'02 Chrysler Town & Country w/ 80K Synthetic?

[beatle78]

Hi guys,

I LOVE this forum! Just found it a couple of week ago! The only bad part is that I sleep less and read more

My wifes minivan has 80k miles on it. We bought it w/ 63k miles in March '07.

I want to switch all our vehicles over to synthetic since we usually keep our vehicles until they just can't be driven anymore. Plus I like the idea of extended OCI's.

I screwed up big time last year. I think my wifes car went close to 1 year and 10k miles without an oil change on Napa 5W-30 oil. I "assumed" that she would tell me when it was time to change it.

I was driving it one day and took a corner and the oil light came on. When I got home I put ~3.5-4 quarts of oil in her car!

I changed it 2 days later( when I had time ) with more Napa 5w-30 and a NAPA gold filter.

Should I do some sort of engine flush before I switch to synthetic? I'm afraid there could be sludge and bad things caked up in there.

Thanks,
beatle78

 

[drivewaytech]

Don't really see a need to do a flush in order to change over to a synthetic oil. If you feel the need to cleanse the engine, I would suggest looking at Auto RX. Using Auto Rx would delay your switch to synthetics, but however would be worth the wait. Many mechanics and myself (not a mechanic) don't recommend a harsh engine flush. If those bad caked things break loose and find their way to the oil pump screen, much worse things will happen.

Auto Rx

The best way to prolong the life of your engine is reasonable OCI's and keeping the oil topped off. Make a habit of checking it once a week, it only takes 1 minute. I took an empty baby wipe box and filled it with napkins and placed it outside by my garage door. When I get home from work I can quickly pop the hood on my wife's car and check the oil level. Toss the napkin in the outside trash can, done in thirty seconds.

 

[Durango]

For myself I don't/never advocate changing oil that long of an interval even if it was a synthetic. I'd flush it well and change over to any synthetic oil you prefer.

Durango

 

[beatle78]

thanks! I just ordered a bottle!

$25?!!! WOW, I hope it's really that good.

 

[beatle78]

Originally Posted By: Durango
For myself I don't/never advocate changing oil that long of an interval even if it was a synthetic. I'd flush it well and change over to any synthetic oil you prefer.

Durango


what do you mean, "flush it well"? did you mean autoRX, then switch to synthetic?

 

[drivewaytech]

He may have been referring to running a couple of very short OCI's on inexpensive dino then switching to synthetic or perhaps he was referring to the AutoRx. If you follow the instructions (which you should for it to work properly) you must start off using regular conventional (dino) oil. The $25 is worth it.

Discusion of that very subject...

 

[FZ1]

Just run the synthetic for 3-4k and see how how dirty it gets. Then dump and repeat. Cancel the order for that junk.

 

[coffee]

I would just go with MaxLife 5w30 and it will clean up the excess as well as protect for the higher mileage. You will get the best of everything.

 

[pickled]

Amsoil Engine Flush works good, and I have yet to here of anyone grenading an engine while using a quick flush product. For something that obviously will have some varnish in it I would do a chem flush to get rid of the build up...then go to a few short intervals with a dino oil and decent filter before busting into synthetics and extended OCI's. I personally haven't used the ARx products, but it is a pretty religious experience for most here that have (envision a candle lit garage with a lone monk placing his hood over his head while chanting as the bottle is slowly poured into the crank case).

 

[JohnBrowning]

Heck ya you should flush that thing I gurantee if you ran it dry over the course of a year on dino it has some deposits!! Grab a pint of B12 Chemtool or Golden Eagle,Gunk,LubeGuard brand oil flush. Add the entire bottle to a cold engine with your realatively fresh oil and run for 15-30 minutes at fast idle around 1200-1500RPM's then drain and refill withyour fresh synthetic oil and a new filter!

 

[Bryanccfshr]

You only had 2-2.5 quarts of oil left in the car when you caught the situation. I am not a proponent of harsh solvents but would recomend a soft clean with either a Lubecontrol or autoRX flush. Differnt approaches and schools of thought. I would also inspect and repair as needed the crankcase ventilation system. Excessive consuption is sometimes a good indicator of faulty crankcase ventilation. My primary concurn would be the rings being stuck. Look up "Molasoak" for a good type of procedure.
Once you have covered these mantence items just change the oil regularly and make a habit of checking the oil levels regularly. Perhaps with this maintenece you can cut some consuption.

 

[beatle78]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
You only had 2-2.5 quarts of oil left in the car when you caught the situation. I am not a proponent of harsh solvents but would recomend a soft clean with either a Lubecontrol or autoRX flush. Differnt approaches and schools of thought. I would also inspect and repair as needed the crankcase ventilation system. Excessive consuption is sometimes a good indicator of faulty crankcase ventilation. My primary concurn would be the rings being stuck. Look up "Molasoak" for a good type of procedure.
Once you have covered these maintenances items just change the oil regularly and make a habit of checking the oil levels regularly. Perhaps with this maintenance you can cut some consumption.


I replaced the PCV valve last night and I took the throttle body off and cleaned it (it was pretty oily in there).

What else to I need to inspect/replace?

 

[RFIRE]

I have used Mobil 1 5W-30EP since new in my 04 Town & Country, now have 100,000 miles, and have changed the oil once a year. It still runs like new, uses little oil and there is no sign of sluge or wear.

 

[beatle78]

Originally Posted By: RFIRE
I have used Mobil 1 5W-30EP since new in my 04 Town & Country, now have 100,000 miles, and have changed the oil once a year. It still runs like new, uses little oil and there is no sign of sluge or wear.


WOW, so you go ~25k on 1 oil change? That's awesome!!

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: FZ1
Just run the synthetic for 3-4k and see how how dirty it gets. Then dump and repeat. Cancel the order for that junk.


Not sure why he's calling ARX junk. I've had good results with this and so have a large number of others. Do some reading in the Oil Additives forum for more information.

 

[beatle78]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the opinions on here.

I dumped the Auto-RX into my wifes car this weekend. It's only been a couple of hundred miles since I changed the oil so that's good enough as a "fresh" oil change in my book.

FYI,

I ordered Auto-RX last Thursday morning from Florida and it was at my house Friday morning!! Go DHL ground!!!