When to use a high mileage oil

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted by kschachn
And sorry, my mistake. I thought your picture was down the fill hole not the PCV hole. My comments and picture do not apply to that.

The PCV is connected to a baffle/passageway system in the valve cover. You will see deposits there, they really can't be removed by any cleaning solvent or additive to the oil. The only way to get rid of them is to remove the cover and have it cleaned with strong solvents that wash through the passages in the cover. Generally those passages are covered by a plate that is riveted in place and I have heard of people grinding the rivets off and somehow re-attaching the baffle plate. But I would say that what you're seeing in your picture is normal, this is a cooler spot in the cover and a prime location for deposits to form. Like I said I don't think there is any way an additive is going to wash this area as it is designed to keep the oil from migrating into the PCV valve.


Ah, you caught it. This isn't all that relevant, but you're right, the filler on the 1MZ engine is blocked by the baffle, that has that awful coating.* I've owned two 1MZ cars, and I freaked the first time I saw that, which was right after I got home with my brand new 2001 Highlander. After I returned to the dealer in an agitated state, they explained that it's a coating put on the baffle (apparently for sound absorption -- get a bit out and you'll see it's some type of foam-rubber...). I went home a tad red-faced after we checked several other brand-new cars on the lot, which were of course the same.

And you're right. That stuff inside the OP's PCV opening is NOT the same. That's honest to goodness burned stuff. If it were me, even on an older engine, I'd at least be checking for trouble.

* How dumb is that -- putting an innocent coating that happens to look like sludge right where you can see it through the oil filler...

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by ekpolk

* How dumb is that -- putting an innocent coating that happens to look like sludge right where you can see it through the oil filler...

Truth.... not very wise

A little Berryman B12 spray through the PCV hole will clean a portion of the deposits off.
Just don't get carried away with it.

 

[ka9mnx]

Originally Posted by atikovi

I think the HM oils are just hype by the manufacturers to sell a more expensive product.

1. Mobil1 and Mobil1 HM are the same price.
2. You can switch back and forth as many times as you wish
3. I see no problem with the residue in your picture.
4. Don't use chemical additives to clean the inside of the engine.
5. Your oil consumption is normal.
6. I have had good results with Mobil1 HM (see sig).

 

[anndel]

Don't use those treatments. You changed the PCV valve so see if that helps. If not your piston rings might be worn so other than an engine overhaul, just keep adding oil. HM oils may help very little if at all but you can use it.

 

[SatinSilver]

Maybe use some CRC GDI cleaner for $13 or so at AZ and AA. Works great on non-gdi engines and full of PEA. I'm going to use it in the 05 Matrix in about 500 miles when the next oil change is due. Spray it right in that hole or right in front of the t-body then follow the rest of the directions.

 

[littleant]

I've been using high mileage for the last 60,000 miles. 160,000 on engine. This winter I went with Pennzoil platinum HM 5w30. This oil flows beautifully at -20 this winter. Will see how good it flows at -40 in February.

 

[jbutch]

Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Maybe use some CRC GDI cleaner for $13 or so at AZ and AA. Works great on non-gdi engines and full of PEA. I'm going to use it in the 05 Matrix in about 500 miles when the next oil change is due. Spray it right in that hole or right in front of the t-body then follow the rest of the directions.



Whats PEA?

 

[bbhero]

Originally Posted by PimTac
At 1-1.5 quarts per 5000 miles and at that mileage, I would do nothing. Trying a Kreen or Restore fix just might stir up more problems.



^^^^^

I agree with this way of thinking...


Has far has hm oil being legit... Yeah I believe it is. My car has a very, very l slight seep from backside valve cover... Use Valvoline high mileage and it stopped it. Started to dry up near firewall... and started drying up underneath it.
Went back to regular oil Mobil Super. and sure enough it was back again... I get some Mobil Super high mileage.... And doggone it is works good... Drying up on firewall. So at 255k miles my car is now on this high mileage oil regimen. A bonus though for me.... My car still hardly burns any oil at all in 4k miles. So miniscule that I don't have to account for it.

 

[Puckrobber]

I'm thinking about using MaxLife or Mobil 1 High Mileage for the next change in my Explorer. First change since I purchased it. It has 168,000 miles, so, I figure it won't hurt it any. I wouldn't, however, consider any special "treatments" to go in it. If any engine has made it to high triple-figures, I don't think any magic elixirs will do more than a good oil & filter will.

Just my

 

[ekpolk]

Question: "When to use a high mileage oil?"

And the most cynical answer possible is: right after one is seduced by the HM oil maker's marketing drivel...

I add this for two reasons. First, when these oils started appearing a good long time ago now, they seemed clear in offering two specific benefits. First, increased levels of seal swelling components (IIRC, there are both base oil and additive aspects to this) and increased viscosity over comparable "non HM" counterparts. The plain implication was that these changes would reduce or eliminate leakage and consumption. I could be TOTALLY WRONG about this (selective attention, plain ignorance, whatever...) but it seems that the advertising is now much more vague about specific benefits these oils may offer. Just glancing at Mobil's site, they're typical, and vague. The only "benefit" mentioned for EP-HM is possible sludge reduction with some short OCIs -- but wouldn't any oil do that? Strange, the lack of present specificity.

Second reason for posting: fun.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by jbutch
Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Maybe use some CRC GDI cleaner for $13 or so at AZ and AA. Works great on non-gdi engines and full of PEA. I'm going to use it in the 05 Matrix in about 500 miles when the next oil change is due. Spray it right in that hole or right in front of the t-body then follow the rest of the directions.



Whats PEA?



Layman's term nitrogen.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

It's possible the pcv valve change will help with most of the oil consumption. If it's not leaking anywhere, this is a good bet. My 2010 Sebring has 181k on it right now and the most oil I use between my 6k oil changes is a 1/4 quart at worst. Except for maybe 4-5 oil changes in the past almost 7 years has always been Pennzoil Platinum.

L8R,
Matt

 

[ejes]

I've used Valvoline syn ML HM in one of my cars since new in 2015 since it is the same price as Valvoline regular syn just to see how it does. So far we're at 55k and no issues at all. Also been running it in my 2004 pick up since 2010, no issues and no leaks. It has 93k on it and I started the HM at 40K. Both vehicles are on 5k OCI's.