Recent content by Adamwest

I have a 1995 318i with the M43 motor. Though it is a little different than the M42, I believe that the oil requirements are similar if not the same. At 140,000km, it runs very well on the Maxlife 10w40 I used for the last OC-much better than the unknown 10w40 dino that was in it when I bought...

I recently moved here from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The driving there, as well as parts of Southern California, Nevada, Texas and others, is relatively fast (80-85mph) and for extended durations in very hot temperatures. I used to have a commute of over 100 miles round trip per day, and we...

The leak was from the cylinder on the driver's side closest to the front grill and it would spill coolant into the exhaust. The oil was not effected and it did not go through combustion. Created a white, kind of sweet smelling steamy exhaust. I do think the 40wt would be acceptable. I read the...

I was wondering about that. Despite being certified, it was a lease return that was from a contractor of some sort. I think garage doors maybe. Anyway, I now have my concerns that it may have been run really hard for the first 60k. But, like I wrote before, it ran very, very well for the next...

My '88 Tercel has the 3 speed auto as well, believe me, I keep an eye on the fluid levels even though consumption isn't much of an issue at 110k miles. The engine screams like crazy at 85 mph and does use more at those speeds than around town, but not wanting to be stranded keeps me on top of it.

I have not overheated it actually, though I thought about that. Until the very end I was impressed by how well it ran and really thought I would get another 200k out of it. How quickly things change.... I did not see anything in the manual about using a higher viscosity though I am aware of...

I just found out that my 2001 Tundra with the 4.7 V8 has a cracked head. Also, it just started knocking a bit in the last couple of weeks. With the engine torn down, I was shown the scoring in the cylinders and was told that it had been driven hard and the bottom end was basically worn out...

It was 119 yesterday and will be again today here in Mohave County about two hours from Vegas. I run 10w30 synthetics, both M1 HM and PP in the Tundra, the Volvo, and the old Tercel. Also be sure to pay attention to your tires and battery.

That scary sensation is just the "fun" of getting to constantly run the hamster powered motor at full capacity. Actually, I-40 in the summer with the AC on and foot down at 85 is quite entertaining. My 88 Tercel is what got me thinking about oil and led me here.

Thanks for the input. It's not that I want to mix or come up with my own Frankenblend out of curiosity or rebellion, it is really more of an issue with staying within the manufacture's guidelines. I also had been wondering if the 10w-40 avoidance advice still held, and it looks like that might...

The only thing with HDEO is that it really limits one's options. I was thinking about wanting to try Maxlife.

For my 1988 Volvo 240, the manual calls for 15w-40 if the car will be subjected to use that is very hard on the car such as towing or when in extreme heat. I was also looking at a Dodge Dakota manual from 1989 and it said that 10w-40 was not recommended for that engine. Additionally, I have...

I have a Tundra with a very similar if not identical engine and have been using the much maligned M1 5w-30 with no noise issues, consumption, or any other problems at all. On my last OC about 200 miles ago I went with Synpower and it runs just as well and seems just as happy. It now has 174k and...

I was actually wondering about the zinc level and I'm a little embarrassed to say I don't know if has a flat tappet cam. I have only seen one other 60s vintage (not the rebadged Caprice from the 80s) on the road. That was in Los Angeles about 5 years ago and haven't seen another since. There...

I wish I meant 35! No, original everything except for the electronic ignition. It runs very strong after the ticking stops after it warms up. It's funny here since there are a lot of car enthusiasts and many of them don't know what to make of this "strange" Pontiac. On numerous occasions I...