Question about Oil

Hazmatt · Oct 24th, 2007, 10:04 PM

So I just got my '89 240, and I really love driving it.

But now its my first time to give it an oil change. The previous owner told me that he used mostly synthetic oils.

I was wondering...what type of oil would be best for my block? Regular or synthetic?

Also, about gas....In more sporty cars, people usually pump higher than the usual 87 octane fuel. Would 87 be okay for this car? Or should I go higher? I heard than the 89 octane is just a mix of 87 and 91.

Thanks dudes,

- Matt

Nismo240 · Oct 25th, 2007, 02:38 AM

if the previous owner used full synthetic, go with that. if not, just use the regular blend shit. you can use full if you want, but you risk burning up seals.

as for gas, you can use 87, but i never ran that crap in my car. i've used 93, even before my SR swap.

jworks · Oct 25th, 2007, 02:40 AM

Previous owner for my car said he used Castrol GTX 20w50, seems to work fine for me. As for diff and gear I have yet to do, but from what I heard the best to use synthetic for those areas.

paulie240sxr · Oct 25th, 2007, 04:26 AM

i use royal purple in oil pan ,tranny ,diff and usually if you switch back and forth is when you start having problems so stick with full if thats what they ran

Hazmatt · Oct 28th, 2007, 06:16 PM

Does it matter which one I use?

i.e. If he used a synthetic oil, do I have to use the same exact one or just another synth would be fine?

Nismo240 · Oct 28th, 2007, 07:18 PM

it doesn't matter what brand, as long as its the same shit.

Hazmatt · Oct 29th, 2007, 07:03 PM

I just went to a jiffy lube to get it done.

"Penzoil Platinum". Not really sure if its good or not, but my car is running more smoothly now. Besides, 20-50 is too thick for Japanese cars imo.

**rogoman** · Oct 30th, 2007, 07:11 AM

Mobil-1 is one of the best synthetic motor oils to use. I've been using it in my 91 240sx for many years. Since synthetics don't break down like dinos do, here's how I manage my oil changes:

- I use a 10W-30 oil
- change the oil filter every 2,000 mi
- change the oil every 12,000 mi

This method has been very successful over the years and the cost is the same or less then using dino oil.

For all that are reading this thread, I would like to emphasize that a 20W-50 oil should NEVER be used if the motor is in good condition. The Nissan motors are engineered with tight clearances so the heavier oil can cause more harm to the motor because of impeded flow.

jworks · Oct 30th, 2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogoman

Mobil-1 is one of the best synthetic motor oils to use. I've been using it in my 91 240sx for many years. Since synthetics don't break down like dinos do, here's how I manage my oil changes:

- I use a 10W-30 oil
- change the oil filter every 2,000 mi
- change the oil every 12,000 mi

This method has been very successful over the years and the cost is the same or less then using dino oil.

For all that are reading this thread, I would like to emphasize that a 20W-50 oil should NEVER be used if the motor is in good condition. The Nissan motors are engineered with tight clearances so the heavier oil can cause more harm to the motor because of impeded flow.

So would it be bad if I switch over to from 20w-50 to 10w-30 synthetic? cause I have been using 20w-50 so far.

Hazmatt · Oct 30th, 2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworks

So would it be bad if I switch over to from 20w-50 to 10w-30 synthetic? cause I have been using 20w-50 so far.

Its fine, just make sure you flush it all out before putting a different viscosity oil in.

jworks · Oct 31st, 2007, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazmatt

Its fine, just make sure you flush it all out before putting a different viscosity oil in.

so just let it drain until it stops dripping oil? or is there something else to it?

**rogoman** · Oct 31st, 2007, 07:12 PM

Fully warm up the motor so that it drains more thoroughly.

jworks · Oct 31st, 2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogoman

Fully warm up the motor so that it drains more thoroughly.

awesome, I'm pretty close to my oil change.

Kyu-ju-kue · Nov 26th, 2007, 11:47 AM

Ok, apparently everyone missed that fact that they said the previous owner used "mostly" regular. You need to flush the system out immediately (everything goes, oil filter and all). Start fresh with a synthetic. Mixing synthetic and regular will cause the synthetic to start breaking down the regular and begain you on your way to the start of a lot of engine problems.

Hazmatt · Nov 27th, 2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyu-ju-kue

Ok, apparently everyone missed that fact that they said the previous owner used "mostly" regular. You need to flush the system out immediately (everything goes, oil filter and all). Start fresh with a synthetic. Mixing synthetic and regular will cause the synthetic to start breaking down the regular and begain you on your way to the start of a lot of engine problems.

You know, you just repeated everything everyone else said in the thread.

Read before you type. And please stop bumping up dead threads to prove that you know everything about the 240. We're all equal here....kinda....