New old truck -- New oil?

[hublocker]

Hello everybody,

I am new here. This is my first post.

I just got a 1995 Nissan 4x4 pickup with 158,000 kms on it. It's got a 3 litre V6 in it.

I had my mechanic do a tune up and the first oil change for me on it, but after only 1,000 kms, the oil is dark and smells old.

I wonder if I should change it again. Perhaps the previous owner didn't do too many changes and the change washed out some gunk that needs dumping.

My mechanic, who is a Nissan owner/specialist, put 5-30 oil in it.

In my previous truck, a Nissan 720 4x4, I always used Fram filters and Quaker State oil.

Does that sound like a good thing to continue doing?

What would be a better filter and oil available in Canada?

I have a buddy who recomends Amzoil and says you don't have to do frequent oil changes with it. Is that true? I have always gone by the change every 5,000 km rule (3,000 miles).

By the way, how much oil does the 3 litre take in an oil change anyway?

Thank you for your assistance.

HL

 

[pitzel]

Better oil = Esso XD-3 0W30 full synthetic. Costs about $15 for a 4L jug at an Esso bulk dealer, must buy a case. This oil is a very high detergency oil and should clean stuff out. XD-3 is a high-detergent diesel oil, and is also available in dino (non-synth) 5w30 and 10w30 grades under the "Presidents Choice" brand name for under $2/L.

Filter-wise, FRAMs are not the end of the world, but most here consider them poor value for money. NAPA Gold (Wix)'s are said to be pretty good overall.

If you are worried about sludge and want a specialized cleaner, there is a product known as Auto-RX which is very well recommended by site members. You mix it with non-synthetic oil, run for a few thousand km, and then change oil. Other alternatives include Esso/Exxon System Cleaner which works in much the same way.

I think a few abbreviated interval oil changes with a cheap high-detergency oil would be just fine in terms of cleaning stuff up. Maybe do 3 4000km oil changes with Presidents Choice 5w30 motor oil, and then switch to longer drains with the full synthetic Esso 0W30 XD-3 from a bulk dealer? That is what I would do, given the exhorbiant cost and difficulty of importing a product such as Auto-RX.

 

[Reg# 43897]

Pitzel,

You sound like you know what you are talking about. Just poured a change of 0w-40 XD-3 (plus some GC) into my 318 Dakota this evening. Looking forward to seeing how it works! As regards Auto-RX, I take it that something like that is not available here? Does one order it in from America?

John.

 

[pitzel]

quote:

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Originally posted by Reg# 43897:
Pitzel,

You sound like you know what you are talking

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Appearances can be deceiving

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

quote:

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about. Just poured a change of 0w-40 XD-3 (plus some GC) into my 318 Dakota this evening. Looking forward to seeing how it works! As regards Auto-RX, I take it that something like that is not available here? Does one order it in from America?

John.

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Auto-RX is at least USD$20-$30/bottle shipped to Canada. www.auto-rx.com .

As for the original posters' Amsoil question, many different brands of synthetic oils are suitable for drain intervals longer than what is specifically specified in your owners manual. The raison d'etre of this site is to discuss some of the issues relating to extended drains, marketing claims, and to share, compare, and comment upon specific Used Oil Analysis (UOA) laboratory results. Amsoil is the only company that has publically marketed their oil as being suitable for longer drains, but in most cases, Mobil 1/Delvac1, XD-3, German Castrol, etc. at least meet if not exceed the capability of Amsoil.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

Congratulations on purchasing such a fine vehicle that SHOULD have many more miles left in it.

I'm thinking this might be a good candidate for Rotella T 5W-40. You can see a used oil analysis on this oil/engine combo here:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001777#000000

As for the ARX, it certainly won't hurt anything. Have you noticed yet if the engine burns or leaks any oil?

Also, if you don't mind my asking, is your truck a manual or automatic transmission?

 

[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by HardbodyLoyalist:
Congratulations on purchasing such a fine vehicle that SHOULD have many more miles left in it.

I'm thinking this might be a good candidate for Rotella T 5W-40. You can see a used oil analysis on this oil/engine combo here:

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We don't have Rotella 5w40 synthetic in Canada, but we do get a Rotella 0w40 synthetic here that you guys in the US don't get.

 

[vtmecheng]

Why is it everyone here likes Auto-RX? Untill I started on this website it was an unknown product to me. On the other hand, I know more then a dozen mechanics (including some master mechanics) that say the best stuff is Marvel Mystery Oil. They say that while it has been around for decades the stuff works amazingly well on an engine that doesn't leak. Just drop half a quart in 500-800 miles before your oil change and your done, oh and its better to do in the winter because it thins the oil a bit. Does anyone have negative feedback on this stuff?

 

[Blue99]

quote:

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Why is it everyone here likes Auto-RX? ..I know more then a dozen mechanics...that say the best stuff is Marvel Mystery Oil.

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vtmecheng - Not being rude, but head over to the Additives, Gas, Cleaners forum & search on Marvel Mystery Oil and do some reading. This topic comes up at least every other month.

MMO is solvent based, mainly mineral spirits & naptha, and thins oil similar to fuel dilution.

An Auto-RX ester treatment will remove varnish & resinous deposits that normal MMO treat rates can't touch.

 

[JAYCEE]

quote:

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Originally posted by vtmecheng:
Why is it everyone here likes Auto-RX? Untill I started on this website it was an unknown product to me. On the other hand, I know more then a dozen mechanics (including some master mechanics) that say the best stuff is Marvel Mystery Oil. They say that while it has been around for decades the stuff works amazingly well on an engine that doesn't leak. Just drop half a quart in 500-800 miles before your oil change and your done, oh and its better to do in the winter because it thins the oil a bit. Does anyone have negative feedback on this stuff?

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I had never heard of ARX until I read about it here either. The bottom line seems to be: If your vehicle has over 100,000 miles, it needs Auto-rx.

I first tried it in a ~180k mi toyota pick-up. After just 500 mi (of a 1500mi treatment), fuel economy went way up and engine noise went way down. I am ~500 miles into my first rinse on my 3 old pick-ups. This stuff pays for itself in fuel economy alone. You can actually hear that the engine runs smoother. I have it in the Power steering pumps, differentials, and transmissions.

Auto-RX works and you will not be disappointed, especially on a high-milage vehicle.