I just purchased a 1995 Saturn SC2 5 speed. Was owned by 2 previous older gentleman and the car is in great shape ( mechanically and cosmetically). It has 155k miles on the engine and has only been drinking good ol' dinosaur oil. Now from what I've been reading, switching to synthetic will help clean up some sludge that has been built up and give this old mama some vigor. My father who is mechanically inclined but kind of goes by old wives tales, believes I should not make the switch. From various forums I've been on ( For saturn motors) experienced drivers are saying it is beneficial. I'm hoping to receive some feedback on this and possible some factual evidence of if it is good or bad. Thanks in advance.
Switching an old motor to Synthetic
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No need to go synthetic if you're worried about sludge. Pennzoil yellow bottle is an excellent dino oil and known to be a good cleaner. Synthetic will only make your oil changes more expensive.
Not sure what you mean or what you're expecting as far as added 'vigor'.
Not sure what you mean or what you're expecting as far as added 'vigor'.
Lol I know that it wouldn't necessarily give any noticeable improvements if she ran on synthetic, but from what I hear. People who have started using full synthetic ( Not the [censored] blends, but full synthetic) they notice the motor running smoother, shifting through gears better, etc. A little more vigor in their old girls.
Placebo effect.
go pyb for motor, and change out the trans oil.
Are you saying the placebo affect is that in an older motor that was built before synthetics were available has no need to use a product like that and that any positive effect be it mechanical/visual/audible is in the mind? Whereas new cars that were built around the use of synthetics require them?
Originally Posted By: lexus114
go pyb for motor, and change out the trans oil.
I plan on changing the trans oil with Amsoil Torqdrive, was told it is the superior Transmission oil.
go pyb for motor, and change out the trans oil.
I plan on changing the trans oil with Amsoil Torqdrive, was told it is the superior Transmission oil.
Motor oils the past 10 years have become far more similar to each other. Even their performance is more consistently stellar. I've noticed this ever since they became SL. We're at SN now.
The only benefit to going synthetic is if you go beyond 10k in oil interval. If you are between 5k-10k, the call is up to you. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with nitpicking oil performance. Yes, some oil may contain more cleaners than others, but ever since I'd say SM oils, they are far more alike than different.
Yes, there will be some ultra special oils that are fringe and may clean better, but choosing between brands is less important. I'm sure you'll eventually get snooty replies about how some oil in their expensive toy car makes their hair grow back, etc... but choosing between dino vs. synth is all about oil change interval. In both cases either oil will perform spectacularly during their reasonable interval use.
The only benefit to going synthetic is if you go beyond 10k in oil interval. If you are between 5k-10k, the call is up to you. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with nitpicking oil performance. Yes, some oil may contain more cleaners than others, but ever since I'd say SM oils, they are far more alike than different.
Yes, there will be some ultra special oils that are fringe and may clean better, but choosing between brands is less important. I'm sure you'll eventually get snooty replies about how some oil in their expensive toy car makes their hair grow back, etc... but choosing between dino vs. synth is all about oil change interval. In both cases either oil will perform spectacularly during their reasonable interval use.
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95 Saturn,,you are brave, but many are still rolling somewhere.
I would wait until you can see how much oil this motor consumes, before going to synthetic. These motors have a rep for drinking the stuff, so I would be surprised if it doesn't drink a bunch of it.
And old motors that drink oil are not great candidates for synthetics. They generally just drink more of the good stuff. Good luck.
And old motors that drink oil are not great candidates for synthetics. They generally just drink more of the good stuff. Good luck.
I'd run a full synthetic because of those engines long and illustrious history of baking the ring area
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
I would wait until you can see how much oil this motor consumes, before going to synthetic. These motors have a rep for drinking the stuff, so I would be surprised if it doesn't drink a bunch of it.
And old motors that drink oil are not great candidates for synthetics. They generally just drink more of the good stuff. Good luck.
This. If it burns, leaks, or both, just run your favorite brand of conventional. No need to give it the good stuff if it's just going to go out the exhaust or onto the ground.
I would wait until you can see how much oil this motor consumes, before going to synthetic. These motors have a rep for drinking the stuff, so I would be surprised if it doesn't drink a bunch of it.
And old motors that drink oil are not great candidates for synthetics. They generally just drink more of the good stuff. Good luck.
This. If it burns, leaks, or both, just run your favorite brand of conventional. No need to give it the good stuff if it's just going to go out the exhaust or onto the ground.
No one else is mentioning this, so I'm jumping in with both feet.:
WHAT THE HECK !
Am I the only one that can count ? A1995 motor is not that old,it's barely 20 years old . I've been putting high quality synthetic oil in engines. 45 to 60 years old for the last 15 years. Don't let ANYONE tell you an older motor can't benefit froma high quality synthetic oil. Cast iron rings running up and down a cast iron cylinder or cylinder liner don't know if they are 50 years old or not. They only know it's gets hot doing their job, and synthetic oil reduces the friction they endure.
C'mon, have a heart. Give those old rings a break. They will last LONGER. The same goes double for rod and main bearings. And don't even get me started on flat tappet camshafts.. That means no roller lifters to you youngsters under 50.
So what if the engine uses a little oil. Put some synthetic oil in there anyway. You'll add more years of service to a engine on its last legs.
I've bee working in engines since 1963. I only wish synthetic ol was in widespread use back then.
Z.
WHAT THE HECK !
Am I the only one that can count ? A1995 motor is not that old,it's barely 20 years old . I've been putting high quality synthetic oil in engines. 45 to 60 years old for the last 15 years. Don't let ANYONE tell you an older motor can't benefit froma high quality synthetic oil. Cast iron rings running up and down a cast iron cylinder or cylinder liner don't know if they are 50 years old or not. They only know it's gets hot doing their job, and synthetic oil reduces the friction they endure.
C'mon, have a heart. Give those old rings a break. They will last LONGER. The same goes double for rod and main bearings. And don't even get me started on flat tappet camshafts.. That means no roller lifters to you youngsters under 50.
So what if the engine uses a little oil. Put some synthetic oil in there anyway. You'll add more years of service to a engine on its last legs.
I've bee working in engines since 1963. I only wish synthetic ol was in widespread use back then.
Z.
Originally Posted By: zray
So what if the engine uses a little oil.
Problem is these engines don't just use a little oil, they use a LOT of oil. My 2000 SC2 uses a quart every 700-800 miles, and that's a 2002 engine because the previous owner ran the original engine out of oil and threw a rod. The 96 SC2 I had used a quart every 500 miles, this meant adding a quart of oil every other time I put gas in it. Some of these Saturns need a quart of oil every time you put gas in.
There is zero chance I'm putting expensive synthetic oil in an engine that's just going to spit it out the tailpipe. When you own a Saturn, your favorite oil brand is "Whatever's Cheap". My price limit on oil for the Saturn is $2 a quart.
So what if the engine uses a little oil.
Problem is these engines don't just use a little oil, they use a LOT of oil. My 2000 SC2 uses a quart every 700-800 miles, and that's a 2002 engine because the previous owner ran the original engine out of oil and threw a rod. The 96 SC2 I had used a quart every 500 miles, this meant adding a quart of oil every other time I put gas in it. Some of these Saturns need a quart of oil every time you put gas in.
There is zero chance I'm putting expensive synthetic oil in an engine that's just going to spit it out the tailpipe. When you own a Saturn, your favorite oil brand is "Whatever's Cheap". My price limit on oil for the Saturn is $2 a quart.
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
Originally Posted By: zray
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
There is no fix. It's just the way these engines are, they burn oil...all of them. The only "fix" is to scrap the car. Replacing the engine will just get you another engine that burns oil.
I'm not a GM fan either, but aside from the oil burning issue, these Saturns were great little cars for their time.
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
There is no fix. It's just the way these engines are, they burn oil...all of them. The only "fix" is to scrap the car. Replacing the engine will just get you another engine that burns oil.
I'm not a GM fan either, but aside from the oil burning issue, these Saturns were great little cars for their time.
Originally Posted By: zray
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
Haha - yeah, many of us just love the punishment. Enjoy your Fords.
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
Haha - yeah, many of us just love the punishment. Enjoy your Fords.
Originally Posted By: bigt61
Originally Posted By: zray
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
Haha - yeah, many of us just love the punishment. Enjoy your Fords.
You are so right ! I've retired to my small hometown where there is only one vintage car club. Not only do they they welcome Chevy owners, them guys are in the MAJORITY ! Oh well, it's never been easy loving Fords, but always a lot of fun.
Z.
Originally Posted By: zray
With the money you are spending on that cheap oil you could fix the engine , or replace it. Those engines are not expensive.
That said, if you buy a GM product with your eyes open, well, I'll just say it will be a learning experience that you're not likely to repeat.
Z
Haha - yeah, many of us just love the punishment. Enjoy your Fords.
You are so right ! I've retired to my small hometown where there is only one vintage car club. Not only do they they welcome Chevy owners, them guys are in the MAJORITY ! Oh well, it's never been easy loving Fords, but always a lot of fun.
Z.
Originally Posted By: zray
No one else is mentioning this, so I'm jumping in with both feet.:
WHAT THE HECK !
Am I the only one that can count ? A1995 motor is not that old,it's barely 20 years old . I've been putting high quality synthetic oil in engines. 45 to 60 years old for the last 15 years. Don't let ANYONE tell you an older motor can't benefit froma high quality synthetic oil. Cast iron rings running up and down a cast iron cylinder or cylinder liner don't know if they are 50 years old or not. They only know it's gets hot doing their job, and synthetic oil reduces the friction they endure.
C'mon, have a heart. Give those old rings a break. They will last LONGER. The same goes double for rod and main bearings. And don't even get me started on flat tappet camshafts.. That means no roller lifters to you youngsters under 50.
So what if the engine uses a little oil. Put some synthetic oil in there anyway. You'll add more years of service to a engine on its last legs.
I've bee working in engines since 1963. I only wish synthetic ol was in widespread use back then.
Z.
I am even a bit older than you. And I use synthetic oil in almost ever motorized object I own.
I would agree with you (I have an engine that has 250k on it, synthetic all the way, never has used a drop).
Except......What do you consider "Using a little oil"? If one of these Saturn motors uses a quart every 700 miles on dino, it is likely to double that, on synthetic. Just sayin'.
No one else is mentioning this, so I'm jumping in with both feet.:
WHAT THE HECK !
Am I the only one that can count ? A1995 motor is not that old,it's barely 20 years old . I've been putting high quality synthetic oil in engines. 45 to 60 years old for the last 15 years. Don't let ANYONE tell you an older motor can't benefit froma high quality synthetic oil. Cast iron rings running up and down a cast iron cylinder or cylinder liner don't know if they are 50 years old or not. They only know it's gets hot doing their job, and synthetic oil reduces the friction they endure.
C'mon, have a heart. Give those old rings a break. They will last LONGER. The same goes double for rod and main bearings. And don't even get me started on flat tappet camshafts.. That means no roller lifters to you youngsters under 50.
So what if the engine uses a little oil. Put some synthetic oil in there anyway. You'll add more years of service to a engine on its last legs.
I've bee working in engines since 1963. I only wish synthetic ol was in widespread use back then.
Z.
I am even a bit older than you. And I use synthetic oil in almost ever motorized object I own.
I would agree with you (I have an engine that has 250k on it, synthetic all the way, never has used a drop).
Except......What do you consider "Using a little oil"? If one of these Saturn motors uses a quart every 700 miles on dino, it is likely to double that, on synthetic. Just sayin'.
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