No reason to use synthetic, costs more and when I did the head gaskets, timing cover and oil pan gaskets, no sludge at all. 298K on the Taurus and 294K on the Sable.
Oil blues...
- Thread starter RetiredUSNChief
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I don't use synthetic either. But I've pulled many engines down with pennzoil that were sludged horribly
OP
I agree. If you aren't running a high performance engine at "performance" levels, you're using a quality oil, and you're changing your oil as often as you should, then there's no real benefit to it.
If you want to run the oil a bit longer or just want to feel good about using a synthetic oil (which starts out natural, by the way), then more power to you. This is the route I choose to go...the oil itself is better because it has better chemical stability and viscosity, handles higher temperatures. I simply choose to go the higher quality oil for the added benefits, which MAY help over the life of a vehicle which I typically end up measuring well over 300,000 miles before I'm done.
However, people need to understand that running synthetic isn't the be-all and end-all of oil in vehicles, most especially with the modern oil standards. This isn't like the oil from the 70s and earlier.
The real kicker with oils today isn't so much the oil itself any more...it's the additives. When the additives start depleting, it's time for an oil change. If people really want to track that for a car, then have the oil analyzed every so often between oil changes and see how it actually performs. It costs a bit, which is why this is generally only done on large equipment where oil changes are measured in gallons and not quarts.
I've owned the two cares since they were ten months old, Hertz rentals from Wilmington location purchased in Raleigh, I got two cars for what some folks pay for just one.
I do all my own work. Used to use Quaker State but they were merged into Penzoil.I do run Mobil 1 in the Malibu, Ion and Edge. Back in the 1970's the oils were rated for SE CC now SN API ratings.
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OP
Unless we're talking about much older cars, with today's modern oils, I rather suspect that they've been seriously neglecting their periodic oil changes.
One more thing to check is the PCV on the Lexus, I had one on the Sable with no guts in it, just a plastic elbow! Was loosing a lot of oil. New valve and all was good. I check the PCV each oil change by shaking it.
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Nope. Recently. Within the last 7 to 8 years. And I know for a fact they weren't neglected.
Customer supplied oil and filter. I did the changes.
I would buy used cars with problems back in 1985 and flip them after repairing, got a Dodge Omni that would not run,
bad head gasket and when I dropped the oil pan the oil was like chocolate pudding! Car had a Group One filter, it felt very light weight,
I cut it open and no filter media in it at all! Great way to make money fixing engines at the shop the lady used.
OP
I freely admit I'm prejudiced against Quaker State and Pennzoil. That's an old-school dislike. I grew up with Kendall oil in vehicles.
I have long since shifted over to Mobil 1.
RedneckFur
Smith & Wesson is a religion of peace.
I don't know the LeSabre well, but I know a lot of the older mid-sized GM cars ran the 3800 V6 engine. I personally think that's the best engine GM ever designed. I've seen so many with 350K-500 miles on them that still run well.
Pennzoil is now Shell. Shells Pure Plus technology of making the base oil from natural gas makes for a cleaner oil to start with. Keeping the engine clean is one of the main purposes of oil. I run it in all my vehicles. My last 1999 Honda Accord with 265k miles didn't burn a drop of oil in 5k mile change intervals. My 2008 Subaru with 120k miles might be down a half a quart in 5k miles. I use the "High Mileage" Pure Plus Pennzoil in it.
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Bezep1
Well-Known Member
Subaru says 600 miles per quart is "normal". They seriously do.
I feel your pain, 3 daughters with old lincoln town cars, they knew if they didn't check the oil it was on them to pay for the damage. Even so I check it when they come over, and sometimes add.
You could do like I want to, just start an IV drip line, stick a jug on the roof and run it down into the filler cap LOL.
Glad you dodged a bullet
I feel your pain, 3 daughters with old lincoln town cars, they knew if they didn't check the oil it was on them to pay for the damage. Even so I check it when they come over, and sometimes add.
You could do like I want to, just start an IV drip line, stick a jug on the roof and run it down into the filler cap LOL.
Glad you dodged a bullet
OP
They're frickin' amazing engines. They rank at the top of great engines, in my opinion.
Well designed/built and a perfect balance of power/torque for the passenger vehicles they were intended for. And awesome mileage, too.