I purchased a 20 year old Oldsmobile with 145000 miles. All the seals were replaced a month ago. The only oil seepage it has is from the oil pan gasket and it's very minor. Does one assume that because it is this old I should use high mileage given its age or just use conventional? Or would using a synthetic be a good idea?
What Oil In a New 20 Year Old Car?
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Check my sig. All engines are intact except a head gasket for the F150. None use oil between OCI's. The High Mileage fixed a rear seal seep in the F150. It will not work on gaskets (valve covers/oil pan. I use Mobil 1 High Mileage for the HTHS and KV@100C. You can use any 5w30 (recommended) or 10w30 (approved). I would start out with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 but I'm a fanboy. Any Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30 would be my second choice. High Mileage oil probably is not necessary just my choice (favorable results for me).
Being that it's an Oldsmobile and not a Chevy, I recommend _________.
Seriously, what is the model and what engine does it have? Most but not all, GM vehicles from that era say to use a 5W30 I assume.
A conventional oil would work great.
The Olds Aurora has a much different engine than the other Olds models.
Seriously, what is the model and what engine does it have? Most but not all, GM vehicles from that era say to use a 5W30 I assume.
A conventional oil would work great.
The Olds Aurora has a much different engine than the other Olds models.
I would start with the cheapest oil with a starburst and keep an eye on everything for a month. Since you say "all seals were replaced" that has me puzzled because who replaces a front and rear seal and has a pan gasket leak in a month?
As I mentioned from one of your previous threads on this vehicle, my BIL had a '96 Delta 88 w/3.8L V6 as well.
He ran 15W40 most of the time, and often in our brutal winters. However, if he did use a thinner oil for the winter, it'd be 10W30 and NEVER used synthetic. This engine was pushing ~200K miles when he sold 6-7 years ago.
He ran 15W40 most of the time, and often in our brutal winters. However, if he did use a thinner oil for the winter, it'd be 10W30 and NEVER used synthetic. This engine was pushing ~200K miles when he sold 6-7 years ago.
A on sale 5W30 will work just as well as anything in this instance.
Originally Posted by Mark72
I purchased a 20 year old Oldsmobile with 145000 miles. All the seals were replaced a month ago. The only oil seepage it has is from the oil pan gasket and it's very minor. Does one assume that because it is this old I should use high mileage given its age or just use conventional? Or would using a synthetic be a good idea?
Does it use / burn any oil ?
If it were me , and if I decided to try synthetic oil , I would start out with 1 quart of synthetic + the remainder conventional of the same brand . Each oil change , add 1 more quart of synthetic and 1 less of conventional .
If you have any problem , go back the other way .
We have a 2006 Buick 3.8l with a little over 42,000 miles ( purchased in 2017 ) on the clock . It does not require DEXOS , so , I have used name brand 5w30 conventional oil .
So far , so good .
I purchased a 20 year old Oldsmobile with 145000 miles. All the seals were replaced a month ago. The only oil seepage it has is from the oil pan gasket and it's very minor. Does one assume that because it is this old I should use high mileage given its age or just use conventional? Or would using a synthetic be a good idea?
Does it use / burn any oil ?
If it were me , and if I decided to try synthetic oil , I would start out with 1 quart of synthetic + the remainder conventional of the same brand . Each oil change , add 1 more quart of synthetic and 1 less of conventional .
If you have any problem , go back the other way .
We have a 2006 Buick 3.8l with a little over 42,000 miles ( purchased in 2017 ) on the clock . It does not require DEXOS , so , I have used name brand 5w30 conventional oil .
So far , so good .
On a 20 year old car, I don't see the point of starting now to use a full synthetic. I'd stick with a high mileage syn blend 5w30, much better than what was available 20 years ago.
Originally Posted by NormanBuntz
On a 20 year old car, I don't see the point of starting now to use a full synthetic. I'd stick with a high mileage syn blend 5w30, much better than what was available 20 years ago.
I totally agree with this.
On a 20 year old car, I don't see the point of starting now to use a full synthetic. I'd stick with a high mileage syn blend 5w30, much better than what was available 20 years ago.
I totally agree with this.
Seems like a perfect candidate for:
![[Linked Image]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71C6P5Wh-0L._SY550_.jpg "[Linked Image]")
When I bought my Cutlass Ciera, it only had 55K miles, but showed some signs of neglect. With all my previous cars I always used Valvoline or Pennzoil. Never before considered a store brand oil.
This time I thought I would try a less expensive oil. I started with SuperTech 5w30 non high mileage and an ACDelco non-ecore filter, with short change intervals, about 2k. I drive about 600 miles a week, all highway.
When it was staying relatively clean with that interval, I pulled the valve cover and verified it was clean. I started pushing out the interval and now am at approx 4-5K per change. Seeing as it did just fine on that diet, I have continued running SuperTech and put the savings on oil into repairs and fuel.
This time I thought I would try a less expensive oil. I started with SuperTech 5w30 non high mileage and an ACDelco non-ecore filter, with short change intervals, about 2k. I drive about 600 miles a week, all highway.
When it was staying relatively clean with that interval, I pulled the valve cover and verified it was clean. I started pushing out the interval and now am at approx 4-5K per change. Seeing as it did just fine on that diet, I have continued running SuperTech and put the savings on oil into repairs and fuel.
Originally Posted by Fifth87
When I bought my Cutlass Ciera, it only had 55K miles, but showed some signs of neglect. With all my previous cars I always used Valvoline or Pennzoil. Never before considered a store brand oil.
This time I thought I would try a less expensive oil. I started with SuperTech 5w30 non high mileage and an ACDelco non-ecore filter, with short change intervals, about 2k. I drive about 600 miles a week, all highway.
When it was staying relatively clean with that interval, I pulled the valve cover and verified it was clean. I started pushing out the interval and now am at approx 4-5K per change. Seeing as it did just fine on that diet, I have continued running SuperTech and put the savings on oil into repairs and fuel.
Sound strategy what works and saves money always makes sense.
When I bought my Cutlass Ciera, it only had 55K miles, but showed some signs of neglect. With all my previous cars I always used Valvoline or Pennzoil. Never before considered a store brand oil.
This time I thought I would try a less expensive oil. I started with SuperTech 5w30 non high mileage and an ACDelco non-ecore filter, with short change intervals, about 2k. I drive about 600 miles a week, all highway.
When it was staying relatively clean with that interval, I pulled the valve cover and verified it was clean. I started pushing out the interval and now am at approx 4-5K per change. Seeing as it did just fine on that diet, I have continued running SuperTech and put the savings on oil into repairs and fuel.
Sound strategy what works and saves money always makes sense.
Anything 5w30 and make sure it is topped off for 5k OCI.
Sludge as all light ends have evaporated
You didn't mention if you intend to keep it for the long term or just keep it going day to day. Given your location and the age of the vehicle, 5w30 in the winter and 10w30 in the summer might make sense. Those were the recommendations for my 2001 Volvo.
A decent HDEO Full Synthetic 0W-30, and you can probably join me in running mega-intervals, ie: 50k+ miles (no, that's no typo -- I'm at 58k miles since my last oil change!). On either the 3800 or the 2.8/3.1/3100 engines, assuming proper surveillance for the dreaded internal coolant leaks.
Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by pitzel
(no, that's no typo -- I'm at 58k miles since my last oil change!)
What engine?
Which oil?
What oil filter(s)?
How many quarts of oil used is a prudent question.
Originally Posted by pitzel
(no, that's no typo -- I'm at 58k miles since my last oil change!)
What engine?
Which oil?
What oil filter(s)?
How many quarts of oil used is a prudent question.
Originally Posted by Mark72
I purchased a 20 year old Oldsmobile with 145000 miles. All the seals were replaced a month ago. The only oil seepage it has is from the oil pan gasket and it's very minor. Does one assume that because it is this old I should use high mileage given its age or just use conventional? Or would using a synthetic be a good idea?
Synthetic is always a good idea and never is a bad idea, especially if the car is old so that you can reduce the corrosion in the engine.
I purchased a 20 year old Oldsmobile with 145000 miles. All the seals were replaced a month ago. The only oil seepage it has is from the oil pan gasket and it's very minor. Does one assume that because it is this old I should use high mileage given its age or just use conventional? Or would using a synthetic be a good idea?
Synthetic is always a good idea and never is a bad idea, especially if the car is old so that you can reduce the corrosion in the engine.
Originally Posted by PimTac
Originally Posted by NormanBuntz
On a 20 year old car, I don't see the point of starting now to use a full synthetic. I'd stick with a high mileage syn blend 5w30, much better than what was available 20 years ago.
I totally agree with this.
I agree too ^^^^^^
Originally Posted by NormanBuntz
On a 20 year old car, I don't see the point of starting now to use a full synthetic. I'd stick with a high mileage syn blend 5w30, much better than what was available 20 years ago.
I totally agree with this.
I agree too ^^^^^^
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