Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT - synthetic oil

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Jim.UT

05-07-2005 11:11:48




Report to Moderator

I just bought a low mile pickup truck and decided to make the jump to synthetic oil because of all the great things I read about it. My question is, what is a reasonable oil change interval when using synthetic? Should I stay with the same interval as with convential oil or will the synthetic oil hold up longer? Any and all opinions welcome. Knowledgeable responses from folks with experience in this area especially welcome!
third party image

P.S. The truck is a '98 Chev with 7.4L Vortec gas engine. Verified odometer reading is 24,000 miles.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
RusselAZ

05-07-2005 22:03:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
All the opinions and discussion about synthetic oils reminds me of the same discussions that went on when radial tires began to show up. The old coffee shop rumors die hard.

If every gas powered RV had synthetic oil in them I doubt I or anyone else would ever need to replace the engines in them. The diesel pushers are in a different class and I service them with either Rotella or Delo whichever the owner wants.

The biggest reason, (HUGE) that engiens and oils last longer is because of Fuel injection. In a well tuned fuel injection engine the old bygone condition of gasoline deluting the oil and filling it with carbons is gone. Recently we took the heads off a 96 Jeep with the 5.9 in it with around 200,000 miles on it. The hone marks were still on the cylinder walls. And that was with regular oil and TLC vehicle care.

Synthetic oils will do and protect things that regular oils can't even dream of. However, these talents show their true colors at the extreme of conditions. At normal conditions there isn't a lot of difference. One of the extremes is how long you can run the oil. I have ran synthetic oils since 1976 and they are wonderful at 30 below and 400 above. A few years ago I had the cooling screen plug on a briggs engine and I was running it at 3600 RPM running a compost grinder. I burned the paint off the upper area of the crankcase but didn't hurt the engine or the oil from what I could tell. It was an aluminum bore engine. I took the head off and looked,,knowing it would be scored. It wasn't. Put it back together and it is still running like new. Extremes is where it shines.

I run synthetic with Napa gold filters for 6000 to 8000 miles depending on when I think about checking. Sometimes longer. At least, double the change interval and enjoy the peace of mind. Lucky you finding that truck. Congrad's.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Ray,IN

05-07-2005 20:08:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
JimUT, This discussion is very informative and the author includes links to substantiate everything he writes. He identifies two true"synthetic" oils, the rest are only petroleum oils with extra "stuff".



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
steve(ill)

05-07-2005 20:01:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
synthetic oil is great, and also expensive. in very cold weather it can be a plus.--- the most important consideration of oil is to keep it clean. you can leave the synthetic oil in there and change filters often, or just use standard quality oil and filter and change every 5000 miles. the name of the game is get the crud out of the oil. i prefer to change every 5000 miles and use a good quality 10w30 oil.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jon H

05-07-2005 18:51:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
I have used mobil 1 in all my gas engine rigs since the late 70's. The only reason to change at the recommended interval is if the rig is still under warrenty and the maker demands it. I live in a rural area,so most of my driving is on dirt/gravel roads or farm dirt trails,so I run under severe conditions all the time. I first used Mobil 1 in a new 79 Dodge. I was used to changing conventional oil and filter at 2-3,000 miles,so I found it hard to believe the claim of up to 25,000 miles as stated on the old 70's metal Mobil 1 cans. To see if I dared extend oil changes in my heavily loaded and dirty conditions,I had the oil tested at 3-6-9 and 12,000 miles by a Cat oil lab. The first sample said iron was a little high,but might just be new engine break in. The sample at 6-9 and 12,000 miles said the oil was fine,and good for more miles. since that time I have changed the oil and filter at 1 year or 12-14,000 miles without worry. This is everything from the 3L Caravan to the Chevy 3500 with 7.4L. I have some rigs with over 250,000 miles using Mobil 1 and changed at 1 year. Oil consumption on the used high mileage stuff that I have changed to Mobil 1,usually goes down 50% with synthetic oil. The oil keeps it's golden brown color untill 7-8,000 miles. I credit Synthetic Mobil 1's superior oil film as the reason the oil consumption is less and blowby contamination of the oil is much less than with mineral oil. I normall use a good name brand oil filter and change it at 1 year with the oil. The Mobil 1 filter does keep the oil looking clean longer,but I find very few stores stock them. About the only source for Mobil 1 filters is a K mart store 100 miles away,and they do not have a good selection.
In our northern climate,my engines have to deal with temps from -40 to 100+ . Mobil 1 gives me easy winter starts with instant oil pressure/engine lube,yet great oil pressure and low consumption even at very high loads and temps.
attached is a link to the Mobil site,they have improved the additive package in their oils to cope with longer oil drain intervals. I have old stock still on hand,so have not tried the new stuff,but the site makes it sound very good.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
stum

05-07-2005 16:42:05




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
My wifes 96 Suburban has 219,000 hard miles on an untouched engine (7.4) running Rotella 15-40 since its first oil change.It pulls a 2 horse trailer 3-4 dys a week. I change the oil and filter every 4000 miles. It doesn't use any oil,still carries 60# oil pressure hot. My Dodge Diesel pickup has 378,000 miles on an untouched engine also running Rotella on a 5000 mile oil change.I have had excellent result running Rotella and with my change intervals,I sure can't justify the extra expense of synthetic(almost 3 times the cost)You still have to change it at the recommended intervals.Saw the 5th wheel in the back of your truck,towing is considered extreme service (3-4000 mile interval is recommended),7 quarts of mobil 1 and a filter=$50+every oil change,or 7 qts of 15-40 Rotella and filter=$14+ every oil change.Just don't add up to me.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dug

05-07-2005 16:12:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
Nice looking truck, Jim. You should change synthetic oil the same as regular oil, every 5,000 miles.

Concerning the low mileage on your truck. I really wouldn't worry about a dealer turning the odometer. The number of crooks that actual do that are few and far between. The penalty is very stiff and not worth the effort. There are plenty of other ways dealers make thier money.

Dug



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jim.UT

05-07-2005 18:22:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Dug, 05-07-2005 16:12:14  
Near as I can tell from researching the history of the truck, it's only been sold by one dealer, Henderson Chevrolet in Henderson, NV when it was new. The original owner sold it to the man I bought it from in Oct '02. The truck had 17000 miles on it at that time.

I worked in car sales at a Pontiac/Olds dealer for a couple of years and I never saw any odometer altering at that dealership. There may still be some of that going on at the smaller fly-by-night corner lots, but I doubt it happens much at a major dealership.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
tlak

05-07-2005 14:39:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
Congrats on the truck, I know you've been looking for a while.
The site I linked answered some questions I've been curious about. I thought if it was all it claimed: better mileage, less wear, reduced oil usage, then if the trucking industry adopted it, it would reduce our foreign dependency and reduce the cost of syn oil. So I thought what is it made of, is it a derivative of oil anyway? The site answered some of my questions. Their fossil based because most of the synthetics are fossil. They named only one that was an actual synthetic. Mobil 1 But I still don't know what that is made of. I think that a fleet should have all syns installed and then test them for a year. Do they have less wear and better mileage. The gov could subsidize and the bennies from syn could spread. Is this test already out there since the inception of syn?

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TomTX

05-07-2005 14:32:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
Jim,
you said 1998 with only 24,000 miles. That is over 7 years, which would be about 3,000 miles per year, or 250 miles per month, or only 58 miles per week since new. Does pedal wear, bed liner wear, tire wear, etc match that low mileage. Are all tires one brand, and is it one used by GM in 1998. You should have way over 50% tread on original equipment tires. Dealers around here all turn back the speedometers for sale. By the way I use Mobil One and change at the regular severe use mileage of 3000 to 4000 miles. Others will say to run it longer, but my own opinion is that the oils pick up contaminants and loses some of its additive package. I have not pulled a head, or dropped an oil pan since an old chevy six back in the early 1960s. I can't even remember when I switched to Mobil One, but it has been many years. To me the dollars spent on quality lub/filters is the cheapest money spent on your vehicle.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
RusselAZ

05-07-2005 21:28:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to TomTX, 05-07-2005 14:32:20  
Dealers or no one else can turn back a speedometer and haven't been able to for about 20 years. Even if someone did want to take the time to run the odometer past the million mile mark to get it back to zero, the mileage is recorded in the ECM since 1995.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jim.UT

05-07-2005 18:04:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to TomTX, 05-07-2005 14:32:20  
I did a full check on the low mile claim. The truck has had two owners. The Carfax report showed 8000 miles on the truck after the first year after it was bought new. No more than 2 or 3 thousand per year after that time. Both owners were older retired guys who thought they were going to see the world pulling a 5th wheel trailer but soon discovered they weren't healthy enough to do that. There's no bed liner and very few scratches in the bed paint. Pedals and the rest of the interior look brand new. I'm pretty confident the miles are legit, but thanks for your concern.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
cockshutt446

05-07-2005 11:54:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
I use amzoil full synthic in all my stuff I bought a new dodge in 2001 with the cummins in it and a new volvo semi in 2001 also with cummins in it. Dodge said i had to change the oil every ten thousand but when cummins called me to regester the waranty cummins said I could go 40 thousand to a change with extened life filters and would not void the warranty. They told me they prefered I run it its good stuff works real good in the winter. I change mine twice a year in the pickup summer and winter the semi I do 2o to 30 thousand

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jay (ND)

05-07-2005 11:51:15




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jim.UT, 05-07-2005 11:11:48  
Good question - you are going to get a zillion answers and none are all right or all wrong.

You could go 15,000 probably as long as you oil sampled to get to that point - you could also go 2000 and not have anything to worry about, but thats crazy. Mobil has oil now that is good for 15k or once a year. My question then becomes, what do you use for a filter?

Your filter better be able to stand those miles OR you must change it in between times of changing oil. Don't spend $5 per quart for oil and $1.99 for a filter.

Sorry, I know there is no answer here, I just want to throw in some food for thought.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
e

05-07-2005 17:41:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jay (ND), 05-07-2005 11:51:15  
Chuck hit it right on the head....you can easily go 15k between oil changes, but it would be advised to do an oil anlysis every 5-7.5k. The oil can easily make it to 15-20k, but be conserned with the other junk that can find its way in. Case in point: I drive an '96 dodge and change the oil every 2k in winter because the short trips I make increase the fuel dilution significantly. The oil is still fine, but the lubricating qualities start dropping off when 3% of the oil is gasoline.

As far as filters goes, the standard 'ol Fram is the best...no joke. Look at their boxes, what they claim is right(I've worked in the lube filter world and have done competitive testing on them). The 99% multi pass efficiency measured via the J1589 test spec on their Tough Guard filters is right on and is the industry's best.(J1589 is the standard test for all spin on lube filters) $10 amsoil filters won't even come close in terms of performance. In short, buy the Fram Tough Guard filters, and you will have the best spin on filter avaliable.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Chuck MI

05-07-2005 12:34:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Jay (ND), 05-07-2005 11:51:15  
My uncle worked with a guy that never drained his oil pan. Just spun off the filter, installed a new filter, and topped off the engine with fresh oil. Did this for years with no problems (ont synthetic oil)

OIL!!! Boy can I smell the opinions forthcomming.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Davis In SC

05-07-2005 19:13:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT - synthetic oil in reply to Chuck MI, 05-07-2005 12:34:31  
I once knew a guy that did the same... He always drove big Buicks, he traveled the Southeast supervising boiler repairs. He always laughed at eveyone for changing oil, said it was a waste of time & money. All he did was put on a new filter & top it up. I remember one Buick he drove had over 250,000 miles on it when he traded it...



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy