Mother with short trips.

[RamFan]

Ok gang,I'm about to go back to GTMO and as usual I'll do my mom's 6 month oil change. Vehicle is an '08 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with the 2.7l V6. I've been reading some more of Bill_in_Utah's posts and they've been picking at my thinking of what is best for this situation. Below is her driving habit.

2 miles to work, 1.5 miles to an office, 1.5 miles back to her office, .5-2 miles to get food, .5-2 miles to get back to her office, possibly a trip to the store .5 miles, finally back home for the day 2-2.5 miles. This happens between 8am-9pm on average.

* 8-12 miles a day
* 1,440-2,160 miles every 6 months
* Temps are between 70-110 degrees throughout the year

I have been using synthetic for her since they typically have larger add packs and a higher TBN which should help combat the acid and condensation build up. I was going to take a sample after this next OCI and see if I could stretch it out for a year and save a little extra money. Bill however often talks about how he wants to get the contaminants out of the engine as often as possible which is why he wouldn't try to push an OCI for short trippers.

Which of the following options would you take-

1) Do I continue with synthetic for another 6 month interval, do an analysis on her next oil change and see if I can extend?

2) Use synthetic for 6 months max?

3) Use conventional for 6 month max?

4) Use conventional for another 6 month interval, do an analysis on her next oil change and see if I can extend?

 

[FL_Rob]

Option# 2

 

[dja4260]

I went to EIU and have visited SIU a few times.

I'd stick to the synthetic w/ 6 months intervals. the 2.7 isn't a good engine by any means and has sludge issues. I just sold a 98 sebring convertible with only 67k. It was literally falling apart.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
I went to EIU and have visited SIU a few times.

I'd stick to the synthetic w/ 6 months intervals. the 2.7 isn't a good engine by any means and has sludge issues. I just sold a 98 sebring convertible with only 67k. It was literally falling apart.


The sludge issues were fixed in '02 or somewhere around there for the 2.7l. It had some major changes done to it and it is a decent engine now, however I am extremely happy that the new Pentastar has replaced most other of the V6 options. Even though it is decent, I'm not impressed with it, it is adequate but for an engine that is merely adequate in the performance department it should at least have better gas mileage. Which it does not.

 

[needsducktape]

+1

That engine is notorious.

If you have a chance to take a peak inside do it- There are a few websites dedicated to the sludge 2.7 issue
...and Chrysler's customer service.

 

[geissjr]

Synthetic every six months. Good luck.

 

[tomcat27]

I beg to differ about "the sludge issues were fixed in 02". Yes, they added a heater (using engine coolant) to the PCV system in an attempt to fix the problem - yet we still see a high incidence of sludge/failure in 02 and subsequent years. My 02 gets nothing but Amsoil - which I change every 4-5k miles or 2X annually.

 

[HTSS_TR]

The lightest/thinnest conventional xW20 every 6 months.

 

[JHZR2]

My mother does 5 block trips routinely. Her car gets used sometimes for 150 mile weekend trips, but most use is these 5-block short routes.

We found that running syn at the non-severe service interval was sound per UOA results. That's what I'd do.

 

[Pesca]

RamFan,

I have the same routine than your mom with the car in my signature.
For the last two years, I have done one year OCI, the first one with PP(4400 miles), the second one with Synpower(4200 miles).

On both I did used oil analysis on the oil: After one year OCI, TBN was respectively 8.96 and 3.67. Fuel dilution was a bit high at 1.2% and 1.6%. Nitration started to be on the high side at 24 and 21 respectively, that is why I won't extend the OCIs more than one year.

But one year OCI on synthetic oil and severe routine is feasible, I have 2 used oil analysis to prove it.

As HTSS_TR wrote, even if my car is recommended with 5w30, next time I will use an 5W-20 instead (Formula1 Syn from CT = Formula Shell syn that I got on sale few years ago), as I drive easily, don't tow and use low revs everytime.
As for now, I have an old jug of Castrol Syntec in the car which is one of the lightest 5w30 you can find.

 

[addyguy]

Synthetic on six month changes. I wouldn't trust the 2.7 not to have problems on convetional with all short trips.

If had to choose a brand, it would be M1 - 'I' feel it handles heat the best, and still flows well. JMO.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I beg to differ about "the sludge issues were fixed in 02". Yes, they added a heater (using engine coolant) to the PCV system in an attempt to fix the problem - yet we still see a high incidence of sludge/failure in 02 and subsequent years. My 02 gets nothing but Amsoil - which I change every 4-5k miles or 2X annually.


Do you have any written/photographic proof that the problem still exists? Who is 'we', in your statement?

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: FL_Rob
Option# 2

This.

 

[buickman50401]

I wonder, if an HDEO syn or semi syn like T6 or T5 might be better in this case. Higher TBN to take care of the moisture/fuel dilution issues?

 

[ridgerunner]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The lightest/thinnest conventional xW20 every 6 months.


X2 try using Motocraft 5W20. Cheap at Walmart and is a synthetic blend to boot.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: buickman50401
I wonder, if an HDEO syn or semi syn like T6 or T5 might be better in this case. Higher TBN to take care of the moisture/fuel dilution issues?


I think T5 would be a great fit for something like this however the vehicle's spec is 5w20 and in GTMO T5 isn't available, if I remember correctly the only Diesel oil they have is T3 and Delo.