Looking at buying a 199/2000 Malibu (3100 V6)with 190k just for a beater car. It will be my daughters car to drive 2.5 miles to school and back. Not expecting a lot from this car, but if the engine could benefit by a good cleaning oil, why not? I have some Pennz Ultra 5w/20 that I picked up for $3/qt, so cost is negligible. Otherwise I would use PYB 5qt from Wally World. I have the PU in stock.
PYB or PU for cleaning.
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I wouldn't use 5W-20 in that motor. Im sure others will claim it wont hurt anything. JMO
PU or PP would clean better than PYB.
5W30 PYB would work well... can even add a little MMO if you are so inclined.
Just found out that the previous owner purchased it with about 65k on the odometer. It was his work car, which was driven about 50 highway miles one way every day. He just put a new water pump in it. He purchased it in 2004. So yearly mileage was about 16k-17k per year.
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Originally Posted By: otis24
Just found out that the previous owner purchased it with about 65k on the odometer. It was his work car, which was driven about 50 highway miles one way every day. He just put a new water pump in it. He purchased it in 2004. So yearly mileage was about 16k-17k per year.
What was his OCI? With highway miles you may not need to worry about cleaning if the interval was short enough.
Just found out that the previous owner purchased it with about 65k on the odometer. It was his work car, which was driven about 50 highway miles one way every day. He just put a new water pump in it. He purchased it in 2004. So yearly mileage was about 16k-17k per year.
What was his OCI? With highway miles you may not need to worry about cleaning if the interval was short enough.
The best thing to do is keep manageable OCI's going forward. I would use the MS5k which is one of the best conventional's and the cheapest major. If the car is driven as you say do 3-4month OCI's. Use up your stash but I would save the PU for another vehicle, one that you care about.
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I had a buick with the 3.1 you should be able too look down the ole inspection hole(oil fill hole) and get a decent idea how varnished/sludgy the engine is. I ran mine on Quaker state oil @5k or longer intervals (walmart oil change) and topped off with super tech oil. I got rid of the car @ 188k miles with the engine still runnig strong, the only reason I got rid of it is because the lower intake gaskets were leaking coolant and oil like crazy, and I couldn't justify fixing it. If it were mine I'd run pyb and follow the olm if it has one
Which brings me to another point, if the lower intake manifold gaskets have never been replaced keep a close eye on them and the antifreeze level..
Which brings me to another point, if the lower intake manifold gaskets have never been replaced keep a close eye on them and the antifreeze level..
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PU is higher in detergents but cleaning existing grime with any oil will be slow going at best. Doesn't sound like you're sure it's actually dirty though?
Not a 5w20 engine but if you must the cold winter months would be the time to do it.
FWIW I have had the Barr's liquid copper fix two of these intake manifold gaskets for me. If it has a bad gasket or it's been bad in it's past (likely) theres a good chance it is indeed grundgy in there.
Not a 5w20 engine but if you must the cold winter months would be the time to do it.
FWIW I have had the Barr's liquid copper fix two of these intake manifold gaskets for me. If it has a bad gasket or it's been bad in it's past (likely) theres a good chance it is indeed grundgy in there.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
I wouldn't use 5W-20 in that motor. Im sure others will claim it wont hurt anything.
If it really is just 2.5 miles per trip in an upcoming South Dakota winter, it would be just fine. But, such trips aren't exactly conducive to cleaning in the first place.
I wouldn't use 5W-20 in that motor. Im sure others will claim it wont hurt anything.
If it really is just 2.5 miles per trip in an upcoming South Dakota winter, it would be just fine. But, such trips aren't exactly conducive to cleaning in the first place.
It's a BEATER for gosh sakes , put any cheap 5W30 in it and call it a day .
Originally Posted By: toneydoc
For a South Dakota winter, I would find some decent mobil super 0w20 and run it for the cold months. Not too expensive and good on cold starts. Another choice is quaker state ultimate durability
The only mobil super 0w20 is super synthetic and the only places you can get that are auto parts stores. You can buy a jug of M1 0w20 cheaper at walmart.
For a South Dakota winter, I would find some decent mobil super 0w20 and run it for the cold months. Not too expensive and good on cold starts. Another choice is quaker state ultimate durability
The only mobil super 0w20 is super synthetic and the only places you can get that are auto parts stores. You can buy a jug of M1 0w20 cheaper at walmart.
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I bought some Mobil Super Synthetic 0w-20 from Fred Meyer, a variety superstore owned by Kroger.
MrQuackers
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Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
I bought some Mobil Super Synthetic 0w-20 from Fred Meyer, a variety superstore owned by Kroger.
We don't have those around here. How much was it?
It is currently on sale for $3.69 per quart and I mailed in a Mobil Super rebate for $7 off 5 quarts X 2 for $14 off 10 quarts.
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
I bought some Mobil Super Synthetic 0w-20 from Fred Meyer, a variety superstore owned by Kroger.
We don't have those around here. How much was it?
It is currently on sale for $3.69 per quart and I mailed in a Mobil Super rebate for $7 off 5 quarts X 2 for $14 off 10 quarts.
Originally Posted By: nitehawk55
It's a BEATER for gosh sakes , put any cheap 5W30 in it and call it a day .
Granted, Pennz Ultra is probably overkill. But even a beater car can benefit from a little TLC and save you money in the long run. Simple things like changing the PVC valve, new spark plugs, and new filters can improve the performance of even a beater car.
Capacity is 4.5 quarts. Will probably run Mobil Super or PYB and a half quart of MMO.
It's a BEATER for gosh sakes , put any cheap 5W30 in it and call it a day .
Granted, Pennz Ultra is probably overkill. But even a beater car can benefit from a little TLC and save you money in the long run. Simple things like changing the PVC valve, new spark plugs, and new filters can improve the performance of even a beater car.
Capacity is 4.5 quarts. Will probably run Mobil Super or PYB and a half quart of MMO.
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
I bought some Mobil Super Synthetic 0w-20 from Fred Meyer, a variety superstore owned by Kroger.
We don't have those around here. How much was it?
It is currently on sale for $3.69 per quart and I mailed in a Mobil Super rebate for $7 off 5 quarts X 2 for $14 off 10 quarts.
Thats pretty darn good! Around the only places that have it is AAP, Oriellys, and Autozone. on sale they want $25/jug!!
Originally Posted By: volk06
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
I bought some Mobil Super Synthetic 0w-20 from Fred Meyer, a variety superstore owned by Kroger.
We don't have those around here. How much was it?
It is currently on sale for $3.69 per quart and I mailed in a Mobil Super rebate for $7 off 5 quarts X 2 for $14 off 10 quarts.
Thats pretty darn good! Around the only places that have it is AAP, Oriellys, and Autozone. on sale they want $25/jug!!
Do you think the engine is that dirty it needs cleaning or just assuming because it's an older car you should be concerned .
It is far better just to leave older high mileage cars alone . Dumping cleaners and the like in them can cause other problems far worse then the little bit of crud this engine might have in it .
As I posted before , I would suggest you just use a decent oil and leave it be .
It is far better just to leave older high mileage cars alone . Dumping cleaners and the like in them can cause other problems far worse then the little bit of crud this engine might have in it .
As I posted before , I would suggest you just use a decent oil and leave it be .
It seems pretty heavily varnished, if nothing else.
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