Used car oil cleaning

[Racerngr1]

I just purchased a used 2002 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2L I4 and 30k miles as a little commuter car. I am generally a big Amsoil guy but can't decide whether or not to run it in this car as well. My real question at this time is:

Is there a conventional oil that is good to use for short term as a cleaner or oil flush? My thought process is to run a cheaper conventional oil for a few thousand miles then switch to Amsoil and run 10-15k OCI's. What do you think or what would you do?

 

[kcfx4]

do 3k runs on mobil clean 5k,

 

[Racerngr1]

Should I run the M1-101 Mobil filter too

 

[GenSan]

Havoline with Deposit Shield has a good dose of Ca2+ for your intended purpose.

 

[Racerngr1]

what is the Ca2+?

 

[spasm3]

Hopefully there is not much to clean with 30k on it. mobil clean is good, i might mix 1/2 mobil clean with m1 high mileage. Mobil advertises m1 high mileage as a cleaning oil. If cost is not an issue run the m1 high mileage and change the filter at 3k top up and change it a 6k. Then you could do mobil ep or amsoil for 10k oci's.

 

[ronrackley]

Originally Posted By: Racerngr1
I just purchased a used 2002 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2L I4 and 30k miles as a little commuter car. I am generally a big Amsoil guy but can't decide whether or not to run it in this car as well. My real question at this time is:

Is there a conventional oil that is good to use for short term as a cleaner or oil flush? My thought process is to run a cheaper conventional oil for a few thousand miles then switch to Amsoil and run 10-15k OCI's. What do you think or what would you do?


My way: Shell Rotella, with Marvel Mystery Oil replacing 1 quart, for 500 miles or so, then drain & refill with the same mixture and a new filter. After another 2000 miles or so, drain and refill with the high quality oil of your choice and a new filter. You will have confidence knowing that the engine is clean inside. Amsoil is certainly a high quality oil.

 

[fdcg27]

Is this an Ecotec, or the old pushrod engine?
Not that it matters.
Amsoil would be a waste in either one.
If you think the engine could use a little cleaning, try a couple of 5K runs of PP, which is pretty cheap, and should clean well, based upon its ad pack, or maybe SOPUS advertising.
You could also probably do 10K on PP, although a UOA would be in order. Others have done so.
You really don't need to go to the expense of an M1 filter, either.
Use any decent oil in this thing and change at reasonable intervals, and the engine will outlast the rest of the car.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Is this an Ecotec, or the old pushrod engine?
Not that it matters.
Amsoil would be a waste in either one.
If you think the engine could use a little cleaning, try a couple of 5K runs of PP, which is pretty cheap, and should clean well, based upon its ad pack, or maybe SOPUS advertising.
You could also probably do 10K on PP, although a UOA would be in order. Others have done so.
You really don't need to go to the expense of an M1 filter, either.
Use any decent oil in this thing and change at reasonable intervals, and the engine will outlast the rest of the car.


+1

May i suggest PYB as well, instead of the Rotella? Just a thought. Other than that, the 500 miles and one quart MMO is great way to go as previous poster said.

Quad-4 was bigger than 2.2 EDIT if its a 2002 it was near the end for Sunfire/Cavalier and it was an Ecotec, pushrod was earlier MYs but id PYB or Maxlife it, if its fine maybe PYB if it has a little going on maybe Maxlife it.. idk. Even Walmart oil but i can understand you are looking for the best.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Is this an Ecotec, or the old pushrod engine?
Not that it matters.
Amsoil would be a waste in either one.
If you think the engine could use a little cleaning, try a couple of 5K runs of PP, which is pretty cheap, and should clean well, based upon its ad pack, or maybe SOPUS advertising.
You could also probably do 10K on PP, although a UOA would be in order. Others have done so.
You really don't need to go to the expense of an M1 filter, either.
Use any decent oil in this thing and change at reasonable intervals, and the engine will outlast the rest of the car.


This is probably the best advice so far. If you must use AMSOIL use PP first. It should work with no other additives necessary. PP or M1 HM and definitely M1 EP can go the distances your are looking for. I personally don't like more than 10K but that is my own personal pref. (it don't mean jack). Good luck!

 

[Racerngr1]

Why would Amsoil be a waste of money?

 

[electrolover]

is rotella a high detergent oil?

i would just run PP at the manufacturer spec. its only got 30k on it; cant be that dirty.

check the pics of my wife's fill hole, she has been running Platinum for 10k

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Racerngr1
Why would Amsoil be a waste of money?


I know, right? The New OE or XL line are priced just right and capable of 10k OCI's.

I'm all up for buying oil on sale at wally world but come on, saying Amsoil is a waste is just wrong. Its perfectly good oil.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Hopefully there is not much to clean with 30k on it.


only 30k sure but its also 8 years old. I'm sure there's some nasty goo in there somewhere.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Racerngr1
Why would Amsoil be a waste of money?


Quote:
I know, right? The New OE or XL line are priced just right and capable of 10k OCI's.

I'm all up for buying oil on sale at wally world but come on, saying Amsoil is a waste is just wrong. Its perfectly good oil.


For this engine, its like buying a set of $500 tires for a car with holes in the floor. Its just not needed; a pair of 4 tires adding up to $200 at $50 a tire will do fine. It isnt any direct diss to the tires, or, in this example, the AMSOIL Oil.

Its like wearing a Platinum watch and business suit and loafers to work construction at an Oil site.

 

[Artem]

Ok i see your point. The car is a POS, i have to agree, no need for high quality oils.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Artem
Ok i see your point. The car is a POS, i have to agree, no need for high quality oils.


Id amend that to any decent oil should be fine. The best oils are excess. +1

 

[Artem]

Well if the OP is already using Amsoil and purchases it on a regular basis from a local dealer and what not, i'd use Amsoil OE and just call it a day. @ $3.99 per quart PC price, i think its a steal

 

[Racerngr1]

I'm a dealer for Amsoil (isn't everybody )but was planning on using the ASL with an EA oil filter. I've used the DME in my LMM as long as I owned it but sold it to purchase something else. Is there a list of all the abbreviations that this site uses? What is PP?

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Artem
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Hopefully there is not much to clean with 30k on it.


only 30k sure but its also 8 years old. I'm sure there's some nasty goo in there somewhere.

Unless it was badly neglected, I seriously doubt it... I recently bought a '98 Grand Marquis with 33K and it's clean...

I'd probably go with the Mobil Clean 5000 as already suggested and if it didn't get really dirty in the first 2-3K miles run it the full 5K, then switch to your favorite brand... On the Mercury I just changed the oil and ran it a little over 4K, it sees a lot of short trips...