oil weight.

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I have a high mileage gmc safari '04 pushrod v6 that calls for 5w30. It has 172k miles and i'm going to switch to valvoline high mileage semi-synthetic 10w30. I'm wondering if it would be beneficial to upgrade to a 40 weight oil due to the high miles? I know the clearances get larger over the miles. I was just thinking a 40w oil would take up some of the slack. I also am starting to get a couple of seconds of lifter tap at cold startup. Thanks for the input.
 
It burned about a half a quart over 1500 miles. Maybe its not in that bad of shape to warrant 40 weight. I am going to switch to high mileage though since its $13 for 5 qts at kmart.
 
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These engines are mechanically nearly indestructible. I'd say put a quality 10w-40 or 5w-40 High Mileage oil or maybe Rotella T5 10w-40 or Rotella T6 5w-40.

We have a work truck with that same engine in it, and it has seen some very, very severe neglect and runs like an absolute charm.

Even still I wouldn't be concerned putting 5w30 in it. High mileage might be a good idea, though. Maxlife is a great High Mileage oil.
 
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Originally Posted By: justinf89
I also am starting to get a couple of seconds of lifter tap at cold startup


I am thinking a thicker oil will make this situation worse, it sounds like you have some junk in your lifters, maybe try an oil like Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra that has some CLEANING ABILITIES.
 
Maybe a 40wt oil with some MMO in it to water it down to a solid 30 wt and the MMO might clean out the junk in the lifters.

I would say Rotella or High Mileage 40wt with MMO.

Thoughts C3PO?
 
MMO = Marvel Mystery Oil. Good stuff you can use in the tank of gas and some on here have used it as a clean up agent in the oil.

I wouldn't use more that 1 quart of the stuff as substitution for a quart of oil...

Should clean the junk out of your lifters.
 
The HM not a bad idea but the 40w is totally not needed, i run 0w30,5w30 in my 234,000 mile 5.7.

leave the 40w on the shelf...
 
I agree, but recommended the 40wt if he uses the MMO with it as the MMO will dilute the oil because the MMO is like water.

With the high mileage and use of conventional oil in the past most likely there is some slight buildup in the lifters that the MMO might be able to flush out.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Maybe a 40wt oil with some MMO in it to water it down to a solid 30 wt and the MMO might clean out the junk in the lifters.

I would say Rotella or High Mileage 40wt with MMO.

Thoughts C3PO?


I am thinking since he only has the noise for a few seconds from his lifters on startup that they may not be that bad, if he had the lifter noise when the car was warmed up then I would definetly say its worth giving MMO a try.

I would try Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra 1st, I am sure that the Rotella has some cleaning abilities also.

I guess the question we need to ask the OP is, how fast do you want to see results, its safe to say that adding MMO may give some faster results, while Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra by itself would probably take an OCI to clear up the lifters.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I agree, but recommended the 40wt if he uses the MMO with it as the MMO will dilute the oil because the MMO is like water.

Yea i agree..
 
C3PO:

I missed that is was only on start-up. In that case I would reccomend a good quality 30wt oil like Pennzoil conventional or Pennzoil Platinum which will do the cleaning necessary.

High Mileage oil is really marketing with a slightly stronger additive package. Better to get a synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum on sale if you want a really good cleaning oil.

If the noise still happens try a quality filter or have the valves adjusted. (High mileage will send them out of adjustment)

Otherwise don't worry about it, I would only worry if it were constant.
 
Originally Posted By: justinf89
I have a high mileage gmc safari '04 pushrod v6 that calls for 5w30. It has 172k miles and i'm going to switch to valvoline high mileage semi-synthetic 10w30. I'm wondering if it would be beneficial to upgrade to a 40 weight oil due to the high miles? I know the clearances get larger over the miles. I was just thinking a 40w oil would take up some of the slack. I also am starting to get a couple of seconds of lifter tap at cold startup. Thanks for the input.
Unless you are starting to have an increase in oil consumption use the same viscosity of oil. Sometimes changing something if there is no reason for change is not prudent.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC

High Mileage oil is really marketing with a slightly stronger additive package.

Not really,the "stronger additive package" IS the High Mileage formula and add into the mix more esters for seal conditioning.

i wouldnt say it's ALL marketing.
cheers3.gif
 
Read my post again... I said it's really marketing, and not all marketing.

And it is just a slightly stronger additive package

Nothing exceptional about it for the price... I have seen better results with an off the shelf synthetic.

I tear lots of engines apart.
grin2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: StevieC

High Mileage oil is really marketing with a slightly stronger additive package.

Not really,the "stronger additive package" IS the High Mileage formula and add into the mix more esters for seal conditioning.

i wouldnt say it's ALL marketing.
cheers3.gif

Or most likley cheaper chemicals that soften the seals.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
C3PO:

I missed that is was only on start-up. In that case I would reccomend a good quality 30wt oil like Pennzoil conventional or Pennzoil Platinum which will do the cleaning necessary.

High Mileage oil is really marketing with a slightly stronger additive package. Better to get a synthetic like Pennzoil Platinum on sale if you want a really good cleaning oil.

If the noise still happens try a quality filter or have the valves adjusted. (High mileage will send them out of adjustment)

Otherwise don't worry about it, I would only worry if it were constant.



I think we are on the same page here.

Originally Posted By: justinf87
It burned half a quart over 1500 miles


I would check your PCV Valve as well as your PCV Hoses and your Breather in the Valvecover.

Pennzoil Ultra has been shown to clean up the Ring Packs.
 
The esters are a 3 for 1. They soften seals, help them to swell slightly and clean.

The problem is there isn't much ester content in High Mileage oils, but you could get Redline and it's all Ester and does a really great job cleaning.
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Read my post again... I said it's really marketing, and not all marketing.

And it is just a slightly stronger additive package

Nothing exceptional about it for the price... I have seen better results with an off the shelf synthetic.

I didnt see "not all" in your post?

SM vs SL(Mobil 1 High Mileage) is more then slightly stronger IMO

prices usally are not that much different,the price is exacly the same right now(M1)
 
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