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Oil Question, with a twist.

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Old 04-30-2008, 11:05 PM
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Oil Question, with a twist.

I am a very experienced DIY, name it; Ive done it. I have owned 3 2nd gen runners becuase I am simply in love with them. I have never had one die(knock on wood) due to negligance. 1st one due to oil pump blowing up on highway at 70 mh, bye bye engine. As this was new in my DIY history I did not have the know how to fix it; so I sold it to someone who did. 2nd one was totaled when I guy slammed into it.

My third one is in by far the best shape and I take car of it the most, using the experince from the others to baby it.


It is a 90 runner, v6. It has a remand jasper 3vze engine with at this point under30k on it. I never went to syrhetic on the others simply becuase they had original engines all with over 150k on them. Ive always used castrolctx and had great experiences with it... but Ive been thinking; my reluctance to use sythetic has mainly focused on understanding that 20 year old engine design plus high milage engines can mean synthetic causes a mirage of issues. Usually they are:
1. as its a "smaller" particle oil, small oil leaks from old gaskets and what not on regular, can become BIG oil leaks with sythetic
2. the older, worn internal workings of these engines can allow to smaller synthetic to have more burn up..


NOW, for my question. First, I dont want this thread to be a WHICH is better. I know sythetic is a amazing oil. Better for engines.. blah blah blah. I know, and if I had a new engine, you bet its what I would run.

I want personal, educated advice. If my engine is a complete remand with at most 30k, and I say that becuase I dont know how many miles exactly it has. The truck only has 120k total miles on it, and the last owner had it done recently before I bought it.

DO you think I should go synthetic? Again, I would like to avoid a which is better or a WHAT I use, and becuase I use it.. it must be best thread.

Is 30k, at most on a remand engine with practically all new parts and re-bored to spec everthing, new enough you think you switch?

Thanks.
Old 05-01-2008, 04:19 AM
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Is there anyone who doubts that synthetic is better than dino? Synthetic was developed to provide better protection and a better alternative to dino in new high performance cars (well, new high performance cars in the early 90's when synthetic seemed to hit the market).

It is usually cost that determines what people use, but since you asked, I say YES(!) you should use synthetic.
Old 05-01-2008, 04:56 AM
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At 30k I think you would be safe switching to synthetic. There is some debate as to how much better it protects than conventional oil, but for $1-2 more per quart, why not?
Old 05-01-2008, 05:16 AM
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If it was my engine with only 30k on it, I would switch it to synthetic in a heartbeat
Old 05-01-2008, 06:42 AM
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I've switched to synthetic in engines with more milage than that, with no issues. I'm a very big believer in synthetic oils for a number of reasons - experience being the biggest one. Now would be a great time to switch, if you are going to.
Old 05-01-2008, 06:45 AM
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SWITCH! for the first few thousand miles keep an eye on the level. The only reason to switch back would be if it greatly increases oil burnoff.

I have 102k miles on my 22re, and The level doesn't drop at all over 3k miles (thats my filter change interval) with mobil1 5w-30, or 10w-30
Old 05-01-2008, 07:27 AM
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Yep.. Go synthetic.
Old 05-01-2008, 07:45 AM
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If you need a good deal:
http://customtacos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113097

I picked up 10 qts and 2 filters yesterday
Old 05-01-2008, 08:51 AM
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For an informed source for all things lubrication, see www.bobistheoilguy.com
Old 05-01-2008, 10:41 AM
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Go synthetic. I put synthetic in my 22RE that has about 170k miles on the engine. Most of the gaskets are new, but so far, it hasn't leaked much at all. That's to say, there is no noticeable fresh oil on the oil pan or from anywhere else really. I've put about half a quart in over about half an oil change interval- probably burn off.

I'd say go for it, if it doesn't work, then go back, but no harm in trying. You cannot damage an engine by putting synthetic in.
Old 05-01-2008, 10:46 AM
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I switched to synthetic with 120k (about 70,000miles) on my 3vze and its great. It burns a little more due to the valve seals but thats it.
Old 05-02-2008, 07:38 PM
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synhetic and get your oil tested.
www.lubedealer.com/dbcox
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