What do you recommend?

[doc540]

I'll try to provide as much info. as possible:

1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, LT1, (unmodified apart from K&N cold air intake and lower restriction exhaust)

Mileage: 144,000
Application: in-town driving, occasional trips 200 miles or less, lightly loaded with less than 500lbs. of music gear.
Tires/gearing: stock, 2.93 posi

The previous owner had the car for less than 20,000 miles and used Mobil 1, 5w30 in a cold climate.

We both have NO idea what oil was used prior to 120,000 miles.

I have owned the car for 5 months, running fresh Mobil 1 and a WIX filter. I also added a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil with my first oil change 2,000 miles ago. It "appears" to be dark and dirty already, but is using NO oil.

What oil and service schedule do you recommend I use from here on out? I plan to keep and drive this 140K+ LT1 engine car and want to avoid major repairs down the road.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My sister has an LT1 in her Firebird Formula and it runs perfect on Maxlife 10W30. It had a slight leak and it slowed it pretty well, to less than a drop a day and it revs perfectly with it. Before that we don't know what was used. That would be my recommendation!

 

[doc540]

Just to be clear:
First 120,000 miles or so we don't know what oil was used. During last 20,000 or so Mobil 1 was used.

Not sure whether to stick with Mobil 1 from here on out, or switch at 144,000. btw: I live in HOT HUMID southeast Texas right on the Gulf coast.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My recommendation still stands

It will serve you just fine. a 5W30 or 10W30 Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic or Synthetic Blend will be perfect for your application.

 

[pp_rp]

Why not stay with Mobil 1? It's a excellent oil !

 

[doc540]

That's my plan, but I thought I'd consult the experts here for their recommendations.

Mobil 1 and WIX filters

 

[ThirdeYe]

Quote:

---

Why not stay with Mobil 1? It's a excellent oil !

---

I choose not to use Mobil 1 because of consistently higher iron readings in UOAs when compared to other oils and universal averages. Sure it may work for some, but for most, I see higher iron.

 

[doc540]

That's the kind of info I'm looking for here.
Thanks

 

[mitchcoyote]

Stick with Mobil 1 and Wix filters....

 

[DINO_NO]

Try running a 3oz dose with ARX and your synthetic to gradually clean the rings etc.

 

[ericthepig]

ThirdeYe, do you remember if there was a certain line of M1 that was giving those iron readings? EP, regular?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Seems to be both, take a look in the UOA section and see for yourself

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=3#Post911566
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=4#Post864176
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=7#Post880246

But then again, for as many as there are with high iron, there are as many with normal iron. -shrugs- beats the heck outta me!

 

[bmwtechguy]

Much better value is to run Maxlife synblend 10W-30 (excellent oil) for approx 5000 mile interval. This would cost you about $13 for the oil. You should change your oil based on how car is driven and over how many months. On average, I would change this oil every six months or so. Maxlife full syn would also be good, but costs more (about $21 for 5 quart jug at WM). I really like the Maxlife oils over regular Mobil 1 based on the results I've seen here on Bitog and personal experience- better price, too. The full syn might be overkill in this application, but it's up to you, and would possibly allow you to extend your oci out to 10k or better. Wix certainly makes a good filter, but there are others that would do well, too.