Not Confident with AC Delco Oil (GM)

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
W

wolf_06

Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
597
Location
Atlantic, Canada
My local GM dealer recommend 13,000 km OCI on AC Delco semi-synthetic.

They had to replace cam shaft on many new Ecotec engines, which I find terrible and scary at the same time.

So it scared the heck out of me, I would really like to stick with the good old 6000km (3500 miles) OCI.

The price of certain synthetic is now almost so close to conventional regular price, Im tempted to do 6000km oil change with any synthetic on sale, and forget about it.

Would this be overkill? or safe?

Thanks!
 
Go for it! Synthetic is what I recommend for anything that requires a Dexos1 compliant oil. I would recommend doing a used oil analysis at 5k and go from there.
 
Overkill. The OLM on the Burb doesn't tell me to change the oil until 4,000+ miles and that is with an OLM that is calibrated for conventional oil. ACDelco semi-syn should be good for the recommended interval, I would assume. And if you go full synthetic, running a 3,500 mile OCI is just a waste of time and money.
 
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Overkill. The OLM on the Burb doesn't tell me to change the oil until 4,000+ miles and that is with an OLM that is calibrated for conventional oil. ACDelco semi-syn should be good for the recommended interval, I would assume. And if you go full synthetic, running a 3,500 mile OCI is just a waste of time and money.


No the OLM is not accurate, mine show 49% at 10,000 km on semi synthetic, its a non sens, plus im a short tripper, not accurate at all, unless you want to ruined your cam shaft
 
Originally Posted By: wolf_06
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Overkill. The OLM on the Burb doesn't tell me to change the oil until 4,000+ miles and that is with an OLM that is calibrated for conventional oil. ACDelco semi-syn should be good for the recommended interval, I would assume. And if you go full synthetic, running a 3,500 mile OCI is just a waste of time and money.


No the OLM is not accurate, mine show 49% at 10,000 km on semi synthetic, its a non sens, plus im a short tripper, not accurate at all, unless you want to ruined your cam shaft
btw its better oil than new engine parts.
 
I have yet to see an AC Delco Dexos UOA that looked good. Just about every over the counter Dexos oil smokes it in used oil analysis. I find it a bit ironic but GM's Dexos is not up to snuff.

Of course there's also the possibility some dealers are using cheap stuff and passing it off as Dexos to make a few extra bucks. When a dealer (or anyone else for that matter) puts it in for you how on earth do you know for sure what you got?

Pennzoils Dexos blend looks like a steal to me maybe try that.
 
I understand your concerns and suggest a balance between that and cost.

1. Use a Dexos1 rated oil.
2. Semisyn Dexos1 go 6,000 kms between oil changes
3. Synthetic Dexos1 go 8,000 kms

Peace of mind is priceless.
 
MY wifes TOYOTA 2azfe cam (2005 rav4) was toast at 50K. If you have SUB with no intermediate roller follower, better augment oil with EP/AW boost every 2K miles - Or Run Motorcycle oil and change every 4-5K.
This issue is more at additive DEPLETEION over time not 800 ppm vs 1200ppm ZDDP, though a critical fall off point will occur faster with the lower concentration. Zddp is a hot intermediate anyway, no good at cold start.

I cant beleieve any Major would make an engine without roller cam followers these days.

A lot of cams may have been impropertly hardened. Is this 1,8L ECOTEC engine assembled in Hungary?
 
Last edited:
i would not believe 95% of the stealers as to what they are putting in. Remember its all about the bottom line on my leased vehicles i dont care they are under warranty but the ones i keep for a long time gets what i believe to be good
 
My friend has an 08 Saturn Astra with the 1.8 4cyl engine. The oil is solid black at 5k miles. Not that color is a tell all. These are the engines that are known to snap timing belts well before the replacement interval. My mechanic friend recommended replacing the timing belt on those every 30k miles. I guess this engine is really a Daewoo engine.

I think he'd be better off going to the Ford dealer for MC syn-blend and a MC filter. I've used this combination in my Toyota Matrix and the oil color is a light to medium honey color at 5k miles. I once went 7500 miles on it and it was a medium honey color.
 
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
My friend has an 08 Saturn Astra with the 1.8 4cyl engine. The oil is solid black at 5k miles. Not that color is a tell all. These are the engines that are known to snap timing belts well before the replacement interval. My mechanic friend recommended replacing the timing belt on those every 30k miles. I guess this engine is really a Daewoo engine.

I think he'd be better off going to the Ford dealer for MC syn-blend and a MC filter. I've used this combination in my Toyota Matrix and the oil color is a light to medium honey color at 5k miles. I once went 7500 miles on it and it was a medium honey color.


Timing belt snap because of laziness of the driver that doesn't do proper maintenance. Same with oil.
 
Originally Posted By: wolf_06
They had to replace cam shaft on many new Ecotec engines, which I find terrible and scary at the same time.

So it scared the heck out of me, I would really like to stick with the good old 6000km (3500 miles) OCI.

Do you want to make a decision based on data or your feelings?

I was only able to find information on the 2.4 Ecotec having camshaft problems (aside from timing belt failures on 1.8 Ecotecs). Is the scary-as-heck camshaft replacements on 2011 1.8s for your model - in other words are the replacements actually relevant to your vehicle?

Originally Posted By: wolf_06
My local GM dealer recommend 13,000 km OCI on AC Delco semi-synthetic.
...
Im tempted to do 6000km oil change with any synthetic on sale, and forget about it.

Would this be overkill? or safe?

Without data (trending used oil analysis) you have no idea.

I would get some data first - take a used oil analysis at 6000 km, 9000 km & 12000 km. See what's going on before you condemn the manufacturer's oil or OCI recommendation for your driving habits.

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
My friend has an 08 Saturn Astra with the 1.8 4cyl engine. The oil is solid black at 5k miles. Not that color is a tell all.
...
I've used this combination in my Toyota Matrix and the oil color is a light to medium honey color at 5k miles. I once went 7500 miles on it and it was a medium honey color.

So, does oil color have anything to do with oil condition or not? (hint: it doesn't)

Oil in my Golf is jet black immediately after I change it, which is perfectly normal. Not having jet black oil is a condition to investigate!
 
Here's a pm he sent me:

Originally Posted By: XXXX
He needs to get the oil pressure checked. Since it's a Daewoo engine, it's probably wiped all the crank bearings by now.

You have NO warning when that belt goes, the stupid plastic idlers self destruct in very quick fashion and BOOOOOOMMM.... End of story.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: wolf_06
My local GM dealer recommend 13,000 km OCI on AC Delco semi-synthetic.

They had to replace cam shaft on many new Ecotec engines, which I find terrible and scary at the same time.

So it scared the heck out of me, I would really like to stick with the good old 6000km (3500 miles) OCI.

The price of certain synthetic is now almost so close to conventional regular price, Im tempted to do 6000km oil change with any synthetic on sale, and forget about it.

Would this be overkill? or safe?

Thanks!


Changing your oil every 3700 miles is overkill if you are using a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil.

GM recommends dexos1 approved oil for their engines. GM gives a 100K mile powertrain warranty so they don't want to be replacing engines.

As far as AC Delco dexos oil, I have no experience with it.

Me personally I would use Mobil 1 (whatever weight the owners manual states) and an AC Delco oil filter. Change it every 6K miles or so and you will NEVER have an engine problem as far as lubrication is concerned.
 
Originally Posted By: scurvy
So, does oil color have anything to do with oil condition or not? (hint: it doesn't)

Oil in my Golf is jet black immediately after I change it, which is perfectly normal. Not having jet black oil is a condition to investigate!


So the oil in your Mazda 3 turns black right away after an oil change then? I know it's normal in diesels, DUH!
 
Originally Posted By: Flareside302
That's cause your golf is a diesel.. Not same ordeal..


My example is to illustrate that "oil color" is a ridiculous metric to judge a lubricant's suitability for continued use. Just like how the engine "feels" on an oil... it's really how you feel about the oil with no factual basis to back it up.

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
So the oil in your Mazda 3 turns black right away after an oil change then? I know it's normal in diesels, DUH!


It's a 5, and no, it changes various shades of amber. Right now it's pretty dark, about the same as Vermont Grade C maple syrup... no idea how it tastes, though.

I don't like wasting money so I change oil slightly before it's necessary (in the Golf) and according to the owner's manual (in the 5). But it's your car and your money, you are absolutely free to do with either as you see fit.

At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with changing the oil because you feel like it as long as you don't attempt to claim otherwise! It's dishonest and disingenuous to personify the engine in an attempt to mask your actual reasons.
 
Wolf_06. I have a 09 Saturn Vue with the 2.4 L ecotec engine
that is still under warranty. The dealers around my area still
want to do 5000 km oil changes with conventional oil. If you use synthetic
(dexos) they say you can stretch it out longer. Myself, I still
like to do 6000 - 7000 km oil changes using Pennzoil Platium or
Valvoline Synpower. I don't trust going longer. It's your car
and you do what you feel is right.
11.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

hardcore302
  • Locked
Dont see much talk about AC Delco oil...
Replies
13
Views
4K
Zee09
N
  • Locked
GM oil or Valvoline full synthetic
Replies
15
Views
10K
SilverFusion2010
T
  • Locked
AC Delco SN 5w-30, 3k, GM 2.4L GDI
Replies
7
Views
2K
Talent_Keyhole
M
  • Locked
DEXRON VI. MOBIL V VALVOLINE V AC DELCO
3 4 5
Replies
81
Views
43K
Nyogtha
W
  • Locked
AC Delco PF1250-15243ES-Used oil filter cut & post
Replies
12
Views
7K
WellOiled
Back
Top Bottom