Camry problem

[zeek1403]

I have a 1989 Toyota Camry. It has 203,900 miles on it right now. I have used Mobil1 in it for a long time now. I have switched it to Castrol 10-30. It burns off a lot of oil. I have also tried 10-40, and 5-30. No difference. What if I tried 5-20? Would the thinner oil get through my cylinder walls easier? My mechanic says that the oil is getting forced throught the walls in the old age. If I were to put 5-20 in, could I use the Motorcraft oil? Even though it says it's meant for Ford and Mercury?

Thanks!

[yotatechie04]

You can use any kind of oil in that engine, that is as long as the viscosity level isn't too high. I'm not exactly sure about the oil being forced through your cylinder walls, but I do know that an engine that age probably has some seals that are bad somewhere, and that's what's causing some oil burning.

[zeek1403]

What viscosities are too high? Would it be ok to use Motorcraft 5-20? I also have a 1997 Corolla with the same problems. Can I use 5-20 in that like my Camry?

[Joe W]

The thicker the oil the better in your case.The higher the number,the thicker the oil.You should be able to go to 20-50.Motorcraft is just oil even though it says it's for FFFords.

[zeek1403]

I thought that 20-50 was too high. I thought that the thinner the oil, the easier it can move through everything. I don't think I would put such strain on my engine with our cold weather using 20-50. I have tried 10-40 and it got WORSE but the 30 weights do better. My question is can I switch to 5-20 to try that out?

[zeek1403]

What about 5-40 or 10-40?

[zeek1403]

And by the way, I meant 10-30 in my first posting.

[don24mac]

I wouldn't put the thinner oil in an older engine. 10-40 oil should be fine, and is what I'd use. 10-30 should also be OK. Basically, the first number indicates the viscosity of the oil cold, the second the viscosity when the oil is warmed up.

5-30 oil I would only use if you were in an extremely cold weather location. 5-20, as far as I'm concerned, is too thin for an engine with about 204,000 miles on it. The thicker oils will help keep the oil pressure up in an engine that has normal wear at this mileage. And that is what will carry you the most miles into the future.

An engine with 200,000 miles could normally be burning oil. You didn't mention how much oil it burns, but for an engine this old, one has to expect some oil loss. Internal components, such as rings, wear, and this is what causes much of the oil burning. Also, seals wear and stiffen with time, and cause leaks.

20-50, in my opinion, is too high of viscosity to use in any Camry engine unless the engine had really worn main bearings and was on it's last legs. In that case, it could carry you a few miles further.

As far as the brand of Motorcraft oil, it would be fine, using the above suggested viscosities.

[zeek1403]

can I use 5-40 in this cold weather? would it be better than 10-40?

[yotatechie04]

The best oil you could possibly use in an older engine is thicker...if your oil is too thin, then you'll end up with some serious internal damage.

[zeek1403]

so what you are telling me is that 5-40 is not good for it? It gets cold here in the winter. 10-40 might be too tough to start with.