options for low mileage older car?

[spasm3]

I just acquired a 93 olds ciera 3.3 v6 with only 34,000 miles.
It had been sitting 3 years with out running so it took some mmo soaking of the cylinders and turning over by hand to get it to start. i did a 50mile oil run with mmo. The guestion is what is the best oil to run in it? i was concerned about 17 year old seals so i used mobil 10w 30 high mileage. Any better ideas? so far at 500 miles it has not used any oil.

thanks bryan

 

[Mr Nice]

I would use any brand 5w30 dino

 

[spasm3]

i used mobil 1 high mileage syn in it.

 

[eljefino]

I had a 92. Great motor! If it hasn't leaked yet it's not likely to, but the HM oil is still a good idea.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My best friend had an `86 (3.0 V6,carburated)and he always used whatever dino 10W40 was on sale. Had in the 200,000 mile range on it. Ran perfectly,but unfortunately got stolen and wrecked.

 

[JHZR2]

a high mileage oil might be a good option to condition the seals, but the main question is if it leaks. Does it? If not, you can get by with any conventional and/or syn, depending upon usage.

I would verify if this engine needs to be concerned with intake manifold gasket leakage. If so, check or proactively replace.

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
I just acquired a 93 olds ciera 3.3 v6 with only 34,000 miles.
It had been sitting 3 years with out running so it took some mmo soaking of the cylinders and turning over by hand to get it to start. i did a 50mile oil run with mmo.


That 3.3 was a pretty peppy little motor IIRC. At 17 years old, very low mileage, some non-running time in there, I think I'd run with a 10W-30 HDEO for a short run, maybe 1000-2000 miles to clean out any varnish-ey stuff, rust particles, built-up acidic components, etc., then switch to a dino high mileage formulation in 5W-30 for 5000-6000 mile OCIs. The transmissions in those were prone to a few issues, so make sure the ATF is good quality, fresh Dexron-III (I think) and the filter and magnet are clean. Running a double dose of a PEA-based injector cleaner in the first few tanks of gas should help dissolve and clean out varnish deposits. Change out the PCV valve and make sure the throttle bore and blade are both clean. Definitely change that coolant if it hasn't been done yet.

 

[crazyoildude]

Change the oil and filter 1 more time and use the high mileage sm rated oil put some marvel in the gas and drive it... Change the trans fluid and filter i use hm dexron 3 also change the power steering and flush the brake system with new fluid make sure there is not too much rust in important places and just drive it for 200,000 miles or so,,, Those are good engines quick too... Also dont forget the coolant just change it i would not flush it... Fuel injection cleaner on the next fill up after the marvel..

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: J. A. Rizzo
Originally Posted By: spasm3
I just acquired a 93 olds ciera 3.3 v6 with only 34,000 miles.
It had been sitting 3 years with out running so it took some mmo soaking of the cylinders and turning over by hand to get it to start. i did a 50mile oil run with mmo.


That 3.3 was a pretty peppy little motor IIRC. At 17 years old, very low mileage, some non-running time in there, I think I'd run with a 10W-30 HDEO for a short run, maybe 1000-2000 miles to clean out any varnish-ey stuff, rust particles, built-up acidic components, etc., then switch to a dino high mileage formulation in 5W-30 for 5000-6000 mile OCIs. The transmissions in those were prone to a few issues, so make sure the ATF is good quality, fresh Dexron-III (I think) and the filter and magnet are clean. Running a double dose of a PEA-based injector cleaner in the first few tanks of gas should help dissolve and clean out varnish deposits. Change out the PCV valve and make sure the throttle bore and blade are both clean. Definitely change that coolant if it hasn't been done yet.


Good advice here.

 

[Nickdfresh]

Mobil 1 High Mileage also claims it can clean...

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: J. A. Rizzo
Originally Posted By: spasm3
I just acquired a 93 olds ciera 3.3 v6 with only 34,000 miles.
It had been sitting 3 years with out running so it took some mmo soaking of the cylinders and turning over by hand to get it to start. i did a 50mile oil run with mmo.


That 3.3 was a pretty peppy little motor IIRC. At 17 years old, very low mileage, some non-running time in there, I think I'd run with a 10W-30 HDEO for a short run, maybe 1000-2000 miles to clean out any varnish-ey stuff, rust particles, built-up acidic components, etc., then switch to a dino high mileage formulation in 5W-30 for 5000-6000 mile OCIs. The transmissions in those were prone to a few issues, so make sure the ATF is good quality, fresh Dexron-III (I think) and the filter and magnet are clean. Running a double dose of a PEA-based injector cleaner in the first few tanks of gas should help dissolve and clean out varnish deposits. Change out the PCV valve and make sure the throttle bore and blade are both clean. Definitely change that coolant if it hasn't been done yet.


Good advice here.


Thank you for that. I forgot the brake fluid, which was mentioned by crazyoildude after me. That's a critical one, especially after sitting that long. P/S is also important, but at this point any damage is probably already done to the seals and new fluid should probably be high mileage also to try and keep the seals intact as long as possible. Also already mentioned was the coolant drain and refill rather than a flush, for cost savings and to keep the head gaskets intact and radiator clean. I had one of those cars and the 3.3 was a fun, zippy motor. Not sure why they quit making that one. Wish I had it back! Enjoy the drive...

 

[Airycat]

I have a '54 and a '55 Buick that both have the original unrestored engines. I am now using 10W-30 Valvoline conventional motor oil. I am wondering if a synthetic or a synthetic blend oil would be a better oil for these engines?
The engines have low miles and run excellent with no oil burning.

 

[ac_tc]

Originally Posted By: Airycat
I have a '54 and a '55 Buick that both have the original unrestored engines. I am now using 10W-30 Valvoline conventional motor oil. I am wondering if a synthetic or a synthetic blend oil would be a better oil for these engines?
The engines have low miles and run excellent with no oil burning.


HDEO, any one of em.