216,000 mile on 3800 V6

[DogLover]

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix with 216,000 miles on a 3800 engine. The car has always had Castrol 10w30 and AC-Delco filters. The car does not smoke and uses less than a quart every 5,000 miles. I changed the oil every 5,000 miles until the last two OC when I went with the OLM. The OLM took me to 7,000 miles before the change. My question: what would be the advantage (if any) of one of the high mileage oils? In the past I have bought the Castrol on sale but after reading the posts on BITOG I am thinking of moving to Pennzoil. I live in middle TN.
Any thoughts?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
terry274 - IMO what has worked well for you should be reason enough not to change a thing - well, except perhaps to trust the OLM

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Hi,
terry274 - IMO what has worked well for you should be reason enough not to change a thing - well, except perhaps to trust the OLM
+1 Dougs advice as usuall is spot on.

 

[Drew99GT]

I agree. Have you had the intake manifold gaskets and the upper intake/EGR stovepipe fixed? I'd be much more concerned about that.

 

[mechtech2]

High Mileage oils are slightly thicker and have seal swell/conditioner additives.
In addition , they often have extra additives of the type normally found in conventional oils.

It could be time for you to try one.

Just because any one did something for a long time is not reason to continue.
You may have done better with something else!
In all probability, you would have saved money on gas by using a 5-30 instead of the 10-30, and had a little more pep. And good flow is always important for the engine when cold/cool.
Going 1-2k longer on oil changes would have further netted you savings. Another brand may have burned less -who knows? All sorts of what ifs.

 

[DogLover]

The upper manifold gasket has been changed along with the intake manifold. The replacement manifold is a Dorman. I wish I had kept going and replaced the lower intake gasket.

 

[beast3300]

No advantage to a high mileage oil at this point for you. The 3800 will run on canola oil if need be. It isn't picky.

 

[crazyoildude]

use what has worked so far donr fix it if it is not broke because it will be

 

[aquariuscsm]

Keep doing what you`re doing. I used GTX in my Olds Trofeo (3800) and sold it with a lil over 300,000 miles. Never leaked or used a single drop of oil.

 

[Maritime Storm]

I'll tell you the same thing I tell my customers, if what you're using is working, keep using it.

 

[PhillyJoe]

I would be more concerned about your antifreeze at this point and the condition of your intake gaskets. Dexcool is not your friend.

 

[crazyoildude]

I meet a lot of people that use dex cool here in my engine shop

 

[Boss302fan]

Dexcool is fine if you do a drain and fill every 30K. If you go 4-5 years and a 100K miles then you need to flush it all out and replace. I never let mine get dirty. The Dexcool looks new in my radiator and overflow tank...