Since Ive started changing my own oil, Ive used Pennzoil Dexos Syn Blend 5w30, Mobil 1 0w30, and now Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5w30. Favorite has probably been the Quaker State. Unfortunately it consumes oil, about a quart every 2000-3000 miles it seems, which isnt terrible but it only has 109,000 miles. I has had a pinging issue since we got it an no one has been able to fix it. I am open to conventional syn blend, and synthetic. Will be using a Tough Guard or Puro Classic. Thought of Max Life, but I dont want to swell seals or do anything like that. Slowing consumption would be nice, also need something that keeps the engine quiet. It tends to be noisy, even when warmed up. It also likes to run a little warm, so maybe synthetic would be a good option in that regard. One final thing, its an extreme short tripper/grocery getter. I dont have a certain OCI for it, right now its in the 50% range on the OLM after 2500 miles or so on this interval.
What oil for Uplander 3.5?
- Thread starter gregk24
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I would try a 10w30 oil and see if the oil consumption stops. 10w30 isn't gear oil as a lot would believe and I have used it in a lot of cars spec'd for 5w20 without issue. I would not be aginst even using a 15w40 or 5w40 oil in it. I had a old Cadillac that used oil, and smoked when I bought it. I ran 15w40 Delvac in it and it stopped smoking and burning oil. I put over 30,000 miles on that car and it ran like a top when I sold it.
A couple things.
1. Go to Walmart and pick up two bottles of Regane High Mileage. You have a 25 gallon tank. Refill with premium (91/93) octane near empty, and pour both bottles in.
2. No reason to be scared of seal swelling. I really like Mobil 1 High Mileage, and the 5w30 version you need is available for $25/5qts. @ Walmart -- pick it up when you get the Regane.
1. Go to Walmart and pick up two bottles of Regane High Mileage. You have a 25 gallon tank. Refill with premium (91/93) octane near empty, and pour both bottles in.
2. No reason to be scared of seal swelling. I really like Mobil 1 High Mileage, and the 5w30 version you need is available for $25/5qts. @ Walmart -- pick it up when you get the Regane.
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
A couple things.
1. Go to Walmart and pick up two bottles of Regane High Mileage. You have a 25 gallon tank. Refill with premium (91/93) octane near empty, and pour both bottles in.
2. No reason to be scared of seal swelling. I really like Mobil 1 High Mileage, and the 5w30 version you need is available for $25/5qts. @ Walmart -- pick it up when you get the Regane.
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
A couple things.
1. Go to Walmart and pick up two bottles of Regane High Mileage. You have a 25 gallon tank. Refill with premium (91/93) octane near empty, and pour both bottles in.
2. No reason to be scared of seal swelling. I really like Mobil 1 High Mileage, and the 5w30 version you need is available for $25/5qts. @ Walmart -- pick it up when you get the Regane.
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
They're both PEA fuel system cleaners.
So, you've ran Techron before. No effect on pinging?
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
They're both PEA fuel system cleaners.
So, you've ran Techron before. No effect on pinging?
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: gregk24
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
They're both PEA fuel system cleaners.
So, you've ran Techron before. No effect on pinging?
Correct, no effect on the ping but it did help the hard starting it was having. Used to take 2 or 3 tries to start.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
What does Regane HM do? Techron basically or something different? Ive use Techron before in this van with good results.
They're both PEA fuel system cleaners.
So, you've ran Techron before. No effect on pinging?
Correct, no effect on the ping but it did help the hard starting it was having. Used to take 2 or 3 tries to start.
I have the 3.5 and 3.4 and use Mobil 1 0w40 and a Fram Ultra Guard. With that being said, I would do 1 year OCI's starting in the Summer. Buy them both at Walmart for under 35 bucks....
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Correct, no effect on the ping but it did help the hard starting it was having. Used to take 2 or 3 tries to start.
A quick search shows me you've discussed this issue at length on here -- I'll refrain from commenting further.
Correct, no effect on the ping but it did help the hard starting it was having. Used to take 2 or 3 tries to start.
A quick search shows me you've discussed this issue at length on here -- I'll refrain from commenting further.
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
truth hurts...
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Thought of Max Life, but I dont want to swell seals or do anything like that.
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about that product in that regard. It is SN/GF-5 and dexos1, after all. If the oil meets the specifications you require, it should not be an issue.
Thought of Max Life, but I dont want to swell seals or do anything like that.
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about that product in that regard. It is SN/GF-5 and dexos1, after all. If the oil meets the specifications you require, it should not be an issue.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
what's that supposed to mean? Anyone can follow the manual. I like hearing "real Life" stories and theories of what happens. I want to hear the witchcraft methods, not a chemical breakdown theory of lab testing and what a car maker suggests to use in a engine in desert to Siberia. We are fine tuning ideas from everyone and everywhere.
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
what's that supposed to mean? Anyone can follow the manual. I like hearing "real Life" stories and theories of what happens. I want to hear the witchcraft methods, not a chemical breakdown theory of lab testing and what a car maker suggests to use in a engine in desert to Siberia. We are fine tuning ideas from everyone and everywhere.
Any owner out of warranty can do whatever he wants.
I also like Maxlife for tired engines. It works very well in a variety of old cars we have here and in our extended family and workers fleets. Cheap and plentiful.
For 4 decades we have always simply gone up a grade if and when an old engine began to use oil. Typically it stops it dead.
I'd be much more worried about that consistent pinging, that can cause a lot of damage if it is severe enough...
I also like Maxlife for tired engines. It works very well in a variety of old cars we have here and in our extended family and workers fleets. Cheap and plentiful.
For 4 decades we have always simply gone up a grade if and when an old engine began to use oil. Typically it stops it dead.
I'd be much more worried about that consistent pinging, that can cause a lot of damage if it is severe enough...
Originally Posted By: The Critic
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
Thanks for the disqualifier.....so Mola is the only one left in the bathtub after you just threw everyone else out
GM Dexos 1 approved oil - follow OLM.
No one on this forum, with the exception of Molakule possibly, has the qualifications to accurately comment on this matter.
Thanks for the disqualifier.....so Mola is the only one left in the bathtub after you just threw everyone else out
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Any owner out of warranty can do whatever he wants.
I also like Maxlife for tired engines. It works very well in a variety of old cars we have here and in our extended family and workers fleets. Cheap and plentiful.
For 4 decades we have always simply gone up a grade if and when an old engine began to use oil. Typically it stops it dead.
I'd be much more worried about that consistent pinging, that can cause a lot of damage if it is severe enough...
I am worried about the ping, mechanic has been confronted about it more than once and they couldnt find anything. They looked at me like I had two heads about the whole thing. I replaced a knock sensor and it did no good. Techron had no effect either, Ive been running premium fuel for the higher octane but it hasnt stopped the ping. Oh! and when I disconnect the knock sensor (the new one) The pinging stops completely, it does loose tons of power though.
Any owner out of warranty can do whatever he wants.
I also like Maxlife for tired engines. It works very well in a variety of old cars we have here and in our extended family and workers fleets. Cheap and plentiful.
For 4 decades we have always simply gone up a grade if and when an old engine began to use oil. Typically it stops it dead.
I'd be much more worried about that consistent pinging, that can cause a lot of damage if it is severe enough...
I am worried about the ping, mechanic has been confronted about it more than once and they couldnt find anything. They looked at me like I had two heads about the whole thing. I replaced a knock sensor and it did no good. Techron had no effect either, Ive been running premium fuel for the higher octane but it hasnt stopped the ping. Oh! and when I disconnect the knock sensor (the new one) The pinging stops completely, it does loose tons of power though.
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You need a scan tool to look at individual cylinders for the KR values.
If it's just one cylinder you have an issue that is potentially serious and can easily fracture the top ring or even more serious damage over time.
Continued very light ping hurts nothing but heavy sure can...
If it's just one cylinder you have an issue that is potentially serious and can easily fracture the top ring or even more serious damage over time.
Continued very light ping hurts nothing but heavy sure can...
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
what's that supposed to mean? Anyone can follow the manual. I like hearing "real Life" stories and theories of what happens. I want to hear the witchcraft methods, not a chemical breakdown theory of lab testing and what a car maker suggests to use in a engine in desert to Siberia. We are fine tuning ideas from everyone and everywhere.
Real life stories add little value to the big picture. Think about it -- you are considering one data point. We do not know the history of the vehicle, the circumstances behind the situation, the accuracy of the information being gathered, etc. We're basically trying to make decisions off of inaccurate data, and few of us have the engineering background in tribology and engine design to consider all relevant variables.
Quite frankly, this section is more for entertainment value and the only honest and responsible answer is to point people to the owner's manual.
what's that supposed to mean? Anyone can follow the manual. I like hearing "real Life" stories and theories of what happens. I want to hear the witchcraft methods, not a chemical breakdown theory of lab testing and what a car maker suggests to use in a engine in desert to Siberia. We are fine tuning ideas from everyone and everywhere.
Real life stories add little value to the big picture. Think about it -- you are considering one data point. We do not know the history of the vehicle, the circumstances behind the situation, the accuracy of the information being gathered, etc. We're basically trying to make decisions off of inaccurate data, and few of us have the engineering background in tribology and engine design to consider all relevant variables.
Quite frankly, this section is more for entertainment value and the only honest and responsible answer is to point people to the owner's manual.
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