Chevron Supreme or Mobil Clean 5000

[landonalder]

Hey, so I drive a 1995 civic with about 150,000 miles on it. I've recently replaced my distributor o-ring and valve cover gasket, but I still have oil leaking out from somewhere under my distributor so I've decided that maybe switching from the synthetic I've been using (Pennzoil Platinum) to a conventional oil might help my situation.

I've seen that Mobil Clean 5000 has had good feedback from people and has a high amount of tbn. I've also heard good things about Chevron supreme.

I'm just wondering which one you'd recommend and why.

I drive about 15,000 miles a year and am planning on doing 5k oil changes. Most of my trips are at least 10 miles and are usually highway miles.

 

[panthermike]

I prefer MC5000.

 

[dgee]

My sludgemonster got MC5K today.

 

[sicko]

I prefer Havoline/Chevron Supreme. But I wouldn't hesitate to put Mobil Clean 5000 in my vehicle. You can't go wrong with either oil.

Any thought on maybe using MaxLife semi-synthetic? You get a great semi-synthetic oil that can 5k miles with ease, it's on the thicker side so it doesn't leak or burn as easily, and it's very reasonably priced. Might be worth considering.

How bad is the leak

 

[landonalder]

I think it leaks about half a quart over 5000 miles. Who's maxlife made by? I can't for the life of me figure out where its leaking because its about the head gasket and I think the distributor o-ring and valve cover gasket are the only places it could be leaking except for that.

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

neither, maxlife

did you use hondabond at the corners?

perhaps your leak can be coming from the camshaft seal(if your car has one)

 

[Herz]

Of the two you listed I would pick Chevron Supreme/Havoline, BUT MC5k is a great oil too.

 

[landonalder]

I didn't use hondabond, but when I took it to a shop, they said they used an adhesive on the corners of the gasket so I would assume its similar to hondabond.

The only thing that worries me about chevron supreme is that its supposed to be a really thin oil.

So maxlife is supposed to be thicker, but is it a good oil?

 

[Oregoonian]

I would reccomend MaXLife Blend 5w30. Its made by Valvoline and its a great high mileage oil that can help stop leaks

Its sold at Walmart in 5 gallon jugs and at a price that is not much more than a conventional oil (like Chevron Supreme or Mobil 5000)

And while at it, get a good upper tier oil filter (stay away ftom Fram). A Purolator PureOne or Bosch Preminum at less than $6 are the best.

________________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3L / 82K
Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 Syn / OCI 7000+/-
Purolator PureOne
Redline SL-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner
______________________________________________

 

[Herz]

Maxlife is about 16.50 here, just 3 bucks more than a conventional and its a blend too.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: landonalder
I think it leaks about half a quart over 5000 miles. Who's maxlife made by? I can't for the life of me figure out where its leaking because its about the head gasket and I think the distributor o-ring and valve cover gasket are the only places it could be leaking except for that.


A 15 years old with 150k miles and lost 1/2 quart per 5k miles is very little. You don't even need to top off between OCI's.

Valvoline MaxLife 10W30 may be able to slow the leak a little.

 

[landonalder]

I've been using a bosch premium filter and I've loved it. Thanks for all the advice everybody, but I just checked at my schuck's and maxlife costs twice as much per quart as mobil clean and chevron supreme.

 

[Herz]

Wow, try Wal-Mart if you have one near you.

 

[crazyoildude]

High mileage oils work well in most apps..

 

[jeepman]

I use MC5K personally, but agree that MaxLife is the best oil for this application. Worth the extra three bucks or so...

 

[landonalder]

Cool guys, I'll try to find it at my wal mart!

 

[Oregoonian]

Agree....purchase MaxLife Blend....you;ll be glad you did.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Between the two oils asked by the OP?

Either. And I'd NOT go with the High Mileage oils myself. Not needed IMO.

Bill

 

[ThirdeYe]

Does the engine in the Civic have a small rubber cam plug on the passenger side? I know mine started leaking which made it seem like it was the distributor o-ring.

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

doesn't appear to be on the dizzy side
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=178690

did your mechanic thoroughly clean off the old silicone when doing the valve cover seal?