Mechanic Oil Change?

[00Crew]

Ok, come Monday, I am having major work done to my vehicle (2005 Nissan Xterra / 86,000 miles / Auto / 2WD). I am having the timing chains replaced, along with water pump and thermostat while it is opened up. I know this isn’t that many miles, but there is a problem with these engines in the Xterra/Pathfinder/Frontier (4.0) where the secondary timing chains wear down the “plastic” tensioners, and cause the engine to “whine”. I have actually made it farther than most X owners have without the whine/noise being too bad. Of course I bought the truck right out of warranty, so it wouldn’t have helped if it was doing it then anyways.

Ok, enough boring backstory.

Since the front of the engine will be opened, my the Mobil 1 5w30 that has about 2,000 miles left will be drained out, and I am sure generic 5w30 and cheapo filter will be put back on.

My question is (since I have run 5w30 Mobil 1 since purchasing the truck with 60,000 miles), should I drive it a couple of days on the bulk oil/filter and let it catch any impurities that may be present from the work, and change over to Mobil 1 (or equivalent synthetic on sale) with PureOne. OR should I just run the bulk oil for 2500-3000 miles, then change over to the synthetic?

 

[Danh]

Either is probably OK, but if it were me I'd run it for a week or two and make the change. It isn't just contaminants from the engine work, but do we really know what oil mechanics put in cars? The generic filter is another reason.

 

[00Crew]

Yeah, who knows what kind of oil was actually put back in the truck. I was thinking of buying synthetic and just giving it to the shop to put in there, but thought better of it.

Maybe I should go check out WM and see if they have the $5 off PP out.

 

[apwillard1986]

I had the oil pan gasket replaced on my truck shortly after an oil change. After the repair I drove directly to the store and bought oil and a filter and put what I like to run back in it. Will it hurt to run what he puts in there, of course not, but it’s cheap peace of mind if it bugs you. It bugged me so I understand.

 

[electrolover]

Either way is fine.

But when they opened my engine up, I took them the oil and filter I wanted instead of paying $12 a qt for MC synthetic.

 

[00Crew]

Yes, I was thinking about taking them the oil like I said above, but I would rather witness me, myself, and I putting the oil in

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted By: 00Crew
Yes, I was thinking about taking them the oil like I said above, but I would rather witness me, myself, and I putting the oil in

Boy...if that's the case...then maybe you need another mechanic...if you can't trust him to use your oil...how do you trust him to do the work?

 

[oldhp]

Use the whatever oil /oil filter to flush engine. Even on a spotless rebuilt engine the oil filter catches all kinds of stuff. Lint, sealer etc.
I would run it at least 500 if not 1K miles. Also if you change to your oil/oil filter and engine leaks(hope not)they might have to drain oil back out to fix. Here we go again...

 

[fxrider]

Run it for 3000 then change it.. no need to waste good oil

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: fxrider
Run it for 3000 then change it.. no need to waste good oil


Agreed

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: fxrider
Run it for 3000 then change it.. no need to waste good oil


Agreed


+1

Millions and millions of engines run hundreds of thousands of miles on nothing but cheap bulk dino oil from quick lube shops. One short OCI of dino isn't going to make a bit of difference in the world to your engine.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: 00Crew

My question is (since I have run 5w30 Mobil 1 since purchasing the truck with 60,000 miles), should I drive it a couple of days on the bulk oil/filter and let it catch any impurities that may be present from the work, and change over to Mobil 1 (or equivalent synthetic on sale) with PureOne. OR should I just run the bulk oil for 2500-3000 miles, then change over to the synthetic?


3000 miles then change.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: fxrider
Run it for 3000 then change it.. no need to waste good oil


Agreed


+1

Millions and millions of engines run hundreds of thousands of miles on nothing but cheap bulk dino oil from quick lube shops. One short OCI of dino isn't going to make a bit of difference in the world to your engine.


My hemi has 260k and until I bought it never had a syn in the sump. Dealer serviced bulk 5w-20,and it runs like a scalded ape,so bulk oil hasn't harmed my engine at all.

 

[fdcg27]

I agree with all of you 3K guys.
3K on bulk conventional won't hurt anything at all.
No sense in throwing new oil away based upon superstition.
Any large debris will be caught by the oil filter or just end up in the bottom of the pan.
Any fine debris will suspend in the oil, for you to drain out after 3K.

 

[00Crew]

Astro14 - I agree that did come out a little bad, and that isn't me NOT trusting the shop, just being anal I guess.

And I am sure the truck had bulk dino oil in it before I purchased, so I will let it run its course for 3,000 miles. I also didn't even think about the fact of possible leaks, might as well let the bulk dino leak if anything does huh?

As always, thanks guys!

 

[default]

I would run it a couple weeks to break the chains in, then change.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: 00Crew
Yes, I was thinking about taking them the oil like I said above, but I would rather witness me, myself, and I putting the oil in

If dont trust them to put your oil in, why would you trust him to work on your car. If he's so crooked that he would steal your oil and give you something else, what kind of corners is he going to cut on engine work?