The age old question... 1999 Chevy Express Van.

[thezman007]

Hi all,

I am looking for recommnedations for dino oil to run in my 1999 Chevy Express Conversion van. We have not owned it long and the previous owners seem to have taken very good care of it as seen by both the engine and interior. I don't know what was run in it before, but it has 105k miles on it and I am about to change the oil for the winter. I have already decided on a Mobil 1 M1-302 filter as it had high (99.9%) efficiency at .25 microns unless someone has a better option. My van:

- Has the 5.7 Vortec 350ci engine
- Is my daily driver
- Goes for a short trip each day (3 miles or so)
- Is warmed up at least 60 seconds before it ever moves, much longer in winter
- Is too old for synthetic(?)
- Recommends 5W30 API SG

Will be getting a tranny service (I'm thinking AMSOIL ATF), coolant flush and fill, plugs, wires, and oil change at our Ford dealer soon(I know, I know, but my wife works there and we get great rates and I personally know the guy who will do it who has exclusively Chevys at home.)

Once I start with an oil brand/weight I stick with it and change it regularly. This will be my oil for now and in the future.

Thanks a million guys

 

[nwjones18]

You honestly could run anything in that and it would be fine. No reason to really overthink it. If you want to run synthetic just pick up some Mobil 1, QSUD or PU and run it forever.

 

[OneEyeJack]

It's not too old for synthetic. Shop the local stores and check the price of major brand 5w-30 synthetics, pick one and you're on your way. Among the majors I don't think there is a bad or wrong choice. You might find that over the long run if you watch for sales that Mobil 1 oil is a good buy, available everywhere.

Pictures???

 

[thezman007]

I've just heard that running synthetic in an older engine can cause seal to swell too much and that makes problems is all. My wife think AMSOIL is too much for that van's tranny. Anyone else agree? Also, I will try to get some pics up

 

[Burt]

With your low mileage driving, use conventional, don't warm it up be before driving and use the savings to do extra maintenance on brake fluids, anti-freeze or something else you might otherwise overlook.

 

[gallydif]

Originally Posted By: Burt
With your low mileage driving, use conventional, don't warm it up be before driving and use the savings to do extra maintenance on brake fluids, anti-freeze or something else you might otherwise overlook.

+1. Mobil super 5k. Walmart has good prices on it. Although if you have AAP close to you, they have a special on QSUD and oil filter for $19.99 this month. No need to warm it up.

 

[CATERHAM]

You mentioned your very short commute of only 3 miles but not your annual mileage?
How many miles are on your current oil fill and when was it last changed? If as I suspect the time interval and mileage is very low I would recommend not changing the oil until after your "Nevada winter".
As for your oil choice, when the time comes any synthetic 5W-30 bought on sale would be fine or even Pennzoil conventional if it's cheaper.

 

[Kawiguy454]

I think the swelled seals thing is backwards. The dino oil swells the seals and the synthetic USED to NOT swell the seals so engine would start to leak. I drove an early 90's dodge van with a 318. It always had cheapo oil in it. I put M1 synth in and it started leaking badly on rear main seal. I beleive since then all newer engine seals are viton rubber and so dont swell at all.

 

[Clevy]

Whatever is on sale in a name brand conventional. They are all comparable in quality.
Short intervals due to your short trips. 5000 miles max and if it's fuel diluted enough to be flammable change it.
Or run it a 100 miles to evaporate it off.

You've got one of the most durable engines ever built. As long as you don't fill it with 3 in 1 oil or beef tallow you'll drive that vehicle for longer than you actually want to

 

[thezman007]

Awesome, thanks guys! I suspected I might be overthinking it. I think I will just just use the local conventional sale or Mobil 1 Super, whatever is cheaper. Thanks again

 

[AZjeff]

Another BITOG success story!

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: Kawiguy454
I think the swelled seals thing is backwards. The dino oil swells the seals and the synthetic USED to NOT swell the seals so engine would start to leak. I drove an early 90's dodge van with a 318. It always had cheapo oil in it. I put M1 synth in and it started leaking badly on rear main seal. I beleive since then all newer engine seals are viton rubber and so dont swell at all.


The synthetic oils clean better which causes the leaks. Just use regular oil

 

[BigD1]

I would just use standard dexron transmission fluid in it. No use to spend excess money on trans fluid. Give it a dose of Lube Gard Automatic Transmission Protectant after the flush and fill, and be done with it.

 

[georgemiller]

I had Dodge 1997 van about 100,000 miles that I did 3000 mile oil changes with conventional and would burn 1 qt between changes. Changed to synthetic and after 1000 miles went to check oil and was almost empty. I never used synthetic again.

 

[901Memphis]

Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 is what I like

 

[Gokhan]

Originally Posted By: thezman007
Hi all,

I am looking for recommnedations for dino oil to run in my 1999 Chevy Express Conversion van. We have not owned it long and the previous owners seem to have taken very good care of it as seen by both the engine and interior. I don't know what was run in it before, but it has 105k miles on it and I am about to change the oil for the winter. I have already decided on a Mobil 1 M1-302 filter as it had high (99.9%) efficiency at .25 microns unless someone has a better option. My van:

- Has the 5.7 Vortec 350ci engine
- Is my daily driver
- Goes for a short trip each day (3 miles or so)
- Is warmed up at least 60 seconds before it ever moves, much longer in winter
- Is too old for synthetic(?)
- Recommends 5W30 API SG

Will be getting a tranny service (I'm thinking AMSOIL ATF), coolant flush and fill, plugs, wires, and oil change at our Ford dealer soon(I know, I know, but my wife works there and we get great rates and I personally know the guy who will do it who has exclusively Chevys at home.)

Once I start with an oil brand/weight I stick with it and change it regularly. This will be my oil for now and in the future.

Thanks a million guys

Why dino? Get whatever synthetic 5W-30 is on sale -- much better quality for a slight premium in price. It's crazy to spend so much money on a Mobil 1 oil filter and then run dino oil with it! By the way, I heard Mann filter is also very good or perhaps even better than Mobil 1. OEM filters are also always good and a safe bet. Aftermarket filters can sometimes clog too early, especially Purolator PureOne. Mann and Mobil 1 should be good though.

For ATF, I have always used Valvoline. The current fill is Valvoline Dexron VI full synthetic, which is the only full-synthetic Dexron VI you can find in auto-parts stores.

 

[fdcg27]

Have you considered how many tanks of fuel you could pay for with the savings you'd gain by performing all of this basic maintenance DIY? The plugs might be enough of a PITAS to farm out.
For oil, I don't think you'd go wrong with any name brand on sale.
I'd lean to a synthetic myself, but most conventionals are also very good.
This sounds like a nice sin bin and not ragged out and ready for use by a carpet installer as most of them this old are.
Good luck with your new ride.

 

[Branson304]

You could use synthetic in that van FYI, although I wouldn't. I would use Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic Blend changed every 3,000-5,000 (based on your driving conditions).

A better alternative to the Mobil 1 filter is the Fram Ultra Synthetic. 99% filtration effeciency, 15K miles of life or more, just as good or better than the M1 filter but considerably cheaper.

 

[ryanschillinger]

When I switched my 96 civic to synthetic at about 140k miles it consumed a quart in a couple thousand miles. A lot faster than before. After that first quart went, consumption has decreased dramatically. Still running same synthetic but last oci only went down a quart in something like 4500 miles. That's less than he 5w30 conventional that was in it before. I'm using 5w20 synthetic now. Logically it should be using more oil, but doesn't. Maybe just needed to get used to it?