Pennzoil Euro L in Chevy Express 3500?

C

Clarkbug

Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
111
Location
NY
Hey all.

So, I had posted a thread several months ago about a family member giving us a 2002 Express that's only got around 65k on it. It is an extra vehicle for us, so doesn't get a ton of miles on it, and it sat quite a bit in the last several years. It got an oil change about 12 months ago, so I figured its not a bad idea to go ahead and change it again, especially since what is in there is bulk oil from the dealer.

I see the manual recommends 5w-30 (This is the 5.7L Vortec), and I happened to get in on the deal last year for the Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30 three pack from Amazon on the cheap. So my thought was to use this for the next several changes. Any concerns with this as an oil choice?

Looks like some folks run 10w-30 in these motors all the time. We don't currently do any towing with it, but will fill it with stuff to haul around (wood pellets, children, lumber, other stuff you would put in a pickup truck, etc.).

Appreciate any thoughts on the oil selection!
 
It will run on that oil no problem.

Just stick to any 5w30 and use it. These engines aren’t picky when it comes to oil.

I’ve tried pennzoil euro L 5w30 in my 4.3 vortec, and I did not notice any difference. Engine ran like it was supposed to,

No need to use anything thicker on these engines. There are many that reach over 300k miles, with regular 5w30.

The thing you really should worry about on these engines are the lower intake manifold gaskets. If you replace them every time before they start leaking, your engine will basically run forever. What type of oil to run isn’t really something you should worry about. Any 5w30 and you’re good to go.
 
Clarkbug said:
Hey all.

So, I had posted a thread several months ago about a family member giving us a 2002 Express that's only got around 65k on it. It is an extra vehicle for us, so doesn't get a ton of miles on it, and it sat quite a bit in the last several years. It got an oil change about 12 months ago, so I figured its not a bad idea to go ahead and change it again, especially since what is in there is bulk oil from the dealer.

I see the manual recommends 5w-30 (This is the 5.7L Vortec), and I happened to get in on the deal last year for the Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30 three pack from Amazon on the cheap. So my thought was to use this for the next several changes. Any concerns with this as an oil choice?

Looks like some folks run 10w-30 in these motors all the time. We don't currently do any towing with it, but will fill it with stuff to haul around (wood pellets, children, lumber, other stuff you would put in a pickup truck, etc.).

Appreciate any thoughts on the oil selection!
Click to expand...
Your choice of winter rating is dependent on the starting temperature. Above about 0F an oil with a 10W rating is acceptable. But that Euro L is an excellent choice with several manufacturer approvals. Where are you getting it? All my local Walmarts have discontinued it apparently.
 
Thanks for the response.

I haven't been much of a Chevy/GM person ever, so still learning some about the likes and dislikes. Current struggle is trying to read the transmission fluid level on the absurdly long dipstick. I did a spill and fill to try and get the fluid looking a little cleaner, and now its showing as overfilled, but seems unlikely given the amount I put back in.

Anyway, Ill use the Euro since I already have it (and a jug of M1 5w-30 from probably way too many years ago....) and will get it changed. Probably will only see a couple thousand miles on this fill before next summer anyway, if that.

I have read that those gaskets tend to go bad. Ill need to do a little looking to see how much of a PITA they are to do on a van. I'm pretty sure that they haven't been done yet.
 
kschachn said:
Your choice of winter rating is dependent on the starting temperature. Above about 0F an oil with a 10W rating is acceptable. But that Euro L is an excellent choice with several manufacturer approvals. Where are you getting it? All my local Walmarts have discontinued it apparently.
Click to expand...
I don't usually drive it much in the winter to try and keep the rust at bay, but it does get a little chilly up where I am. Sounds like I can go with a 5 or a 10, so Ill use the one I have which is the 5w-30.

I picked it up from Amazon last year when they had a silly price on a three pack of 5 quarts. I think it was less than $15/jug at that point, would need to check.
 
Euro L was still on the shelf at my local WM last time I walked past, maybe 3 weeks ago.

As kschachn has rightly noted, this oil carries some really good approvals and has performed excellently in almost every vehicle people have posted about using it in. I’d run it without thinking twice.
 
Clarkbug said:
Hey all.

So, I had posted a thread several months ago about a family member giving us a 2002 Express that's only got around 65k on it. It is an extra vehicle for us, so doesn't get a ton of miles on it, and it sat quite a bit in the last several years. It got an oil change about 12 months ago, so I figured its not a bad idea to go ahead and change it again, especially since what is in there is bulk oil from the dealer.

I see the manual recommends 5w-30 (This is the 5.7L Vortec), and I happened to get in on the deal last year for the Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30 three pack from Amazon on the cheap. So my thought was to use this for the next several changes. Any concerns with this as an oil choice?

Looks like some folks run 10w-30 in these motors all the time. We don't currently do any towing with it, but will fill it with stuff to haul around (wood pellets, children, lumber, other stuff you would put in a pickup truck, etc.).

Appreciate any thoughts on the oil selection!
Click to expand...
Euro L will be better than any 10W30 you can get.
It is almost 5W40 oil (12.2cst), HTHS is around 3.65 (higher than some 0/5W40 oils), it will have a stronger additive pack.
This is not your regular off the shelf 5W30.
 
edyvw said:
Euro L will be better than any 10W30 you can get.
It is almost 5W40 oil (12.2cst), HTHS is around 3.65 (higher than some 0/5W40 oils), it will have a stronger additive pack.
This is not your regular off the shelf 5W30.
Click to expand...
I hope to see Eurotopia one day - but on the 5th - I just fly back to the EU …
 
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