Why does my mechanic tell me not to use syn?
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If your current service regimen is giving results that good, why do you want to change?
Ask him! Maybe he is concerned about the oil pan seepage turning into a leak as the synthetic oil may clean up the petroleum coating on the gasket and cause it to leak. It might, and it might not. If it leaks, just replace it. If that is too difficult, then try a high mileage petroleum oil that "plugs" leaks.
Why try to fix it if it's not broken? That would be my guess.
What have you been using?
What have you been using?
Ever since I've become a BITOG memember, I've flip-flopped between Havoline, Valvoline All Climate, Castrol GTX, and Mobil Clean 5000. OF those 4 brands...I truly wish I could narrow it down to using just one, but with all the back and forth #@$%! I keep reading, I've come to realize there really is no answer.
Modern widely marketed synthetics do not have the same level of problems with increased oil usage/leakage as do synthetics of years gone by, as they are typically no more than group III oils with excellent additive packs.
They are good oils, however in your application, i would tend to agree for reasons of increased expense at minimal gains. If maintained properly, the cheapest Quakerstate, FormulaShell, or Superflo you can find on sale should take your car many many more miles.
Regardless of what oil you use, i'd get that oil pan gasket replaced. It should be a very inexpensive job.
They are good oils, however in your application, i would tend to agree for reasons of increased expense at minimal gains. If maintained properly, the cheapest Quakerstate, FormulaShell, or Superflo you can find on sale should take your car many many more miles.
Regardless of what oil you use, i'd get that oil pan gasket replaced. It should be a very inexpensive job.
Why don't all you guys just use Pennzoil Platinum group III syn or Maxlife Syn blend and forget all the other garbage...
In a 95 lumina, I'd use any oil with an SM rating.
Whatever it is, you'll get great results.
An SM oil is better than anything it rolled out of the factory with.
Whatever it is, you'll get great results.
An SM oil is better than anything it rolled out of the factory with.
Actually, it's quite funny, but to replace the oil pan gasket on the Chev Lumina is extremely labor intense I found. You have to remove a lot of parts beneath the motor just to get to it. It's not a simple bolt off/bolt on job. This oil seapage from the pan is so minor, that I notice no movement on the stick between changes.
Replacing the oil pan on the GM W-cars, IIRC, involves pulling the engine up and slightly out of the car. I think there are two ways that it can be done, but both require alot of work and would be very expensive.
I'd chose an oil that would not predispose you to a leak from this gasket.
I'd chose an oil that would not predispose you to a leak from this gasket.
I absolutely wouldn't put synthetic, especially Mobil-1, into a vehicle which already has oil seaping past one or more gaskets or seals. You would just be asking for more trouble.
I would keep running conventional oils or even try one of the high mileage type oils.
I would keep running conventional oils or even try one of the high mileage type oils.
If I were you I would stick with Castrol GTX as it is a very good oil and can work well for your situation.
Your mechanic is right; besides, if you use syn, you might not see your mechanic as often for oil changes!
I just Mobil 1 HM in my Subaru. It used to leak alot. Thus far it hasn't, but it's only been in there for 48 hours. I also just finished an ARX'ing.
Jeeeezzz... Who would design an engine and chassis like that? Oh wait, that's right, it's a GM
Just tighten the pan bolts and use whatever oil you want.
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