Anyone using 0w20 in GM 3.1/3.8 5w30 apps?

[fsskier]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Member fsskier did in his 3.1 or 3.4 minivans for around a 100k miles I believe. No ill effects reported.


Yes....actually for 300,000 miles, beginning at about the 30,000 mile mark. Reported on it here multiple times but here goes again:

1994 3.1 litre Chevrolet APV (plastic minivan) pressed into duties as a severe service tow vehicle, towing a 5,000 lb trailer 4 days a week, often 500 miles or more on weekends.

I used Mobil 1 0W20 exclusively and 20 k oil change intervals after the warranty period. Note that this engine had the throttle body injection, and did not have the leaky intake manifold of later years.

This was (still is) a watershow operation on a semi commercial basis. Then during the winter, the minivan was often off to the mountains for snowskiing, starting with the 0W20 is fantastic at -40 f....you may be the only one in the parking lot to start!

The wifes commuter Escort (1994 also) reached about 300,000 miles at about the same time, 2008, also using only Mobil 1 0W20 the entire time.

I have never had engines run that long and they still seemed like new, did not burn, leak, drip oil and were very quiet. Clearly the longest engine life I have ever experienced. Obviously I would recommend 0W20 for severe service.

I am now using a Toyota Sienna....0W20 and still towing the 5,000 lb watershow boat/trailer combo, entertaining crowds all over the midwest. Only 100,000 miles to report on so far, so far so good!

 

[901Memphis]

Maybe I'll try Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w20 first before I move to the high vi 0w20s.

 

[KCJeep]

Interesting experiences here. I would have to think there was a reason GM did NOT jump on the 20 grade bandwagon long after others had done so. JMO.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Maybe I'll try Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w20 first before I move to the high vi 0w20s.


Mobil 1 HM oils are really good oils. If you want to try a 20 weight, go for it. I still believe a 5W30 in your climate is the best way to go. My son's 3.8 loves 5W30 Maxlife and I have tried many different oils in that engine... I actually have had two cars with the 3.8 and 5W30 was my best choice here in Wisconsin. The 3.1 with its history, would make me stay with a 30 weight... Why take the chance?

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Maybe I'll try Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w20 first before I move to the high vi 0w20s.

Or go with TGMO and substitute a quart of M1 0W-40 to give yourself a heavy 0W-20.
Due to TGMOs very high VI you'll have an oil that's lighter on start-up in your climate than all 5W-20s and most 0W-20s including AFE.
A win-win outcome.

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Interesting experiences here. I would have to think there was a reason GM did NOT jump on the 20 grade bandwagon long after others had done so. JMO.


I recall some one said it was to do with the oil pumping system GM uses.

 

[901Memphis]

My thinking was that these cars are specified with 7,500 mile intervals with API SJ 5w30. The visc of the 5w30 at the end of the oil change had to have been pretty sheared, and suffered no ill effect. Why then could i not start with a more shear stable 0w20 or 5w20 synthetic and just use it the whole interval. I think it will be okay but i have at least 3 jugs of 5w30 i think i need to use up first. PU, Defy, and Peak conventional.

 

[Smokescreen]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
Stay with 5W-30 unless even if you move to Canada.


Fixed it for you.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
My thinking was that these cars are specified with 7,500 mile intervals with API SJ 5w30. The visc of the 5w30 at the end of the oil change had to have been pretty sheared, and suffered no ill effect. Why then could i not start with a more shear stable 0w20 or 5w20 synthetic and just use it the whole interval. I think it will be okay but i have at least 3 jugs of 5w30 i think i need to use up first. PU, Defy, and Peak conventional.


You're following the old "5W30s sheared to 20s, and 20s don't shear mantra"...which is fine if 20s don't shear, but they do.

So I'm not sure that 5W30s shearing to 16s (which some of the synthetic 20s ARE doing) is a logical safe end to the experiment.

 

[901Memphis]

I know 20 grades do shear, but I understand it Di and turbo are the biggest culprits.

From my personal uoa In my buick I saw zero shearing of PP 5w30 and 0 fuel, so I hope to not see the problems in my application. I was actually surprised by my high Flashpoint on my UOA since the sample wasn't even ran very far before draining. I guess my oil temperatures are pretty good and hot.

I know water temperatures get up to 160F in very short order and I have seen at high as 230F before my seconds fan kicks on to bring water back to 200F quick.

Obviously if there in any experiment is will be accompanied with a uoa.


It looked like fsskier did all the testing though in his 3.1, so it should prove ttrouble free.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: fsskier
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Member fsskier did in his 3.1 or 3.4 minivans for around a 100k miles I believe. No ill effects reported.


Yes....actually for 300,000 miles, beginning at about the 30,000 mile mark. Reported on it here multiple times but here goes again:

1994 3.1 litre Chevrolet APV (plastic minivan) pressed into duties as a severe service tow vehicle, towing a 5,000 lb trailer 4 days a week, often 500 miles or more on weekends.

I used Mobil 1 0W20 exclusively and 20 k oil change intervals after the warranty period. Note that this engine had the throttle body injection, and did not have the leaky intake manifold of later years.

This was (still is) a watershow operation on a semi commercial basis. Then during the winter, the minivan was often off to the mountains for snowskiing, starting with the 0W20 is fantastic at -40 f....you may be the only one in the parking lot to start!

The wifes commuter Escort (1994 also) reached about 300,000 miles at about the same time, 2008, also using only Mobil 1 0W20 the entire time.

I have never had engines run that long and they still seemed like new, did not burn, leak, drip oil and were very quiet. Clearly the longest engine life I have ever experienced. Obviously I would recommend 0W20 for severe service.

I am now using a Toyota Sienna....0W20 and still towing the 5,000 lb watershow boat/trailer combo, entertaining crowds all over the midwest. Only 100,000 miles to report on so far, so far so good!


Fsskier is primarily the one that convinced me to try M1 0-20 about 4 years ago in my Fords. Even though he runs around 20K OCIs I'm still at a wimpy 10K.

 

[Al]

3.1/3.4 engines are subject to the infamous Piston Slap. Although it doesn't seem to hurt the engine..20 wt. oil in these engines can't be a good idea.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: fsskier
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Member fsskier did in his 3.1 or 3.4 minivans for around a 100k miles I believe. No ill effects reported.


Yes....actually for 300,000 miles, beginning at about the 30,000 mile mark. Reported on it here multiple times but here goes again:

1994 3.1 litre Chevrolet APV (plastic minivan) pressed into duties as a severe service tow vehicle, towing a 5,000 lb trailer 4 days a week, often 500 miles or more on weekends.

I used Mobil 1 0W20 exclusively and 20 k oil change intervals after the warranty period. Note that this engine had the throttle body injection, and did not have the leaky intake manifold of later years.

This was (still is) a watershow operation on a semi commercial basis. Then during the winter, the minivan was often off to the mountains for snowskiing, starting with the 0W20 is fantastic at -40 f....you may be the only one in the parking lot to start!

The wifes commuter Escort (1994 also) reached about 300,000 miles at about the same time, 2008, also using only Mobil 1 0W20 the entire time.

I have never had engines run that long and they still seemed like new, did not burn, leak, drip oil and were very quiet. Clearly the longest engine life I have ever experienced. Obviously I would recommend 0W20 for severe service.

I am now using a Toyota Sienna....0W20 and still towing the 5,000 lb watershow boat/trailer combo, entertaining crowds all over the midwest. Only 100,000 miles to report on so far, so far so good!


Here is the quote from Fsskier on M1 0-20. OOPS!! This was ment for the 540 RAT blog. Sorry!