Changing Oil in my 3.8!! Searched.. need some advice.

[JVT007]

I'm at 56,000 miles and I don't trust what was there before I bought the car. So I'm going to drain it and replace it with Mobil 1 Synthetic. Good idea or no? Also what is the exact name of this oil.. and do I get the 10w30?

Also replacing my filter.. which should I get? And whats this about getting a bigger size? Anyways.. thanks for reading!

[94CaliCamaro]

You're not too high up there in mileage, so it's probably ok to switch(better get a second opinion on that though). Problem I found when I switched to the synthetic is that when I switched I began to notice leaks. Not that it itself caused it, but it was able to leak in places where the regular oil wasn't. Just my experience though. Oil filter, I use the K&N, Im sure the fram and penzoil are good too, but that is just me.
I love changing oil, the gf thinks im weird. Hope this helps a little.

Davy Dave

[jrcamaro96]

Once you change to synthetic oil you shouldn't go back to regular oil. 10w30 is whats recomended for our engines and I use a PF47 delco filter(the small one)

JR

[vtv6firebird]

Well I switched to sythetic about the same miles as you, and I won't lie, I did get a leak. My valve covers started to leak. I replaced the gaskets and it was fine. What happens is synthetics dont make gaskets expand like dino oil does, and it can slip through the cracks easier. There has been some discussion on whether the Mobil 1 is still a full sythetic. It seems that it may be a highly refined dino oil now, or maybe always has been. It is hard to tell, but it is still great by all means, so who cares if it is dino or syn.

As far as the oil filter I use Purolator Pure One, they have recived the best marks from vairous tests, and the anti drain back device works supurb. I cant remember the number, but it is the oversize one, that correlates to a AC Delco PF 52. Have used the oversize for at least a year now, and no probs and have been using mobil 1 for year and half with just the minor valve cover gasket leak.

Hope this answers all your questions.

oh and yes use 10w-30, and I would still change oil every 3000-5000 miles, even though it is syn. I dont buy into the lasting longer stuff, cuz at 3000 miles it still looks pretty nasty when it comes out, better safe then not.

[black98V6]

mobil 1 is supposed to be a true synth where as castrol and penzoil aren't.. I used M1 for 2 oil changes and I have never really liked the outcome..
a few oil leaks to which I never found the source..
and my car just didn't run like I thought it should. ... I started using it around 38k don't know what was used before.. anyway I have gone to regular ole valvoline with no probs.. although after longer trips with extended running I get a wierd rough idle and my oil pressure is around from 45 to 50 or so psi.. I think it has to do with my Free ram air setup but am not sure.. I think it has something to do with sucking in hot air from across the radiator and that makes the idle a little rough which in turn plays with the oil pressure..

edit to complete the thought...

[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: black98V6 ]</p>

[Seppo Kaitainen]

Here's my advice:

5 quarts of Super Tech full synthetic(wally world)
Ac-Delco PF-52 filter(good luck finding this at wally world)

ST is just Valvoline, but cheaper.