99 Lexus GS400 with only 44k miles - ok to switch?

[fonebone]

I just acquired this car two weeks ago. It's extremely well maintained for its age (photos here: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-second-generation/692379-new-owner-of-99-gs400.html)

This car had all its maintenance done at the dealer. Looking over the service records, it appears it's had dino oil its whole life. I know normally it's no big deal to switch to synthetic and back, but given the age of the car and how few miles it has on it, I'm worried about the condition of the seals. It's not leaking now, and if it's using oil it's using very little. Will switching to Mobil 1 at the next OCI create a disturbance in the force?

 

[Artem]

You will create a ripple in the universe by making the switch and a black hole will open underneath the car and swallow it whole!

Seriously though, synthetic will do it good at this age. Mileage is just a number anyway.

 

[Barkleymut]

you can put any oil with a recent API starburst on it and she will run fine.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: fonebone
Will switching to Mobil 1 at the next OCI create a disturbance in the force?


I would say the force is with you.

Give that beautiful car the Mobil 1 it's always wanted. The only seal you have to worry about is the BITOG Seal of Approval.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I switched the 99 RX300 from the conventional Pennzoil the Lexus dealer used to Pennzoil Platinum right around 40,000 miles or 3 years ago. This run is with Pennzoil Ultra. Never sounded better. Oil stays where it should.

 

[901Memphis]

Take the oil cap off and take some pictures of the inside of the oil fill hole. You can tell very easily what kind of condition its in since it doesn't have a baffle in it IIRC.

Post them here please

 

[bvance554]

Its not really a 'switch.' You're engine will not know the difference.

 

[MBS500]

Love those. Put.any oil you like, it will be good at resonable oci. If.it will make you sleep better, use HM oils.

 

[Capa]

I also have a 1999 GS400. Here in this city the dealership used semi-synthetic for 5,000 miles for years and years but around four years ago switched to dino with the same 5,000 miles. I have been running Mobil synthetics in this vehicle for the last four years and no leaks whatsoever. I first tried Mobil EP 5W-30, then AFE 0W-30, then 0W-40 (yep, switched to the dark side of the heavier oil group), then 0W-20 (yep, joined the rebellion), and now a mixture of 0W-20 and 0W-40. The engine is extremely peppy with the lighter oils but feels somewhat lethargic with the 0W-40 (also some loss of MPG).

Congrats on owning what was the fastest automatic sedan in the world! Enjoy:

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2011/08/05/re...eting-campaign/

 

[partspro]

I'd switch to synthetic in a heartbeat. I recently switched my girlfriends 1999 Olds Cutlass at over 175,000. The old girl purrs. The basis of the myth about switching was that the original 'real' synthetics were high in Ester, which caused seals to swell. Switch to dyno, after a while the seals reverted to 'normal' and leaks occurred. Since the 'new' synthetics are formulated differently, swap away.

 

[Vikas]

I have been here for a long time. These type questions get asked here often. Sometimes we also get somebody whose car starts leaking oil after the switch to synthetic.

He is then told "Synthetic did NOT create the leak, it just uncovered it. It was always there but junk in the engine had blocked the oil from flowing out. Synthetic cleaned those 'fake seals' and that is why it is leaking now. Just replace the seals".

If you don't mind getting the above answer, go ahead and switch.