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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: tmaybee on April 17, 2006, 10:13:04 am

Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: tmaybee on April 17, 2006, 10:13:04 am
I am going to switch my car to Mobil Delvac 1.  I have been using Rotella and Lucas previously.  The car has 470K on it.

I was going to change the oil pump, thrust bearings (while it's accessible) and install a windage tray.  All of the seals were changed with the clutch and lifters.

Is there anything else I need to do?

Thanks,
Trevor
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: BlackTieTD on April 17, 2006, 10:14:16 am
yea, the filter!  ;) :lol:
sounds like you've got it under control. the delvac 1 is a nice oil.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: steve on April 17, 2006, 12:49:32 pm
I don't think you need to do any thing special to go to synthetic, do you?  my engine has 100K on it and I just decided to go synthetic only because it starts so much better with it than with dyno sludge.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: hillfolk'r on April 17, 2006, 03:56:37 pm
Quote from: "steve"
I don't think you need to do any thing special to go to synthetic, do you?  my engine has 100K on it and I just decided to go synthetic only because it starts so much better with it than with dyno sludge.
,nah its an old wifes tale about synthetic makin seals leak,,,,,,,,,ive never seen that happen personally,,and i been doin this a while(wrenchin 4 a livin')
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: stewardc on April 18, 2006, 03:25:49 am
Quote from: "hillfolk'r"
nah its an old wifes tale about synthetic makin seals leak,,,,,,,,,ive never seen that happen personally,,and i been doin this a while(wrenchin 4 a livin')


I'll have to disagree here. I almost ruined 2 engines by doing it. A 1978 Dodge 318 V8 and a 1.6 TD in a 1991 Jetta. Both were changed over at about 100,000km  (60,000 miles). No leaks before and they both leaked like seives after. The rear main seal was the worst on both engines and had to be replaced.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: steve on April 18, 2006, 04:54:46 am
I heard that was a problem when synthetics first came out into mainstream use... (30 years ago?) But since then I heard that they fixed the compatiblity problem.   Everything I've read recently says that you don't need to worry about it.  Interesting...  I guess I'd go for a wait and see approach.  Unless the engine is already being worked on and it's handy to do now.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: 91 ECO on April 18, 2006, 06:59:55 am
I run synthetic in everything except the Jetta.  I switched my wife's Explorer to synthetic at 80,000 miles and my Impala SS at 100,000 miles with no problems.  When I put synthetic in the Jetta at 270,000 miles, she started leaking pretty good.  So I'm sticking with dyno until rebuild time.  Just my .02.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: BlackTieTD on April 18, 2006, 07:30:47 am
any existing sealing issues would be magnified when using a synthetic vs. dyno. if you're engine is sealed up tight, no worries... but as in the case of the above poster, synth could make an existing problem more apparent.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: steve on April 18, 2006, 07:43:07 am
mine leaves droppings with either one...
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: RabbitJockey on April 18, 2006, 09:42:50 am
i switched to synthetic in my 185,000 mile jetta and all it did was make it run better and start easier in the cold, now i don't wanna use anything other than synthetic.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: jtanguay on April 18, 2006, 10:25:56 am
dino comes in 15w40 right.   and your synthetic comes in 0w40 and 5w40.  Once the oil is warmed up it should be fine.   Cold starts are easier because the oil is thinner when cold (main reason why it would leak)  

new engines that have less clearances and call for thinner oils like 0w30/5w30 or even 0w40 or 5w40 wouldn't leak as they are designed for it.

If you could find a full synthetic 15w40 then your oil leaking issues would be gone.  I noticed my engine didn't burn any oil at all after switching to synth, but did leave a few spots on the driveway after a real cold start.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: RabbitJockey on April 18, 2006, 11:22:19 am
yeah that's another thing i thought too, because what ever weight the oil is rated at, is true, whether it's sythetic or its dino.  cause when i told people i was switching they kinda took a step back and looked at me funny, but my motor didn't have any external leaks, it does seem to burn it a little quicker, now but still not burning it fast enough to really feel a need to throw rings in it.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: tmaybee on April 18, 2006, 12:34:41 pm
I forgot to ask previously,

Should I have an engine flush done before I change the oil?
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: jtanguay on April 18, 2006, 01:45:22 pm
Quote from: "tmaybee"
I forgot to ask previously,

Should I have an engine flush done before I change the oil?


if you have a TD, some would say not to do it, as you may unclog particles that could get trapped somewhere else such as turbo bearings, turbo lines etc.  

instead of a flush, i would just recommend driving on the highway for a good 30 mins, then go home and a get the hot oil out right away.

anyone else have anything to say about engine flushes?
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: BlackTieTD on April 18, 2006, 01:47:33 pm
i would have said exactly what you said... so +1 to that.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: steve on April 18, 2006, 02:41:11 pm
I'd rather have a little old oil in there than a little flush left in there.  I don't see a trace of sludge in my engine though so I don't know what I would even try to flush out.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: greggearhead on April 18, 2006, 03:13:22 pm
I don't really go for the flush idea, and as any normal current synthetic is fully compatible with dino stuff, it isn't required.  

That said, on some engines that have been sitting for a very long time or are sludged up a bit, I have run them with some ATF (lotsa detergents apparently) in there getting them up to temp, but no engine loading, and drained it hot.  Seems to help remove some of the sludge/stuck rings, etc.  Your call.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: hillfolk'r on April 18, 2006, 07:59:28 pm
if you want to flush it,,,,dump the oil+filter,and on the refill"flush",use dino oil,with 1 quart of marvelmysteryoil,,,dothis,and run it for a few days,,like 200 miles or so,,dump it and fill w/synth if you want,,dosome research on marvel,,its a naptha based oil,,about 10w,,its a "cleaning oil" basically,,good stuff!!swear by it,not at it,,,,,most of the time,if i knew an oil change was coming up,next week or somethin,,and i was low on oil,,id dump some marvel  to top it off,,,,is says use it in fuel too,,probably add some lube to the crappy diesel we got nowadays,,, :roll:
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: jtanguay on April 18, 2006, 09:33:01 pm
i've seen marvel mystery oil... maybe I'll have to try it sometime!
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: dieselweasel on April 21, 2006, 11:37:50 pm
If you've got 470,000 (kms or gasp...miles?) using conventional oil...why mess with a good thing?
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: 935racer on April 22, 2006, 09:06:59 am
Why do you want to switch? I wouldn't bother but if I was going to I would get it really hot  and than drain it asap.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: steve on April 24, 2006, 12:03:58 pm
I rebuilt the engine at 400k miles.  I used mostly dyno oil untill recently when I studied more about synthetics (and had more money to buy it with).  I do like how it starts and warms up with synthetic oil better than cheap walmart 15W-40.

maybe I'll sell my quantum and get a new jetta.  my parents just got an 04.  MAN is it nice!!!  Powerful, quiet, plenty of useable space.  just debating between the jetta or the passat.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: tmaybee on April 26, 2006, 03:25:26 pm
I wanted to switch for better starts in the winter.  Also, it is running great and I figured it would last longer with the synth.  ...And it has 466km, not miles.

I have another engine with 80Km on it ready to drop in, but I want to see how long this one will go for.
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: jtanguay on April 27, 2006, 04:52:25 pm
$$$ for new jetta's.  You'll love your ride, but miss that extra cash you had, and won't be able to do much if any work on your vehicle yourself :(
oh yea for warranty you'll need to take your car to a garage for oilchanges and keep receipts.  Man new cars are a real hassle :(

one thing I notice with synthetics, is the power.  I don't know if its the placebo or what... but there is a difference!  Winter starts were always easier with synthetic too.  I think it has to do with the fact that it has a much higher TBN than conventional oils, and stays viscous, but runny at the same time, so it can outlast most motor oils.  (notice how your mileage/power decrease the closer you are to your oilchange??? not with synthetic oil!)
Title: Switching to synthetic at 470K
Post by: Rat407 on April 27, 2006, 06:48:24 pm
Quote from: tmaybee
I forgot to ask previously,

Should I have an engine flush done before I change the oil?


I would do an AutoRx treatment.  I have used it in all my vehicles. It brought down the wear metals in my oil analysis after I ran it through my 5.3L in my truck.  It cleans the engine slowly over time and is safe to use. Your engine didn't get dirty over night so what good is a five minute engine flush? If you want to read up more on it go to  bobistheoilguy.com

http://www.auto-rx.com/