Synthetic oil... Who runs it?

P@@RB@Y · 07-24-2005, 03:16 PM

I just bought a 2002 blazer 4x4.

How can I tell if the oil is synthetic when I drain it?

If its not synthetic 51,xxx miles is low enough to start using synthetic oil right?

Any MPG gains from using?

Thanks

Booch · 07-24-2005, 11:52 PM

I don't know anyway of telling if your current oil is synthetic or not; had you thought of sending a sample to one of those mail-order places that evaluates the oil and tells you how the motor is running?

I run Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic in my 02 Xtreme; just change it every 3 months, regardless of mileage.

Keep in mind I just sole an 89 cavalier Z24 2.8 liter / 5 speed manual that was purchased new with 80 miles. I started running the same Mobil 1 at around 35,000 miles, and just sold it last year with over 218,000 miles! I drove this hard, and the motor didn't burn oil, leak, or have any engine problems!

The new owner just passed 230,000 miles, and it's still going strong.

P@@RB@Y · 07-25-2005, 12:36 AM

Well I found the maintenance records and they had been using Synthetic blend, so a full synthetic wouldnt be a major change.

Thanks

P@@RB@Y · 07-25-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@@RB@Y

Well I found the maintenance records and they had been using Synthetic blend, so a full synthetic wouldnt be a major change.

Thanks

I know using a lower weight motor oil will get better gas milage and more power (Response) but does this engine do good with 5W30?

Whats recommened?

I know smaller engines usally use a lighter weight.

muzzy1maniac · 07-25-2005, 05:12 AM

5w-30 is the reccomended oil. Your best bet is to run a fully synthetic oil. I use Mobil1 and change every 12k miles with a new filter and top off @ 6k. Make sure you use a good filter too - you can use the search feature to find tons of discussions on filter choices.

BlazerBoyLT98 · 07-25-2005, 01:06 PM

I use Mobil 1 5w-30 15K oil change and change it every 5K and my mpg has increased, the oil now runs clean and the engine is smooth. The first time I changed the mobil 1 15K oil it came out jet black and was almost thick and chunky now it is perfectly clean like new. Good luck with it and every car I own from this point on will run mobil 1

BlazerLT · 07-25-2005, 01:55 PM

Don't use any other synthetic other than Mobil 1 , Amsoil or Redline.

The rest are NOT true synthetic.

BTW, you might as well service the transmission and drain and refill the differentials and transfer case with synthetic as well for MAX fuel economy.

P@@RB@Y · 07-25-2005, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerBoyLT98

I use Mobil 1 5w-30 15K oil change and change it every 5K and my mpg has increased, the oil now runs clean and the engine is smooth. The first time I changed the mobil 1 15K oil it came out jet black and was almost thick and chunky now it is perfectly clean like new. Good luck with it and every car I own from this point on will run mobil 1

Is Amsoil really that much better than Mobil 1?

You have to order that oil online correct?Any special filters?

blazee · 07-25-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@@RB@Y

Is Amsoil really that much better than Mobil 1?

You have to order that oil online correct?Any special filters?

Mobil 1 is all you need.

As for the filter, I prefer NAPA GOLD they are awesome filters, they are made by WIX and offer a good balance of filtration and flow. They also have excellent silicone anti-drain back valves. AC Delco is another good choice.

Don't use FRAM filters, they are cheaply made and the anti-drain back valves leak causing noisy (and damaging) dry starts. Don't use Pensoil, or Quaker State filters either, they are also made by FRAM.

MRogers · 07-25-2005, 09:52 PM

Is Royal Purple a true synthetic? It's only about 25 cents more than Mobil 1.

wolfox · 07-25-2005, 10:17 PM

If I recall properly, it's an extremely hydrocracked petroleum distillate base. A poor man's synthetic is what's found in Royal Purple - a group III fossil oil with hella additive pack to make it halfway decent. However, Mobil -1 is a superior base oil with a stout additive pack making for a much more robust oil. Mobil - 1 will turn dirty quick in these engines, but - it's doing a good job of keeping them clean. The reason why it looks so dirty in short time is because it's doing it's job of holding onto junk that is passing through your filter, too small to be caught. Otherwise, Mobil - 1 can very easily see 7,000 or more miles in the 4.3 push-rod V-6's; these engines are rather easy going on the oil they carry as compared to a high strung import engine. Royal Purple is a fine oil, however; I would not trust it past how far I can toss a quart bottle of SuperTech, IMO. The additive pack used to toughen up Royal Purple (An oil touted for it's racing performance) contains materials that if present in an engine with an oil control problem - could poison and destroy the catalyst. So help mitigate oil control problems, "flush" the engine as you drive, safely as thus:

And if I may add, it's working well! But anyway...

Currently, I run a mixture of Shell Rotella-T Full synthetic 10w-40 (2 quarts) to 2.5 quarts of regular, petroleum based Shell Rotella-T 10w-30. This mixture of "diesel" engine oils has my valve-train looking BRAND new. Individual parts were at first indistinguishable from other similar, lumpy, brown-black crufty parts under the valve cover. 3000 miles currently running this mix, the oil's staying cleaner a bit longer, but it's starting to darken, but it's a honey-brown and the hash marks are still visible on my dipstick. (Well, up until I had the recent misfortune of having my lower intake gaskets break. It's had a fresh fill of decent Havoline 10w-30 since, and well, I'll take it out here at the end of the month) When I first ran this mixture two months back, the oil came out of the drain plug like MUD... At the end of this run of blended, high solvency engine oil, in will go a fill up of Synthetic and a Fram XG3980. I will not have to look sideways at it until Feburary of '06.

The fill up of choice for me will be Mobil 10w-30 since winters are not steep where I am at, but a part of me wants to look into Castrol Syntech 0w-30 bottled in Germany. I have been hearing rather outlandish and magical claims about it. If I cannot find it, Mobil -1 for sure will be in my beast when all is said and done. *I* would not use Royal Purple in a daily driver.

00BLZRMyWay · 08-05-2005, 02:37 AM

Hey all. I'm new to AF. Just to let you know, I completley agree with most, if not all, of you on the Mobil 1. I too am addicted. Just curious about the K&N Racing oil filter. I've ran it ever since I started using Mobil 1, and you all seem to know quite a bit about Blazers. What's your opinion?

BlazerLT · 08-05-2005, 02:51 AM

Not worth the price they charge for them.

A WIX or anything other than Fram is good for the money.

Just don't change your oil every 3000 miles if you are running synthetics. Complete waste of money.

BlazerBoyLT98 · 08-05-2005, 09:26 AM

I use the new Mobil 1 15k change oil and change it about ever 7500 miles. I either use a Napa Gold, AC Delco. and believe it or not, the X2 Fram filter which has worked very well for me.

RedLT · 08-05-2005, 01:57 PM

You know what .... this was a very interesting thread. I have never owned a car that used synthetic oils. I didn't even know there was a difference in them cept that one costs way more money and works better. Never knew synthetic would let you got 15K miles between oil changes or that it kept the engine cleaner. So, how do I swtich to synthetic or can I even do it at 125,000 miles? Maybe start out with a blend and work my way closer to full synthetic?

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