I know a lot of people have sworn by it and claimed it has stopped or slowed a leak in their vehicle. But I would like to hear from people who think it is a gimmick and the reasons why? I've always been on the fence about sticking with a HM oil.
Lets hear from those who dislike HM oil.
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When you title a post "Lets hear from those who dislike HM oil." what type of informed/balanced discussion do you hope to get?
JMO.
JMO.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
When you title a post "Lets hear from those who dislike HM oil." what type of informed/balanced discussion do you hope to get?
JMO.
When you title a post "Lets hear from those who dislike HM oil." what type of informed/balanced discussion do you hope to get?
JMO.
I'm sure it has it's purpose. Really, though, it would be nice if people would spend the time and money to fix things like leaky valve cover gaskets and not let their engines get all sludged up in the first place.
Every day it seems there's a post here about a loud valvetrain. Does anyone ever adjust them... seldom if ever... seems everyone is looking for a miracle in a bottle. HM oil is often one of those "fountains of youth" that never quite pan out.
Every day it seems there's a post here about a loud valvetrain. Does anyone ever adjust them... seldom if ever... seems everyone is looking for a miracle in a bottle. HM oil is often one of those "fountains of youth" that never quite pan out.
Don't dislike them just don't think they work. There shouldn't be anything but quality oil in the crankcase,if you want additives put in Lucas,STP,Motor Honey or some other magic fluid. HM oil adds these things or worse for a higher price point. All gimmick and hype. If you don't have a problem with HM oils then by all means use them,their just not for me.
I'm not a fan of the engine oils that swell seals. A few reasons why. No all gasoline starburst, no energy conserving, at what point do they stop additional swelling.
note: I know the T6/T5 in my car aren't energy conserving but you gotta use your stash sometimes.
note: I know the T6/T5 in my car aren't energy conserving but you gotta use your stash sometimes.
I'm not buying it because of it's seal conditioners. I'm buying it because it's $13.50 for 5 qts and it's a semi-syn. Virtually the same price as PYB. Less than GTX.
I didn't think of the long term effects of running the seal conditioner/sweller.
Back to white bottle I guess. Maybe Motorcraft...
I didn't think of the long term effects of running the seal conditioner/sweller.
Back to white bottle I guess. Maybe Motorcraft...
Superbuick96
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So what I am gathering from this thread so far is the Pros that HM oil provides, could actually be considered Cons? With the seal conditioners/swelling,additives ect.?
I tried high mileage oil in my truck and it did nothing to stop my rear main seal leak. A local shop wants about $650-$700 to change the seal, so yeah that's not happening any time soon. I switched back to non high mileage oil with no effects.
To add to my former post(pure speculation no proof)by a mechanic (not one that i trust but a mechanic none the less) that the seal swelling and conditioning additive was in fact DOT 3 brake fluid and that adding an ounce or so at oc would render the same results or lack there of.
Not me!
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I use them for occasional clean up intervals(mainly on newly acquired used vehicles), but not continuously. Only a 'transitional' type of oil for me, but not really necessary. I can't speak for all HM oils, but the MaxLife Valvoline I use is nearly identical in price to their conventional where I shop, save .50 cents on a 5 Quart jug.
I always hear of people fearing long term damage from the seal swellers/ conditioners in hm oils, but I've never seen proof of damage or heard someone complain of damage.
I've see castrol gtx hm stop a leak in my car.
It's not DOT 3 brake fluid.
Lucas is a heavy oil with no additives. I've heard of the STP additive separating and settling in the oil pan.
I've see castrol gtx hm stop a leak in my car.
It's not DOT 3 brake fluid.
Lucas is a heavy oil with no additives. I've heard of the STP additive separating and settling in the oil pan.
beast3300 said:I'm not a fan of the engine oils that swell seals. A few reasons why. No all gasoline starburst, no energy conserving, at what point do they stop additional swelling.
My seals have swelled so much I'm putting this ML HM stuff in capsules and selling it as a cure for E.D. I call it MAX Wood!!!
Paranoia... If the MH oil swelled the seals till the point they ruptured there would be cars trailing oil everywhere... Also the HM oil can't fix a cracked/split seal, it isn't magic in a bottle...
I had a '92 Grand Marquis with bad valve stem seals, no HM oil helped, at 115K mi I changed the seals... I also had a '93 that when the seals started to fail at around 80Kmi, I switched to HM oil and when I sold it at 155K mi it was only using about half as much oil as the '92 did at 100K mi, prior to it's seals replacement(both had exact same 4.6L engine)...
The idea is to start using the HM oil prior to seal failure...
I had a '92 Grand Marquis with bad valve stem seals, no HM oil helped, at 115K mi I changed the seals... I also had a '93 that when the seals started to fail at around 80Kmi, I switched to HM oil and when I sold it at 155K mi it was only using about half as much oil as the '92 did at 100K mi, prior to it's seals replacement(both had exact same 4.6L engine)...
The idea is to start using the HM oil prior to seal failure...
dot 3 brake fluid wow that is a first
OK, when does high mileage begin?? My last two engines
(1.9 litre Escort commuter, 3.1 litre GM V6 severe use tow vehicle) still run like new at 300,000 miles, burn no oil, quiet, smooth, do not drip......... all on Mobil 1 0W20.
Now, why would one switch to an oil that might be thicker, reduce gas mileage and possibly increase engine wear (due to decreased flow during cold starts and the first couple of miles of inadequate lubrication) etc.
Maybe if your engine was shot I might try it for the seal swelling potential.
(1.9 litre Escort commuter, 3.1 litre GM V6 severe use tow vehicle) still run like new at 300,000 miles, burn no oil, quiet, smooth, do not drip......... all on Mobil 1 0W20.
Now, why would one switch to an oil that might be thicker, reduce gas mileage and possibly increase engine wear (due to decreased flow during cold starts and the first couple of miles of inadequate lubrication) etc.
Maybe if your engine was shot I might try it for the seal swelling potential.
I'm started using MaxLife 5w-20 to top off my 2007 Civic with 66k miles. I'm a little ashamed of that fact since the car is so new but it's got an oil burning problem for reasons I can't comprehend and I'm hoping this will help it because I'm sure not going to tear into it looking for problems. Too soon to know for sure though, since it hasn't had a full fill of the stuff yet. I have it sitting in the garage though, just waiting.
I also used MaxLife 10w-30 and 10w-40 in previous cars before I knew anything about oil. I also use it in our truck which doesn't see much driving and gets once a year OCIs. I may extend those OCIs further at some point. That thing's got 163k miles on it (we bought it with 155k or something) and I use MaxLife because I figure it can't hurt anything and might help.
Maybe all this means I'm a sucker
I also used MaxLife 10w-30 and 10w-40 in previous cars before I knew anything about oil. I also use it in our truck which doesn't see much driving and gets once a year OCIs. I may extend those OCIs further at some point. That thing's got 163k miles on it (we bought it with 155k or something) and I use MaxLife because I figure it can't hurt anything and might help.
Maybe all this means I'm a sucker
Depending on the situation. Major leaks I'd be very surprised if they help. Small leaks they help a lot...at least I'm my situation.
Not many useful comments on this thread.
Maybe it was doomed from the start by its title.
Seal swelling isn't the only reason to buy HM oils. And don't expect an HM oil to repair seals that are already worn out or cracked. The seal conditioning effect is only meant to swell the seal a few percent, and to re-plasticize the rubbber to keep it from cracking.
HM oils are also typically formulated with higher TBN to clean up sludge over time, and they have higher flash points and lower NOACK numbers to lessen oil consumption.
I did an oil change on my Camaro last fall with 2.5qts. M1 HM 5w30, and 3 qts. M1 5w30. It seemed at first that the oil changed color faster than the basic M1, but by the end of the OCI, the oil had not turned completely dark. Maybe it did clean up some sludge at first? Also, it did seem to reduce oil consumption over the 7000 mile OCI. I did an oil change a couple of weeks ago, using 100% M1 HM 5w30. It will be interesting to see how the oil consumption goes over this OCI.
Maybe it was doomed from the start by its title.
Seal swelling isn't the only reason to buy HM oils. And don't expect an HM oil to repair seals that are already worn out or cracked. The seal conditioning effect is only meant to swell the seal a few percent, and to re-plasticize the rubbber to keep it from cracking.
HM oils are also typically formulated with higher TBN to clean up sludge over time, and they have higher flash points and lower NOACK numbers to lessen oil consumption.
I did an oil change on my Camaro last fall with 2.5qts. M1 HM 5w30, and 3 qts. M1 5w30. It seemed at first that the oil changed color faster than the basic M1, but by the end of the OCI, the oil had not turned completely dark. Maybe it did clean up some sludge at first? Also, it did seem to reduce oil consumption over the 7000 mile OCI. I did an oil change a couple of weeks ago, using 100% M1 HM 5w30. It will be interesting to see how the oil consumption goes over this OCI.
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I started this thread because I've heard from many people that this stuff is so great...but then, I've also heard from several, more reputable people here who have more knowledge about motor oil than most of us who feel that it is a waste of money, and really not needed. I won't mention their names, unless they choose to come in here and post something on it. So, I guess I was trying to find others out there who feel the same way and see what other thoughts people had besides the ones I've spoken to about it. I prabably could have labled this differently.
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