decided to change pace and try Shell Rotella T 15W-40, you know, the stuff used in semis. This oil is a godsend. This motor hasn't drinked of burned a drop. I think it will have similar results in 4 cylinder cars.

fastpakr · May 6th, 2003, 01:53 PM

I've been running Castrol 5w30 in my E16S, no leaks or other problems at all.

dschrier · May 6th, 2003, 02:04 PM

I was using 5w30 of whatever brand jiffylube uses, then I switched over to 5w30 of mobil 1 super synth. I only lose about 1/2 quart every 3,000 miles which is normal for a car with about 155,000 miles on it.

Webfoot · May 6th, 2003, 04:58 PM

Hmmm, good question SS. I got the car about a K ago and put Castrol 20/50 in it right off the bat. I found bottles of Wolf 10/40, NAPA 30 wt and some K-Mart brand or somm in the trunk. It had a leaking filter and dripped a lot of oil. Anyhow, I had to add a quart after about 600 miles cuz of the leak under the timing cover but last I checked it was still full.

Semis run Odello motor oil. Designed for desiels.

So my question stems from the new breed of motor oils on the shelf called "extra life" or "max life" or so called oils designed for high mileage motors. wtf? Is it worth the price.

And is it good to switch back and forth with conventional and synthetic oils?

BIGBULS · May 6th, 2003, 06:03 PM

I'm not sure if it'd be worth going to a synthetic oil on such an old car as what you guys have, but they certainly DO perform better (but may leak a little more on your old seals).

For natural oils, Castrol GTX is about the best there is (highest flash point, lowest pour point, good viscosity index etc.), but for the most part, ANY brand name oil will be decent (as they all have to pass the same, continually updated government standards). Just don't go with generics, as they have a tendancy to suck BAD.

Also, while heavier weight oils help cure leaks, be careful about running them unless the outside temp is VERY high, as your car may not be designed to run such heavy oils.......check your owners manual for that......I know my old Grand Prix (3.4L DOHC) said do NOT run anything heavier than 10W30 even in summer, as heavy oils could kill the oil pump (and wouldn't flow as well even when warmed up).

dschrier · May 6th, 2003, 07:17 PM

I did a bit of research on synthetics before I switched over because I didn't want my engine to leak more with the synthetic, but I haven't noticed any more leakage at all. The engine seemed a little more smoother at higher RPM's with the synthetic, but that could just be in my head.

rice rocket (soon) · May 6th, 2003, 10:01 PM

i use the green mobil 1 synthetic when i feel rich enough

dschrier · May 6th, 2003, 10:39 PM

I get my oil changed at walmart (yeah I know, say what you want), but I get mobil 1 super synth and filter for only $27. That is a steal considering that the oil costs about $20 for 4 quarts and the filter $5 on it's own.

xXB12RacerXx · May 7th, 2003, 12:43 AM

ive heard that if youve been using regular oil its bad to just switch to synthetic because it may leak, but i guess you can go to a half synthetic half regular oil and it wont leak, thats only what i heard though....

from what you guys are saying, i think i will start putting synthetic oil in my ride...

and dschrier..that seems to be an awesome deal man...

BIGBULS · May 7th, 2003, 01:23 AM

Synthetic Blends are hardly better than normal oils, and certainly NOT worth the extra cost for the tiny boost in performance. Your best bet is to go with a quality full synthetic.

dschrier · May 7th, 2003, 07:27 AM

I did a lot of reading, and depending on who you ask, synthetics may cause seals to leak, they won't cause seals to leak, they aren't worth the money, they offer better protection. Every website or forum I went to I got a different answer so I decided to just go with it. I read on one website that while the synthetics would dissolve the dirt and gunk around and old seal causing it to leak, they can actually help seals since they can keep the seals from going brittle and cracking.

SuperSentra4203 · May 7th, 2003, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Webfoot
Semis run Odello motor oil. Designed for desiels.

So my question stems from the new breed of motor oils on the shelf called "extra life" or "max life" or so called oils designed for high mileage motors. wtf? Is it worth the price.

And is it good to switch back and forth with conventional and synthetic oils?

Semis also use the Rotella T, good stuff. THe Max-Life is actually worth the extra $.50-1.00 a quart. After using it for 5K miles, it kept my beloved B12 from burning some oil because of bad valve seals. It is not a good idea to switch back and forth from synthetic to dino oils.
Hey BigBuls, I have the good old pushrod 2.8L MPFI. The Rotella T 15W-40 was actually recommended to me. The oil pump keeps constant pressure (no spikes in pressure) and even keeps 10psi of pressure at idle with the engine temp at 210.
B12Racer, don't go to synthetic if you have high miles (over 75K).

fastpakr · May 7th, 2003, 08:49 AM

The concept of not going to a synthetic with high mileage is nothing but a myth. The only reason to not switch is if you're leaking oil.

rice rocket (soon) · May 7th, 2003, 09:12 AM

yeah i found out the leaking part the hard way, my presious $30 oil is on my driveway now. i should take a picture of it.

xXB12RacerXx · May 7th, 2003, 09:34 PM

well i have no leaks except when i undo the oil filter...gobs of oil burning for days making my car smell like a beater!! :P

hey my engines got 140K on it, is it ok to switch to synthetic?