Amazed at mechanics comments
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Amazed at mechanics comments
I took my GMC 1500 to my mechanic to have him take a look at my valve covers as they are saturated with oil from the top, of all places. I had no idea how in hell oil was getting all over them from the top until my mechanic pointed out that it's simply from oil getting flung up and making its way through the bolt holes on top since the rubber grommets are probably old.
I mentioned to him that the quick lube place I take it to has been putting Pennzoil in it for the past 5 years and asked him if I should worry about using Pennzoil in it, and asked "nothing wrong with Pennzoil right?". To which he replied... "if that's what you like" in a sarcastic tone. I know he is a Valvoline/Castrol user.
The point I'm getting at is that I love how all these mechanics make comments like that but have no damn clue what they are talking about. He's used Valvoline his entire life and never had an issue, so based on that, he puts his nose in the air when it comes to Pennz. And so the story goes with any other guy who prefers a certain brand of oil. All others are inferior. It's so rediculous.
I mentioned to him that the quick lube place I take it to has been putting Pennzoil in it for the past 5 years and asked him if I should worry about using Pennzoil in it, and asked "nothing wrong with Pennzoil right?". To which he replied... "if that's what you like" in a sarcastic tone. I know he is a Valvoline/Castrol user.
The point I'm getting at is that I love how all these mechanics make comments like that but have no damn clue what they are talking about. He's used Valvoline his entire life and never had an issue, so based on that, he puts his nose in the air when it comes to Pennz. And so the story goes with any other guy who prefers a certain brand of oil. All others are inferior. It's so rediculous.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Douglasville,GA
Originally Posted by grbr95
I took my GMC 1500 to my mechanic to have him take a look at my valve covers as they are saturated with oil from the top, of all places. I had no idea how in hell oil was getting all over them from the top until my mechanic pointed out that it's simply from oil getting flung up and making its way through the bolt holes on top since the rubber grommets are probably old.
I mentioned to him that the quick lube place I take it to has been putting Pennzoil in it for the past 5 years and asked him if I should worry about using Pennzoil in it, and asked "nothing wrong with Pennzoil right?". To which he replied... "if that's what you like" in a sarcastic tone. I know he is a Valvoline/Castrol user.
The point I'm getting at is that I love how all these mechanics make comments like that but have no damn clue what they are talking about. He's used Valvoline his entire life and never had an issue, so based on that, he puts his nose in the air when it comes to Pennz. And so the story goes with any other guy who prefers a certain brand of oil. All others are inferior. It's so rediculous.
I mentioned to him that the quick lube place I take it to has been putting Pennzoil in it for the past 5 years and asked him if I should worry about using Pennzoil in it, and asked "nothing wrong with Pennzoil right?". To which he replied... "if that's what you like" in a sarcastic tone. I know he is a Valvoline/Castrol user.
The point I'm getting at is that I love how all these mechanics make comments like that but have no damn clue what they are talking about. He's used Valvoline his entire life and never had an issue, so based on that, he puts his nose in the air when it comes to Pennz. And so the story goes with any other guy who prefers a certain brand of oil. All others are inferior. It's so rediculous.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
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From: Southern California
Unfortunately too many people are insecure in the choices they make. It seems like they feel they have to 'hate' something else to justify to themselves that they made the right choice. Saves them from having to think. Or worse yet, admitting that consumer goods are just 'stuff' and really doesn't define who we are. Yikes, armchair psychology!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
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From: Bossier City, LA
Scott, Grb, that line of thinking is why he is still "Just A Mechanic". Open mindedness, education, willingness to try, when failure is almost assured is what would have elevated him to something spectacular. He will make a decent living as a mechanic, but will always be living in the shadow of could have, should have, would have. Personal opinions or personal beliefs are fine, most customers can do without the sarcasm though. I have plenty of friends who I could have done the same as was done to you. Instead of roll my eyes and make a sarcastic comment, I showed them a set of pistons, a set of cylinder heads, a set of cylinders. Gave them my mics, and my original build mic sheet, and the subsequent teardown and as left specs. Then asked if they saw anything wrong with the oil I was using for the HP I was making. All said no, then I said, see $1.39 qt. vs $5.95 qt. really is more of a question if you would rather eat hamburger or steak on Friday night, cause the brand of oil you run is usually preferance more than performance.
Ryan
Ryan
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 320
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Retards make comments like that.
I own a shop and, believe me, I have to listen to nonsense spouted off by mechanics all day, every day. They do have some good sense, in terms of what is easy to work on and what's not, and also in what kinds of trends they see with certain vehicles having common problems, but with things like oil and filters, they simply don't have the education and/or the theoretical understanding necessary to make intelligent, informed statements.
This does NOT apply to ALL mechanics, but it does apply to MANY.
This does NOT apply to ALL mechanics, but it does apply to MANY.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 128
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From: Michigan City, Indiana
i had always used Pennzoil in all my vehicals until one time i decided to try out castrol, and it seems to be better, Pennzoil seemed to turn black in my old GMC motor almost instantly where the castrol stayed the "honey" color almost until my next change
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
i had always used Pennzoil in all my vehicals until one time i decided to try out castrol, and it seems to be better, Pennzoil seemed to turn black in my old GMC motor almost instantly where the castrol stayed the "honey" color almost until my next change
that proves nothing nor should you base a oil on color changing properties. the color changing is the oil cleaning and suspending the particles in the oil so it is safe to say the castrol has less cleaning and suspension abilities.
that proves nothing nor should you base a oil on color changing properties. the color changing is the oil cleaning and suspending the particles in the oil so it is safe to say the castrol has less cleaning and suspension abilities.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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I've been running Pennzoil in my truck for about 5 years now. No oil consumption or unusal valve/lifter noise. I am very happy with it and use it in my wife's new car. Of course I will also use Valvoline or Castrol if its on sale.
Bottom line: Look for the API Starburst on the container. No starburst, no purchase.
Bottom line: Look for the API Starburst on the container. No starburst, no purchase.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: near pittsburgh pa
I have always changed oil around 2000 miles on good engines, had a couple cars on way out and oil change was more then car worth.
My mechanic at work , big trucks, swears on not changing brand. Other then racecar and new 05 5.4 I would not always stay loyal to brand. I know a big part in my success was changing oil regularly.
Any studies or good thoughts on brand loyalty?
My mechanic at work , big trucks, swears on not changing brand. Other then racecar and new 05 5.4 I would not always stay loyal to brand. I know a big part in my success was changing oil regularly.
Any studies or good thoughts on brand loyalty?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by dkstuck
I have always changed oil around 2000 miles on good engines, had a couple cars on way out and oil change was more then car worth.
My mechanic at work , big trucks, swears on not changing brand. Other then racecar and new 05 5.4 I would not always stay loyal to brand. I know a big part in my success was changing oil regularly.
Any studies or good thoughts on brand loyalty?
My mechanic at work , big trucks, swears on not changing brand. Other then racecar and new 05 5.4 I would not always stay loyal to brand. I know a big part in my success was changing oil regularly.
Any studies or good thoughts on brand loyalty?
As long as you use the correct OCI, with a quality oil filter, and most importantly, the CORRECT viscosity of oil, the brand is secondary, pratically a "non issue". Just make sure it's a SM oil (SL still okay) with the starburst symbol "For gasoline engines" and you'll be fine. Ed
Senior User
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I second Ed's comments.
All oils are required to meet certain detergent, viscosity, anti-foaming, etc. tests before they can receive the Starburst. I would shop for ILSAC GF-4 and SM approval in addition to the Starburst. These are the most recent API requirements and will exceed previous requirements.
Brand loyalty is not necessarily paramount to long engine life IMO. Frequent ol changes using a quality oil that meets manufacturer's requirements with a quality filter are all that's required.
All oils are required to meet certain detergent, viscosity, anti-foaming, etc. tests before they can receive the Starburst. I would shop for ILSAC GF-4 and SM approval in addition to the Starburst. These are the most recent API requirements and will exceed previous requirements.
Brand loyalty is not necessarily paramount to long engine life IMO. Frequent ol changes using a quality oil that meets manufacturer's requirements with a quality filter are all that's required.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 621
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From: near pittsburgh pa
I never thought much about brand loyalty (did quit using quakr state due to moisture under valve covers long ago) Just was wondering if anybody had proof for or against sticking to same label oil? Wear additives, anti foaming or whatever's
Open to comments, opinion's and really good facts!!
Open to comments, opinion's and really good facts!!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 166
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Originally Posted by dkstuck
I never thought much about brand loyalty (did quit using quakr state due to moisture under valve covers long ago) Just was wondering if anybody had proof for or against sticking to same label oil? Wear additives, anti foaming or whatever's
Open to comments, opinion's and really good facts!!
Open to comments, opinion's and really good facts!!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
I will tell you that I have personally run penzoil, and have rebuilt engines that had nothing but penzoil run in them, now hte disclaimer here this was almost 20yrs ago but I found that if the vehicle was run long distances like 25 miles at a time freeway no problems but if the vehicle was used mostly in town they were all sludged up. now I know that there will be people that swear I am full of it and that is fine run whatever you like but it's not been in one of my engines since I started noticing that.