Synthetic vs. Dino. By a Mechanic.

[Markcuda]

Corvettes come to mind but I know there are others.

Dodge Viper

 

[Ken45101]

The Aurora only leaks maybe 2 to 3 quarts between oil changes, so I probably won't mess with it unless it gets a lot worse. I haven't really figured out where is leaking at for sure, you can smell the oil on the exhaust after its been run. It could just be valve cover gaskets. I've tightned up everything I can get a wrench on but it didn't help much. Its my sons first car, he is eighteen now, and so far the only thing I've done to it beyond brakes is a water pump.

With that much oil leakage, why change the oil, it's happening automatically! :laughing:

 

[TheGoose]

I'll have to check around and see what the oil change places are charging for an avg. 5-6 qt oil change. I suspect, that for dino oil, it's in the mid to upper $20 range. Definitely NOT "$30-40" to have the oil changed, with dino oil, on an avg. truck like you quoted. You also said that the dino oil needs to be changed every 3K, which contradicts everyone except those in the oil change business. Your math don't work out too good without the 3K oil changes. Even dino oil should be able to go 5-7K.

I don't go cheap on my oil. I buy what's rated for the vehicle and change it when it needs changing. I have no doubt that using synthetic oil won't hurt a vehicle, but when you've seen as many trucks go 200-300K miles using regular dino oil the synthetic argument holds no water with me.

BTW I didn't intend to come off as combative. I get what you're saying about the internals being cleaner. The synthetic fuel thing was just a smart-*** comment I always make when people bring up the synthetic oil argument. Do what you think is best, and so will I. If the engine will run ~200K on regular oil why spend extra money on synthetic oil just so the inside is "cleaner".

I would like to know what kind of vehicles you are working on that need the engine rebuilt and how many miles and what kind of service were they? I think that the driver makes a lot more difference than the oil 90% of the time.

Goose... The prices I quoted were for people that take their rigs in and get the oil changed. Not prices for do it your selfers. 80% of people take their auto's in to a shop for an oil change. But your statement of......

"I don't run synthetic fuel so why bother with synthetic oil? " tells me you are cheap and probably buy bargain oil for your rigs....

Like I said in the beginning of my post. "JUST MY OPINION ON OIL" I am not trying to bash any oil's on the market. Just saying what my preference is and what I have seen tearing engines down that run the 2 different types of oils. It is just my opinion as a mechanic. So people can buy what they want.

Curley Dave... I don't know about the Mobil 1 EP. If I were to run 15.000 miles between oil changes I would take oil samples at 5000 mile intervals and have it tested for molecular break down. Can't say one way or the other as to if it's capable of 15.000 mile intervals. Hope this clears up my post and helps you out Curley... Have a nice night all..... Preston

 

[Ken45101]

You also said that the dino oil needs to be changed every 3K, which contradicts everyone except those in the oil change business.

I have no doubt that using synthetic oil won't hurt a vehicle, but when you've seen as many trucks go 200-300K miles using regular dino oil the synthetic argument holds no water with me.

#1 -- Many vehicles recommend 3000 miles for "severe service duty" which means towing or driving in heavy stop and go traffic and/or short trips. IOW, typical driving for many people. I figure I can go the extended 6000 miles safely when I used synthetic.

#2 -- As for many trucks going 200-300K, truck engines are built better AND have much larger oil capacity. My C3500 is 15 quarts vs. my Jeep which is 5 quarts.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't run synthetic fuel so why bother with synthetic oil?

BTW oil for an avg. truck doesn't cost $30-40.

I bet you do. That ethanol crap is just that and is by far the best cleaner you can add to any fuel system.

I run synthetic Castrol in my truck and car. 7500 mile changed. My diesel tractor and truck get dino oil with 50 hr changes on the tractor and 5000 mile changes on the truck.

By the way I am sitting at a oil change place right now, WalMart. Wife is getting stuff for the Super Bowl. Reg oil change is $28.99. Synthetic is $39.99. Thats Valvoline Syn Power Synthetic oil for the Synthetic and Quaker State for the dino.


Chris

 

[Johnp33]

I am a licenced HD mechanic got my red seal in 1973, I specialised in class eight engines but did Gas engines at home. I run Dyno oil in my 2008 Duramax, I really disagree with the comment about coking of the oil. that was what happened in the early turboed engines on the shaft, between the bushings. The newer oil in so much better than what was available thirty years ago,
I use synthetics in my wife's car, 93 caprice and my tractor, I do add an extra quart of ATF Dex 3 to the engine to clean it out before I change my oil usually 1/2 hour before I change it of highway driving. At work When doing an engine I would add a gallon of ATF, and run it at 1200 RPM while i cleaned it, and did the inspection. It is amazing how it cleans it up. Next time your hands are black rub a little ATF in them then wash them.
I have Magnetic drain plugs in all My vehicles, I drill the plug and install a magnet. on the Chev an 8.2 plug is the same.
I really do believe that changing the oil. It is the coolant of most modern engines. I would rather see the oil change twice with Dyno oil than once with synthetics, same price. I would never use any oil aditive. 99.9% of them have been proven to be 100% BS, Google most and their claims are under court order.
Just a thought!

 

[carmedic310]

I run synthetic in everything I own.To include my car carrier,tow trucks,tractors and my car and pickup.I change oil every 10.000 miles never had any problems.I first started using it in my harley.always use mobil 1 except in my diesels.I use rottella synthetic in those.

 

[TheGoose]

Yeah, I knew someone was going to call me on the ethanol thing. I don't consider the ethanol fuel, just additive. Makes me feel better!!

I bet you do. That ethanol crap is just that and is by far the best cleaner you can add to any fuel system.

I run synthetic Castrol in my truck and car. 7500 mile changed. My diesel tractor and truck get dino oil with 50 hr changes on the tractor and 5000 mile changes on the truck.

By the way I am sitting at a oil change place right now, WalMart. Wife is getting stuff for the Super Bowl. Reg oil change is $28.99. Synthetic is $39.99. Thats Valvoline Syn Power Synthetic oil for the Synthetic and Quaker State for the dino.


Chris

 

[PoorMansCat]

IMHO, with the exception of a few specific applications, synthetic oils in mass production automobiles are a waste of money.. but hey, its your money, spend it wherever it makes you sleep well at nite.
The new vette, viper, and blue oval hand built engines are definitely an exception.
I would also like to say that I would never waste my money on changing oil at 3K mile intervals. My wifes Mazda uses Valvoline 5-20 dino and gets changed somewhere between 6-7K miles.. whenever I get a chance. The Cummins in my stable gets Mobil 15-40 dino changed 6-7K intervals, whenever I remember to change it.
I recently partially disassembled an 03 Hemi due to hydraulic lock and saw some staining/varnishing... absolutely no sludge buildup though, all bearings looked perfect with 150K on the clock getting quickie lube oil changes all its life. Engine is still running today.

 

[Alan L.]

Just don't run a motor up to high miles on dino and then swap to synthetic, I know some motors come apart when that is done.

I guess that answers my question. I was wondering if it was too late to switch at 212,000 miles on my Honda Accord and 199,000 miles on the GMC Yukon XL.