Added MMO Today...

[addyguy]

I've done several 8-9k OCI's on my 2002 Cavalier, used oil analysis are in that section under my username. At 8k, a conventional oil is pretty darn shot - my last two had TBN's of 1.5 (8k) and 0.5 (8.8k).

Near the end of my last OCI, the dipstick for my car started to have a thick, slimy film on it, and when oil was put in the container for the UOA, it left a thick coating of this slime on the sides of the container.

Based on this, I'm not doing any more 8k changes on conventional oil. At my last change, I put a car of Wynn's engine tune-up in with the oil to help do some cleaning, and I'm 'planning' on changing it around 4-5k miles, and staying as close to 5k as I can in the future. I can't afford to have my engine go into a slow decline from sludge build-up.

 

[chevrofreak]

Originally Posted By: cjcride
It is probable that since the MMO is thin w/solvents, it may be evaporating/burning off to do cleaning in the PCV system etc.


This.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
So, I accumulated another 1000 miles on the MMO and the oil level dropped by about .4 qt.

The oil appeared dark brown, nothing unusual.

I changed the oil and refilled with Shell 5w30 and a Wix filter. Once the oil level drops, I may add the other 1/2 qt of MMO to the crankcase.


So, I just turned 3000 miles on this fill of Shell 5w30 and a Wix filter.

The oil is only 1/4 to 1/3 qt low. Normally I would be 2/3 qt low by now.

I have been operating the car under the same conditions for the last few oil changes and I have also been using the same oil.

The oil also appears to be rather clean.

Thoughts?

 

[demarpaint]

The engine internals were probably fairly clean, you might have had a slight issue with dirty rings that was cleaned up since you used slightly less oil. Using a little less oil is always a good thing. Was there a problem you were trying to correct? There are cases where if there isn't much to clean you won't do any cleaning. Same thing happens to me when I add MMO to my oil, yet on friends cars that weren't maintained well the oil turns dark and dirty quickly.

 

[Boss302fan]

Some engines will sludge up even if you change the oil at 3k intervals. I think using MMO every other oil change would keep your engine from having any sludge issues. If you are having some issues with your engine then do the 20% MMO change. Then after that just use 8oz every oil change. I think after you clean most of the sludge/varnish out, that a small dose of MMO with every oil change should keep your engine clean.

 

[Akiba]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: stenerson
8000 on dino? I know dinos are much improved now but is this common practice now?


Well, on my particular car the interval is 6mo/6k for normal service, so I am about 2,000 miles overdue.

But in general, conventional oils can go as long as 12,500 miles (or more) on the newer GM vehicles with Oil Life Monitors.


yeah on my car 6000 miles is about 50% on the oil life monitor so i change the oil at that point. i just can't trust the oil any longer. however my dad on the other hand takes his oil to 25% which is normally around 10,000 miles on his two trucks. i find that crazy but hey for the last 6 years it has been working great for him. these new SM oils are good for sure.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Akiba
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: stenerson
8000 on dino? I know dinos are much improved now but is this common practice now?


Well, on my particular car the interval is 6mo/6k for normal service, so I am about 2,000 miles overdue.

But in general, conventional oils can go as long as 12,500 miles (or more) on the newer GM vehicles with Oil Life Monitors.


yeah on my car 6000 miles is about 50% on the oil life monitor so i change the oil at that point. i just can't trust the oil any longer. however my dad on the other hand takes his oil to 25% which is normally around 10,000 miles on his two trucks. i find that crazy but hey for the last 6 years it has been working great for him. these new SM oils are good for sure.


Why worry about the OLM? There is plenty of evidence on this board that the OLM is very accurate, even with conventional oils. I could understand worrying about an unknown, but that just isn't the situation now days.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Akiba
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: stenerson
8000 on dino? I know dinos are much improved now but is this common practice now?


Well, on my particular car the interval is 6mo/6k for normal service, so I am about 2,000 miles overdue.

But in general, conventional oils can go as long as 12,500 miles (or more) on the newer GM vehicles with Oil Life Monitors.


yeah on my car 6000 miles is about 50% on the oil life monitor so i change the oil at that point. i just can't trust the oil any longer. however my dad on the other hand takes his oil to 25% which is normally around 10,000 miles on his two trucks. i find that crazy but hey for the last 6 years it has been working great for him. these new SM oils are good for sure.


A lot of testing and R&D has gone into the OLM. I would run it until 20% and not worry. Unless they want the oil changed every 6 months if you don't trigger the OLM. JMO

 

[The Critic]

Update:

I am now at about 4500 miles on this fill of Formula Shell 5w30.

Last weekend, I was about 1/2 qt low (maybe a bit more) which means I burned about 1/2 qt after 1200 miles or so.

Then, I went on a 200 mile drive yesterday at 65-70 with frequent WOTs and I burned 1/3 qt during that drive.

So, I topped off with 1/2 qt of MMO.

 

[demarpaint]

Don't sweat it, some cars do that with the addition of MMO. c3po had a similar report when he started using it. I had that happen with several cars over the years, and a few showed no oil use at all. Your engine is probably cleaned up now, and when you change this oil out go back to your favorite oil. After that you can add a pint of MMO for the last 500-1000 miles of your OCI and keep things clean.