Tahoe Engine Clean Up

[THORROMIG]

Friend just picked up a 2002 Tahoe with a 5.3L and 71,229 original miles. Told me his Dad changed the oil for him and put in 4quarts of Rotella T5 10-30 Semi Synthetic and 2quarts of T6 5-40 Full Synthetic with a Pure One filter for a 3000 mile run clean up. I say hes wasting his money and why not run it out to 5000 miles? Says an older gentleman ownded it before him bought it new and ran only conventional. What is your opinion on running this short 3000 mile run with a good oil with a great filter I believe?

 

[dave1251]

Waste of resources and money. Run it 5K minimum. Also what does it matter if the original owner "only" used conventional oil if it was maintained properly that is better than using synthetic and then not doing any maintenance?

The overemphasis of the term "synthetic" for use under mild everyday use is really overstated on this site.

 

[gregk24]

I see nothing wrong with a 3000 mile clean up. I see nothing wrong with a 3000 mile OCI. But you could run it longer after its been cleaned up (depending on your driving style).

 

[CarbonSteel]

Out of curiosity, what is the determining factor that a "clean up" is needed at all? A visual inspection under the valve covers or the like? Just trying to follow the logic...

 

[Astro14]

If you have yet to determine that it's dirty...then why try to clean it?

 

[cmorr]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Waste of resources and money. Run it 5K minimum. Also what does it matter if the original owner "only" used conventional oil if it was maintained properly that is better than using synthetic and then not doing any maintenance?

The overemphasis of the term "synthetic" for use under mild everyday use is really overstated on this site.


Think you over jumping to conclusions and being overly judgmental.

The way I read this the OP used "only" no to be derogatory of conventional oil. He was stating that conventional oil was used exclusively (perhaps a better phrase)

Let's allow him to clarify before throwing stones

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: cmorr
Originally Posted By: dave1251
Waste of resources and money. Run it 5K minimum. Also what does it matter if the original owner "only" used conventional oil if it was maintained properly that is better than using synthetic and then not doing any maintenance?

The overemphasis of the term "synthetic" for use under mild everyday use is really overstated on this site.


Think you over jumping to conclusions and being overly judgmental.

The way I read this the OP used "only" no to be derogatory of conventional oil. He was stating that conventional oil was used exclusively (perhaps a better phrase)

Let's allow him to clarify before throwing stones


Do you have anything else to say?

 

[Clevy]

Its a bit thick so I would add a quart of mmo to establish even just to yourself that the innards are clean and have a clean slate to work from.
I always run a couple short runs of whatever's on sale with a mild cleaning additive,whether it be mmo or seafoam and I suck a can up through the vacuum lines to clean up the top end.
It makes me feel like I'm starting fresh with a new to me vehicle.
With the stout oils you've got there a quart of mmo and 5000 miles should be no sweat.
Nice got a 99 with the 5.3. 270k and I can say from experience with this motor a 30 grade is where its at and follow the oil life monitor and I've got no doubt the wheels will fall off before the engine misses a beat.

 

[stockrex]

how is it driven? how much idle time?

if you want shorter OCI just run dino.

 

[JethroBodine]

If you want to clean ay deposits (if run 5000 on dino probably not much) then switch it to PP 5w30 for balance of it's life and do 5000 OCI's. Done.

 

[JethroBodine]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Its a bit thick so I would add a quart of mmo to establish even just to yourself that the innards are clean and have a clean slate to work from.
I always run a couple short runs of whatever's on sale with a mild cleaning additive,whether it be mmo or seafoam and I suck a can up through the vacuum lines to clean up the top end.
It makes me feel like I'm starting fresh with a new to me vehicle.
With the stout oils you've got there a quart of mmo and 5000 miles should be no sweat.
Nice got a 99 with the 5.3. 270k and I can say from experience with this motor a 30 grade is where its at and follow the oil life monitor and I've got no doubt the wheels will fall off before the engine misses a beat.


Didn't the 1999 have the 5.7?

 

[THORROMIG]

Thank you for using a better term/phrase "exclusively" with the conventional cmorr. He stopped over at my house yesterday to show me his new wheels and just explained to me what his Dad did and asked me my advice? I simply stated, "if it was me I would run it to 5000 miles with that oil & filer factorization!!" I am not looking to rebuttle about this topic. Just a simple topic and hopefully some positive feedback. When he popped the hood I seen what looked like the original spark plug wires and a dirty air filter after we opened the housing. He said, that he would buy a new filter tomorrow and just to be sure new plugs and wires with a new pcv valve. Please, just a simple topic!!

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: JethroBodine

Didn't the 1999 have the 5.7?



The 99 year was "split", with some older style Chevys having the 5.7, and the new Silverados having the 5.3.