Next OCI for 2.2l Ecotec

[[email protected]]

I have 2000 miles on this OCI of Super tech syn 5w30 and plan on changing it at 3000 miles. I just bought the car in December and this is what Im considering its 'flush'..lol.

Im in Michigan so its cold. The car has 106,000 miles and IS one of the ecotecs in the era of bad timing chains/bad tensioners/bad oilers. I dont know the history of the engine. Saturn is closed obviously, I went to my local Chevy shop and got a service history but its all in codes (apparently it wasnt the same codes Chevy uses and I cant decipher all of the repairs that were done to the car). The car presently burns no oil at all and makes absolutely no timing chain rattle (or any other engine noise) when started, cold or hot.

With that being said....

Im thinking of switching to Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 for the winter months with a Pure-one oil filter. I want to hear your opinions on this. I was thinking the 0w30 Mobil 1 would be good because 1.) easy flowability for cold starts and 2.) easy flow to the timing chain and less chance the oiler will get clogged, or if it does clog partially, better chance the oil will get through to the timing chain still.

My other choice was to use Synpower 5w30 or maybe even a 5w20 with the Pure-one oil filter.

What would you use given the circumstances?

 

[JustinH]

For my 03 saturn ion, I was considering a run with the new SN 5w20 Motorcraft oil. $11.50 per jug at walmart.

Mine doesn't leak or make noise, just a little startup rattle.

Current fill is peak 5w30 and delco filter.

 

[mpvue]

I had a '02 L200 also, but it was a lease and I got rid of it before the chain failed.
perhaps a more frequent OCI than the OLM indicates might serve you well.
I wonder though, are you not able to get the saturn recall done? are no other GM dealers covering this anymore?

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
I had a '02 L200 also, but it was a lease and I got rid of it before the chain failed.
perhaps a more frequent OCI than the OLM indicates might serve you well.
I wonder though, are you not able to get the saturn recall done? are no other GM dealers covering this anymore?


Mine does not fall between the VIN for the recalled timing chains. Bummer huh?

For all I know, it could've been replaced before already. I mean according to carfax, its had 2 other owners and the service report from the Chevy store showed a lot of warranty work.

I never follow the OLM anyways on either of my vehicles. My Envoy has the driver info center, and I change the oil at 40% oil life left, regardless. Because of the timing chain issues on this car, I probably wont run it past 4000 miles but I do want a stout synthetic in there so the oiler injector stays clean for the timing chain and oil gets to the chain asap upon cold startup, and all of the time in general.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
For my 03 saturn ion, I was considering a run with the new SN 5w20 Motorcraft oil. $11.50 per jug at walmart.

Mine doesn't leak or make noise, just a little startup rattle.

Current fill is peak 5w30 and delco filter.


Whoa... thats a nice price for Motorcraft SN rated oil!! I might just stock up on that....

 

[addyguy]

Don't waste oil - run your current fill to at least 5k, it will easily do it. Ecotecs are VERY easy on oil, so you won't have any issues with it....

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 would be a great choice to cover all bases - excellent cold properties, good stout syn to handle regular intervals.

 

[daman]

I agree the AFE is a great choice in cold temps. Or all year around like i do.

 

[MrMeeks]

My choice is a 5w-20 petro. based oil with a napa or puro. standard filter.The standard filters don't clog up as easily.The 5w-20 is for cool weather only.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Don't waste oil - run your current fill to at least 5k, it will easily do it. Ecotecs are VERY easy on oil, so you won't have any issues with it....

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 would be a great choice to cover all bases - excellent cold properties, good stout syn to handle regular intervals.


Wahhhhhhhhh!!!! But I wannna!!!! ((sobbing uncontrollably))

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
For my 03 saturn ion, I was considering a run with the new SN 5w20 Motorcraft oil. $11.50 per jug at walmart.

Mine doesn't leak or make noise, just a little startup rattle.

Current fill is peak 5w30 and delco filter.


MC semi-syn 5w20 is up to $14.50 for the 5 qt. jug at Walmarts near me.
It was a great deal at $11.50 but at $14.50 it's just OK.
The SN Mobil 5000 (now in a dark grey jug and called SUPER) is still $11.50 and is an excellent oil and a great deal.

 

[KW]

You should be able to run the Mobil 1 0W30 year round in your 2.2 Ecotech.

 

[AMC]

I used to run all the synthetics in my ecotec. M1, Syntec, Synpower, ect. I started doing more research on oil and then found BITOG and switched to regular conventional oil. I haven't noticed a difference in anything at all, fuel economy, power, cold starts, nothing. It is all the same. The only difference I ever noticed with anything was that when I run 10w30 in the summer the engine does seem smoother and more quiet during high RPM, mostly at highway speeds.
I would stick to the factory recommended 5w30 or 10w30. 5w30 should be plenty thin for your climate. Personally, I am not sold on the idea of 0w30 yet.
Anyways, long story short, if you are going to run synthetic I would recommend you let price be your guide, try to get the oils you want to try when they are on sale. Don't beat yourself up about it, you or your car will probably not noticing any difference in anything.
As for oil filters, So far I have tried fram orange box, fram tough guard, Napa Gold (currently in use). The fram orange box I noticed the filter element starting to stretch like it was going to tear if I went much longer. All the others, I saw no real difference. The Napa gold did have a sloppy glue job and seemed to fit a little loosely in the engine but is giving me no problems. I have also checked out unused Purolator Pure one and Hengst made AC delco which both looked great. I am going to try the pureone next. My recommendation on filters would be to visit several different auto parts stores and compare the oil filters yourself to see which one you think looks the best.
Good luck with your car. It should be a good little beater for you!

 

[[email protected]]

Ok... Im sick just like the rest of you!!

I was going to put Motorcraft semi-syn in my next oil change, taking the advice of some BITOG'ers that the Ecotec is really easy on oil and stuff.

I went to Walmart today to get a hepa filter, came out with said filters AND a 5 quart jug of Quaker State Synthetic 5w30. ((smacks self on forehead))

LOL..I said I wouldnt do it... that is, not buy any oil today seeing Im 1500 miles shy of an oil change. But it was the last 5qt jug of Quaker State Synthetic, and it was only $19. Compared to 5 quarts of MC semi-syn ($3.27qt x 5 quarts), I figured for $2.60 more, Im going for the Quaker State Synthetic!!

On a seperate note, I went to kmart earlier to put an SLR camera in layaway, ended up walking out with 2 Pureone 15436 filters ((again, smacks self on forehead))

I HAVE THE SICKNESS!!