Went through 3 head gaskets on a 2002 Sentra I owned. Mysterious cooling loss began at 36K. Buyer beware!
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Just got back with a jug of Pennzoil 5w30 and a filter.
BTW, for all interested, Valvoline has a 5.5qt jug at walmart for an even $10. I passed up on it though because I think Pennzoil has a stronger add pack which would help in this situation.
I took a closer look this time at the shelves. They had Mobil, Castrol, Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, Shell, and Supertech(in the exxon mobile style bottles). They don't have a huge selection brand-wise, but the shelves were fully stocked in all viscosities.
BTW, for all interested, Valvoline has a 5.5qt jug at walmart for an even $10. I passed up on it though because I think Pennzoil has a stronger add pack which would help in this situation.
I took a closer look this time at the shelves. They had Mobil, Castrol, Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, Shell, and Supertech(in the exxon mobile style bottles). They don't have a huge selection brand-wise, but the shelves were fully stocked in all viscosities.
I wouldn't be inclined to dump an SM oil with only 720 miles on it. Even with short tripping, I can't see that oil being close to being depleted. I'd run 6 months minimum -- even with her short tripping. That would still put one at 2k miles or less. Surely she must take the odd longer trip to pick up groceries or something? With the warmer weather, a little condensation should burn off.
Well, I'm mainly worried about the warranty thing in case she needs her intake manifold gasket repaired for coolant leaks (which this engine is known for). It also only has a 2.8 quart sump. I dumped 2.5 quarts of pennzoil in it. Very little amount compared even to my Saturn which takes 4.5 quarts.
I may extend this one out since it is warmer weather now.
I may extend this one out since it is warmer weather now.
GMFan,
It looks like you would have picked up on any coolant usage.
If she has to add coolant......or you squeeze the top radiator hose and find that it has air in it.......
Then you would want to track down the coolant usage.
If it is not using coolant.....then the moisture will be condensation as has been mentioned.
I have a catch can on my Ford.....and it catches a lot of fluid in the cooler temperatures......not so much in warmer weather.
So....winter is your major concern.
Now.....a catch can will do NOTHING for moisture in the crankcase.......I mention it as my experience for winter moisture versus summer.
I would verify good PCV action......and even "jury rig" something if you find it not up to your standard.
A internet surf on the particular vehicle will tell you if it has a robust PCV system or not.
The ideal situation is a flow out of the crankcase through the PCV valve....and air coming IN through a oil breather.
Healthy flow.....will help to remove the moisture and "nasties" from your crankcase.
I would think that a 5 minute idle each trip should not leave you with visible moisture on the dipstick.
While not ideal.....a vehicle should still get up to temperature in that time.
As far as the FRAM oil filter.....if that is what you can find....try to get one of their better filters.....not their cheapest filter.
Avoid the ones that have additives in them......just marketing hype that won't help her car.
So.....maybe super short Oil change interval in the winter.....and go through the summer with a longer one?
It is good to see people helping out family.....good work!
It looks like you would have picked up on any coolant usage.
If she has to add coolant......or you squeeze the top radiator hose and find that it has air in it.......
Then you would want to track down the coolant usage.
If it is not using coolant.....then the moisture will be condensation as has been mentioned.
I have a catch can on my Ford.....and it catches a lot of fluid in the cooler temperatures......not so much in warmer weather.
So....winter is your major concern.
Now.....a catch can will do NOTHING for moisture in the crankcase.......I mention it as my experience for winter moisture versus summer.
I would verify good PCV action......and even "jury rig" something if you find it not up to your standard.
A internet surf on the particular vehicle will tell you if it has a robust PCV system or not.
The ideal situation is a flow out of the crankcase through the PCV valve....and air coming IN through a oil breather.
Healthy flow.....will help to remove the moisture and "nasties" from your crankcase.
I would think that a 5 minute idle each trip should not leave you with visible moisture on the dipstick.
While not ideal.....a vehicle should still get up to temperature in that time.
As far as the FRAM oil filter.....if that is what you can find....try to get one of their better filters.....not their cheapest filter.
Avoid the ones that have additives in them......just marketing hype that won't help her car.
So.....maybe super short Oil change interval in the winter.....and go through the summer with a longer one?
It is good to see people helping out family.....good work!
Yea, I plan on letting this oil change go until winter now. Walmart had the Supertech 6607 filter for her car in stock so that is what is on now, with the Pennzoil 5w30. I will be taking a few jugs of oil next week to advanced auto parts for recycling.
I will certainly keep an eye on her coolant. I did a tire rotation for her too and washed her car. It has been very dry here, and the car was covered in dirt/dust.
I washed my car as well, and sprayed under the car too to rid of any winter salt buildup. Some nasty looking stuff came out from under there.
I will certainly keep an eye on her coolant. I did a tire rotation for her too and washed her car. It has been very dry here, and the car was covered in dirt/dust.
I washed my car as well, and sprayed under the car too to rid of any winter salt buildup. Some nasty looking stuff came out from under there.
Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
.....Even with short tripping, I can't see that oil being close to being depleted....
The oil is almost certainly not "depleted", but that isn't the issue. There is definitely water contamination, and that IS an issue. This oil NEEDS dumped regularly, using anything more expensive than SuperTech is obviously a waste.
The very best thing she could do (besides walking) is to install a block heater with a timer and use it YEAR 'ROUND. Letting it idle to warm up is an even worse plan.
Joe
.....Even with short tripping, I can't see that oil being close to being depleted....
The oil is almost certainly not "depleted", but that isn't the issue. There is definitely water contamination, and that IS an issue. This oil NEEDS dumped regularly, using anything more expensive than SuperTech is obviously a waste.
The very best thing she could do (besides walking) is to install a block heater with a timer and use it YEAR 'ROUND. Letting it idle to warm up is an even worse plan.
Joe
Originally Posted By: Lazy JW
Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
.....Even with short tripping, I can't see that oil being close to being depleted....
The oil is almost certainly not "depleted", but that isn't the issue. There is definitely water contamination, and that IS an issue.
A little moisture is to be expected in the winter -- and will tend to evaporate at normal engine operating temperatures. With more moisture being put through the engine during winter, a little condensation on the dipstick will happen sometimes. It doesn't necessarily mean the oil is "contaminated" with water. And I addressed this point -- commenting on the warmer summer weather and longer trips to get rid of moisture).
Unless we are dealing with a coolant leak (which is a different matter), the increased moisture levels being put through the engine during winter will just deplete the additives a little faster. Do you really think the TBN is going to be trashed after only 720 miles/ 3months? Not likely. With OLM systems like GM uses, one would likely be extremely hard pressed to get the OLM to go off at less than 3k miles AND 6 months -- even in the winter with all short tripping.
Do we have any winter used oil analysis where the TBN was completely trashed with under 3k miles -- even with all city driving and a lot of short tripping?
Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
.....Even with short tripping, I can't see that oil being close to being depleted....
The oil is almost certainly not "depleted", but that isn't the issue. There is definitely water contamination, and that IS an issue.
A little moisture is to be expected in the winter -- and will tend to evaporate at normal engine operating temperatures. With more moisture being put through the engine during winter, a little condensation on the dipstick will happen sometimes. It doesn't necessarily mean the oil is "contaminated" with water. And I addressed this point -- commenting on the warmer summer weather and longer trips to get rid of moisture).
Unless we are dealing with a coolant leak (which is a different matter), the increased moisture levels being put through the engine during winter will just deplete the additives a little faster. Do you really think the TBN is going to be trashed after only 720 miles/ 3months? Not likely. With OLM systems like GM uses, one would likely be extremely hard pressed to get the OLM to go off at less than 3k miles AND 6 months -- even in the winter with all short tripping.
Do we have any winter used oil analysis where the TBN was completely trashed with under 3k miles -- even with all city driving and a lot of short tripping?
I'd be more worried about rusting out the exhaust sytem from water build-up, before engine problems from oil not coming up to proper engine temp. Can't you talk her into driving the car on the highway for 30 min on a weekend?
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