Amsoil 35K Drain Interval?

[malibu jimbo]

While looking for something else, I stumbled upon an item where a fellow was an Amsoil dealer, and had purchased a 99 Toyota Camry. He had replaced the factory oil with Series 2000 Amsoil 0w-30. Although Amsoil lists a drain interval of 35k or 1 year (whichever comes first), the engine "blew up" at 27k. When towed to a dealer for evaluation, 1/2" of sludge was found on the cam/valve train components. Evidently, Amsoil indicated they would cover the cost of a new short block. My question is: who is dumber, the guy that thought he didn't have to

change his oil for 35k, or Amsoil for guaranteeing this?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Well for one thing, that's one of the camry's sludge prone engines... amsoil's warranty says it has to be with a mechanically sound engine, and the camry's sludge engines I wouldn't exactly classify as mechanically sound.. -shrugs- I don't know, i'm not a lawyer.

 

[Lonnie]

Need details. Otherwise there is nothing but speculation about this problem. There is no doubt that Amsoil makes good products and as far as I know does not make idle claims about performance. You need to be aware that mileage intervals come with one caution. They are talking ideal circumstances. Your results may vary.

 

[TimVipond]

For certain known sludger vehicles (like this listed Camry), Amsoil says "Vehicles Prone to Sludge
The engines identified in the following chart have been reported to be prone to sludge. The use of AMSOIL Synthetic Motor
Oils at regular drain intervals established by the vehicle manufacturer will reduce the likelihood of sludge formation, provide
the best protection and insure that the vehicle manufacturer honors any extended warranty."

These cars have an 8 year unlimited warranty from Toyota for cases like this.

It would be good if this person could participated on this board so we can learn first hand about his situation. So far it looks like Amsoil made good on their warranty.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I read that same thing a couple of years ago, and to clarify, the only reason his engine "blew up" was because he never checked his oil during the 27,000 miles. The guy's defense was something like "I've always gone 25,000 miles and never had any problems." This happened before the Toyota's were known to be sludgers, and this was before Amsoil released a TSB that recommended against extended drains in these engines. It was posted here once before, and it gave details on what exactly happened. Also, this guy was an Amsoil dealer, which may have been part of the reason Amsoil corporate replaced his engine.

Amsoil should not have replaced his engine, he was a complete idiot for neglecting everything. I am not saying that extended drains are "neglecting" but to never check your oil is an act of negligence, and the person deserves what they get for it.

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

Amsoil makes some great products, but I would never consider 25K or 35K on ANY oil....without increased oil capacity, bypass filter, a filter change schedule, and oil analysis.

Too much work! 7K to 10K with a top synthetic in a modern engine is my solution.

I wouldn't run 25K to 35K , not even in a leased vehicle, nor would I run 15K to 20 in a Mercedes or BMW despite the fact that the OLM might say I could.


In some Amsoil products the base stock and additive package could be robust enough, how can anyone be sure that coolant, dirt, fuel, or water isn't a problem?

 

[Pablo]

AS the others have stated, old story. Just as a note, in the future it's best to provide a link. If some of us hadn't heard this story (more than once) - we'd be asking, and if there was no evidence.....you see where I'm going...

As for this guy. He was a FOOL. Not a very knowledgeable dealer, but he was honest enough to admit he didn't even check his oil.

Here's the Amsoil Change Interval Guide

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Quote:

---

Amsoil makes some great products, but I would never consider 25K or 35K on ANY oil....without increased oil capacity, bypass filter, a filter change schedule, and oil analysis.

Too much work! 7K to 10K with a top synthetic in a modern engine is my solution.

I wouldn't run 25K to 35K , not even in a leased vehicle, nor would I run 15K to 20 in a Mercedes or BMW despite the fact that the OLM might say I could.


In some Amsoil products the base stock and additive package could be robust enough, how can anyone be sure that coolant, dirt, fuel, or water isn't a problem?

---

7K is my limit - even for a name brand synthetic. Dilution can occur at any time - so why risk your $27K vehicle investment? Now if I leased, I would extend that OCI to manufacturer limits - but never beyond - despite what oil bottlers guarantee.

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[buster]

I would never go 25k/35k miles on any oil simply bc oil is cheap. Why take the chance? However, to reach 25k or 35k miles in one year, you are primarily doing all highway miles which are easy on the oil. It is doable in some situations.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

If we have noticed....I have, it appears that synthetic oils OCI have come down in recent years to a reasonable average of 12K.

Redline 12K
Mobil 1 15K
Amsoil 15K

Even Amsoil in many cases and specific oils is only stating twice the OEM OCI limits. For some reason, with these new engines....I have not figured it out....are not going the 25K Mobil and Amsoil use to do quite often.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I don't feel the "OCI Comedowns" are related to inferior oils -- just inferior/neglectful users of those oils...lol

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[buster]

Engines are pushing more hp today and oils are using less ZDDP, which is still a very effective A/O. I also think, as I've said before, that if you are averaging 25k a year, you are primarily doing all highway miles.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Along with what buster said, I believe it is the emission system controls which are putting too much stress on the oil. From my understanding, EGR is especially hard on oil in diesel engines, but I'm not sure if the same is true of gas engines.

One thing I have noticed with TeeDub's OCI formula, when an engine puts out more horsepower than the engine's cubic inch displacement, the calculated OCI is decreased significantly. This would verify what buster has said about higher horsepower engines.

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

Quote:

---

If we have noticed....I have, it appears that synthetic oils OCI have come down in recent years to a reasonable average of 12K.

Redline 12K
Mobil 1 15K
Amsoil 15K

Even Amsoil in many cases and specific oils is only stating twice the OEM OCI limits. For some reason, with these new engines....I have not figured it out....are not going the 25K Mobil and Amsoil use to do quite often.

---

I think of all those limits like this:

If I discovered that someone in my family had missed an oil change scheduled for 7K to 8K but they were still well under the upper limit of 12K or 15K for the oil...I would comfort myself that I was still 'in bounds' and it only happened once.

Even for a lease car, I treat it the same as any other car.

I might decide to keep it, and I wouldn't want the next owner to have any problems.


Obviously, I really cars and try not to abuse them.

When I sell my cars to friends they always keep running and give them years of great service for the money.

 

[mountravlr]

Yes indeed. Choosing to abide by the "severe service" interval for OCIs is on the side of safety. Why chance the possibliity of problems?

 

[unDummy]

Was the oil topped off regularly?
Was the filter changed regularly?
Any proof that this hearsay is real?
How many months did it take to make it to 27K?

 

[malibu jimbo]

Don't know if oil was topped off
I doubt filter was rpld
Could be hearsay ???
It appeared it was less than 1 year
Like I said, I stumbled on this....think it was a Toyota foum of some sorts. I'll see if I can find it again.