Trying to decide between 6k and 7500k

[Nick R]

So as most of you know, I have PP 5W-30 in my cavalier. It's been in for 3500 miles as of today. I also got a job today, the job is 60 miles round trip, and assuming 4 days a week, that comes out to about 1,000 miles a month just for that, not including school and bumming around. To work and from is 25 miles highway each way, 5 miles country/city driving. I was originally going to run to 6K miles, but now I'm thinking about going to 7500. Going to do a UOA when done.

On another note, some might remembe I had the smell of exhaust in my car when stopped for periods of time. I found out that the rear right inch or so of the valve cover gasket are leaking air, I can feel the air when I have my hand next to it. I wish it wasn't, because I had just replaced the VC gasket this past summer. I'm wondering if this might also be the reason that I'm "burning" about 1qt/4500 miles based on my calculations.

I also today picked up 2 bottles (buy one get one free) of Chevron Techron 12oz to dump in the tank the next 2 fill ups. After first paycheck gonna replace the NGK Coppers I have with NGK G-Power platinums, for longer life and maybe better fuel economy. Going to make sure my tires are inflated to 30PSI front and 33 rear I think that will be good, for fuel economy.

For those wondering, I am now gainfully employed with Six Flags Parks inc, as a ride operator at Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury NY.

 

[daves87rs]

Congrats on the job!


With mostly highway on that 2.2, I think 7500 would be okay. Just keep an eye om it.

 

[GMBoy]

Congrats on the new job! I imagine just seeing the women in the park is perks enough! Anyhow, You can't go wrong with 6k mile oil changes and that's personall what I would do. But - with your new work schedule and the fact you are running PP I would bet 7500 miles would be just fine on that oil, but I wouldn't stretch it out anymore than that not knowing the condition of your engine. The highway miles sure does good for your car and oil. One more thing - why not just go 35psi all around for your tires? I do that, still gives decent ride and handling but a little less rolling resistance. All my cars spec somewhere between 30-32 and I just go 35. Oh and you did good with the Techron - it works.

 

[gathermewool]

6k, then extend after UOA. The oil will hold up just fine, but you need to figure out whether you have a contamination issue. If there are no oil contamination issues, which it sounds like you might with a badly leaking VC gasket, and the motor is running well, I'd guess you'll be able to extend out a good bit with so much highway mileage.

JMO, of course.

 

[Steve S]

7,500 + is possible with syn oil.

 

[Nick R]

Thanks guys. As far as the VC gasket is concerned.. There's only about an inch of it that seems to be leaking, and it's not a bad leak. I don't see any visible holes, so I can't imagine there is really any contamination, but maybe when I do the oil change I will replace it again. Based on what you all said, I think I'm going to comprimise, and go for 6500 miles. The engine is running fantastically, I can't imagine it could run any better than it is now to be honest.
Dave87rs: thanks man
GMBoy: Haha, hadn't thought about it that way. Yeah I think I'm gonna air up the tires a bit.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Your drives of 30 mostly highway miles each way is very easy on oil, 10k+ miles is very possible with syn oil. I would extract some oil via dipstick tube for UOA at 7k miles to see if you can keep it to 10k+ miles.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Your drives of 30 mostly highway miles each way is very easy on oil, 10k+ miles is very possible with syn oil. I would extract some oil via dipstick tube for UOA at 7k miles to see if you can keep it to 10k+ miles.

I dunno if I want to go that long for several reasons. One, 7500 miles is pushing my internal limits. 2, I like changing the oil and I have the next oil changing sitting on a shelf in the garage right now lol

 

[Bluestream]

Congrats...say hello to Mr Six Flags for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze72uyZfY5Q

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Congrats...say hello to Mr Six Flags for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze72uyZfY5Q


Haha, I will

 

[Gator]

I would use synthetic Mobil 1 EP, Pennzoil Plat, or even Motorcraft blend and change every 6 months, say every November 1st and every april 1st.

 

[Warstud]

No problem going 7500 with a good synthetic with your driving conditions... especially if it's leaking or consuming oil and your keeping it full.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
So as most of you know, I have PP 5W-30 in my cavalier. It's been in for 3500 miles as of today. I also got a job today, the job is 60 miles round trip, and assuming 4 days a week, that comes out to about 1,000 miles a month just for that, not including school and bumming around. To work and from is 25 miles highway each way, 5 miles country/city driving. I was originally going to run to 6K miles, but now I'm thinking about going to 7500. Going to do a UOA when done.

On another note, some might remembe I had the smell of exhaust in my car when stopped for periods of time. I found out that the rear right inch or so of the valve cover gasket are leaking air, I can feel the air when I have my hand next to it. I wish it wasn't, because I had just replaced the VC gasket this past summer. I'm wondering if this might also be the reason that I'm "burning" about 1qt/4500 miles based on my calculations.

I also today picked up 2 bottles (buy one get one free) of Chevron Techron 12oz to dump in the tank the next 2 fill ups. After first paycheck gonna replace the NGK Coppers I have with NGK G-Power platinums, for longer life and maybe better fuel economy. Going to make sure my tires are inflated to 30PSI front and 33 rear I think that will be good, for fuel economy.

For those wondering, I am now gainfully employed with Six Flags Parks inc, as a ride operator at Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury NY.


i also have the 2.2 cavy as a daily driver, and run approx 35psi summer, 32-33psi winter in all four corners, I cant comment on the oil as im strickly in town with mine so short OCI'S are the way i go. I use A/C delco plugs and although i have no data/facts to back up my opinions ive found in most chevys that they perform very well. Ive tried the fancy more expensive plugs in 4 of my past chevys and unless its a irridium tipped factory oem plug, plane-jane A/C'S always do best for me. techron in the tank is good, especially the chevys with the hairy fueal guage. 2 pennies.

 

[Oldwolf]

I have been running 10k oci's for the last 80k miles in my Cavalier. I don't have the same engine as you, but still, going 7500 miles shouldn't be an issue with a synthetic.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
So as most of you know, I have PP 5W-30 in my cavalier. It's been in for 3500 miles as of today. I also got a job today, the job is 60 miles round trip, and assuming 4 days a week, that comes out to about 1,000 miles a month just for that, not including school and bumming around. To work and from is 25 miles highway each way, 5 miles country/city driving. I was originally going to run to 6K miles, but now I'm thinking about going to 7500. Going to do a UOA when done.

On another note, some might remembe I had the smell of exhaust in my car when stopped for periods of time. I found out that the rear right inch or so of the valve cover gasket are leaking air, I can feel the air when I have my hand next to it. I wish it wasn't, because I had just replaced the VC gasket this past summer. I'm wondering if this might also be the reason that I'm "burning" about 1qt/4500 miles based on my calculations.

I also today picked up 2 bottles (buy one get one free) of Chevron Techron 12oz to dump in the tank the next 2 fill ups. After first paycheck gonna replace the NGK Coppers I have with NGK G-Power platinums, for longer life and maybe better fuel economy. Going to make sure my tires are inflated to 30PSI front and 33 rear I think that will be good, for fuel economy.

For those wondering, I am now gainfully employed with Six Flags Parks inc, as a ride operator at Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury NY.


i also have the 2.2 cavy as a daily driver, and run approx 35psi summer, 32-33psi winter in all four corners, I cant comment on the oil as im strickly in town with mine so short OCI'S are the way i go. I use A/C delco plugs and although i have no data/facts to back up my opinions ive found in most chevys that they perform very well. Ive tried the fancy more expensive plugs in 4 of my past chevys and unless its a irridium tipped factory oem plug, plane-jane A/C'S always do best for me. techron in the tank is good, especially the chevys with the hairy fueal guage. 2 pennies.



The NGK G-powers are essentially the same plug (but better) and cheaper, only $2.59 a plug versus $5.99 for the AC. The AC plugs are made by NGK.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Congrats on the new job! I imagine just seeing the women in the park is perks enough!


7500 mi no question, forget about motor oil, and prepare for the girls!

 

[Nick R]

As long as I don't get stuck with on a kiddie ride

Oh yes- is the gas gauge beyond repair? The first "half tank" on the gauge is in reality the first 2/3 tank. The last 1/2 on the gauge is really only about 5 gallons, if that. The first half is about 10, maybe more. Could the techron help this, or is the gauge just messed up for all time?

 

[Colt45ws]

They do this intentionally, though I forgot why.. I want to say the split on my Cavi was 9/6. My Vic is 10/9

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
They do this intentionally, though I forgot why.. I want to say the split on my Cavi was 9/6. My Vic is 10/9


Automakers have done alot of things that don't make sense... And GM doing that on purpose ranks up there.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
So as most of you know, I have PP 5W-30 in my cavalier. It's been in for 3500 miles as of today. I also got a job today, the job is 60 miles round trip, and assuming 4 days a week, that comes out to about 1,000 miles a month just for that, not including school and bumming around. To work and from is 25 miles highway each way, 5 miles country/city driving. I was originally going to run to 6K miles, but now I'm thinking about going to 7500. Going to do a UOA when done.

On another note, some might remembe I had the smell of exhaust in my car when stopped for periods of time. I found out that the rear right inch or so of the valve cover gasket are leaking air, I can feel the air when I have my hand next to it. I wish it wasn't, because I had just replaced the VC gasket this past summer. I'm wondering if this might also be the reason that I'm "burning" about 1qt/4500 miles based on my calculations.

I also today picked up 2 bottles (buy one get one free) of Chevron Techron 12oz to dump in the tank the next 2 fill ups. After first paycheck gonna replace the NGK Coppers I have with NGK G-Power platinums, for longer life and maybe better fuel economy. Going to make sure my tires are inflated to 30PSI front and 33 rear I think that will be good, for fuel economy.

For those wondering, I am now gainfully employed with Six Flags Parks inc, as a ride operator at Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Queensbury NY.


i also have the 2.2 cavy as a daily driver, and run approx 35psi summer, 32-33psi winter in all four corners, I cant comment on the oil as im strickly in town with mine so short OCI'S are the way i go. I use A/C delco plugs and although i have no data/facts to back up my opinions ive found in most chevys that they perform very well. Ive tried the fancy more expensive plugs in 4 of my past chevys and unless its a irridium tipped factory oem plug, plane-jane A/C'S always do best for me. techron in the tank is good, especially the chevys with the hairy fueal guage. 2 pennies.



The NGK G-powers are essentially the same plug (but better) and cheaper, only $2.59 a plug versus $5.99 for the AC. The AC plugs are made by NGK.


this is why i like BITOG, im always learning something new. i will have to try the NGK's in the car, I already run them in my bike's. When ive tried "fancy" stuff like splitfire's
i was dissapointed. So am i currently just paying the extra few bucks for the name A/C ? or is there something to the "essentially the same" ? more details please. To the OP sorry to jack your thrad, im just trying to learn something here.