Switched to Mobil 1, SAE 10W-30, this past weekend, in a 195,000 mile engine.

That would be the last component of the powertrain to go synthetic.

The only reason I waited this long are the leakage and compatibility problems, and it sounds as though Mobil 1 has that problem licked--plus, I recently replaced the rear main seal, and the rest of the engine gaskets are fairly easily accessed
should the develop leaks.

I plan on changing filters at 1,000, 2,000, then 3,000 mile intervals. The immediate closer spacing is due to the superior detergent ability of the synthetic cleaning out the engine and overburdening the filter; that shouldn't be much of a problem-I've always changed oil and filter at 2,500-4,000 mile intervals, and the last time I had the valve cover off--CLEAN!

Do I have this right? Comments?

 

Sounds OK. Maybe a little overkill on the filters but no harm in it.

Assuming the engine is in good shape and you don't already have leaks, you should be OK.

I have been using Mobil1 in my cars for over 20 years and never had a problem. Of course I can't complain about regular dino oil either, but I think the synthetics give me a big margin of safety.

Jim Henderson

 

Ever since I witnessed a oil lubrication demonstration with Mobil 1 compared to regular Mobil oil I was sold on synthetic. It was a simple test machine that had a lever arm that held a small metal pin (test sample) and a rotating hardened steel wheel that sits in a small oil bath. The first example was the regular oil in the oil bath and the volunteer pulls down on the lever arm pressing the metal sample hard against the rotating wheel. This instantly gouged a notch into the metal sample. The second example used the Mobil 1 in the oil bath and a new metal sample then repeated the process. This time the volunteer had to really pull down hard on the lever for a long time just make a small mark in the metal sample.

Any way, I use synthetic oil (Mobil 1) when ever it's practical to use like in new vehicles, vehicles that don't burn or leak oil, lawnmower and snow blower. I have not owned a machine/vehicle for long period of time to tell if the Mobil 1 has prolonged it's life but I swear I have noticed a small increase in fuel economy and all the engines start and run better.

 

Agreed. I figured mileage on a fill up yesterday, the first since the switch, and it's up to 14 from 12. (Stop'n'go city traffic and 4.10 gears...)

Maybe it's just me, but it seems to run a lot smoother, too.

Eddie

 

Yeah I got a question about changing from dino to synthetic oil. I got an '85 302 efi, and i think it might be having bearing problems. Been on dino oil all its life. Would switching over to synthertic now cause any leaks or other problems? Or is it just gonna be too hard to tell. Oh btw 136,000 miles.
Dave

 

If you suspect bearing problems, the Mobil 1 may not help and it might leak. Why do you suspect bearing problems? Noise, low oil pressure, what? The best bet is to fix the bearing.

If a bearing is loose, the Mobile 1 might flow too quickly out of that bearing and starve the rest of the engine. A thicker oil may be a better choice as a temporary fix.

If the bearings are scored, the Mobile 1 may or may not extend the life of that bearing. A thicker oil might help "cushion" the bearing, while Mobil 1 might give better scuff protection. I am not an expert so I don't know the tradeoff.

Mobil 1 probably won't fix a bad problem and it is really better to use in an engine in good shape so that the engine has a longer service life. Once the service life is gone it probably doesn't matter whether you use dino or sunthetic. The main concern on a worn engine is probably oil being too thin.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I have researched synthetics for about three years. I have contacted research engineers and independent test labs. I have been to hundreds if not thousands of sites about oils and (NO I AM NOT A DEALER!!!!!) have found the AMZOIL without a doubt won hands down. A moving company in Las Vegas NV (Allied on Cheyenne Blvd) uses it total in thier rigs. I put it in my F250 PSD and change the filter at 9000 and the oil at 18000. Our Ambulance companies use the same and change the same. No real improvement on the MPG but have noticed a better start-up. By the way if you live in the colder areas the big rig companies recommend HOWES diesel additive, it does work.

 

Hundreds of sites seem to repeat same the oil test document that is not only out of date, but was originally written by an Amsoil dealer. No use in spending twice as much for a good synthetic simply so you can line to pocket of an MLM network.

 

I used to use Mobil 1 10W-30 on 87 Toyota Supra Turbo. While going over the mountain on I-70, the car overheated to the point where it died (turned out to be due to low coolent). When I opened the hood up, the turbo was glowing red! So I figured my motor and the turbo was shot, but after I got the coolent filled up, the engine ran fine and the turbo boosted up without any problems. Now I run synthetic on all my cars and truck.

 

I'm not a dealer, but I've held Amsoil in high regard for quite some time.

That being said, I have used Mobil 1 in my cars, and in my current truck, since the disparity between dino-oil and synthetic is so huge, but the difference between high quality synthetics is not. Some day I may switch over to Amsoil when I have the money, but until then it will be Mobil 1.

My last car (sold 4 days ago) was a Mazda with 138,000 on the original turbo. Remember when turbos only lasted 60k to 80k miles in the 1980's? I believe it's the difference in oil that saved mine.

Ok, so webmaster's post is a good point here, especially after the conversation I just had with a guys at work tonight. I hafta agree that Amsoil information, brochures and (most importantly) distribution is so prevalent that many people automatically assume the standings of synthetic oil performances is just as Amsoil claims.
That being said, Amsoil's current claim (the last time I checked) put all synthetics as improving, but Mobil 1 swithced to third place and Castrol to second. The one we don't hear much about is Redline's oil.
I just spoke to a gentleman tonight who (while perhaps a bit 'off') has done a good bit of studying into the subject. (to the point of going to local Society of Automotive Engineers meetings on the P.S.U. campus)(SAE is now based in my old hometown of Cranberry Township, PA)

He claims that the prevalent tests we hear about (primarily the four-bearing test) is Amsoil's favorite because they come out on top. However; he claims Redline comes out on top in at least one other test which is more representative of motorized applications.

What does this mean? Well, it merely means a few definitive, and wholly independant, tests still need to be done. It also means there is more to the picture than what we're constantly handed by companies which have their distribution lines figured out. (No, Amsoil isn't distributed like Mobil 1, Castrol, etc., but they certainly have their information, name and product out there more than does Redline or that Purple-something synthetic (Royal Purple?).

Hopefully I'll be able to look into the local S.A.E. meetings and I'll ask a few questions on the tests those guys have done.

 

>I'm not a dealer, but I've held Amsoil in high regard for
>quite some time.
>
>That being said, I have used Mobil 1 in my cars, and in my
>current truck, since the disparity between dino-oil and
>synthetic is so huge, but the difference between high
>quality synthetics is not. Some day I may switch over to
>Amsoil when I have the money, but until then it will be
>Mobil 1.
>
>My last car (sold 4 days ago) was a Mazda with 138,000 on
>the original turbo. Remember when turbos only lasted 60k to
>80k miles in the 1980's? I believe it's the difference in
>oil that saved mine.
>
>Ok, so webmaster's post is a good point here, especially
>after the conversation I just had with a guys at work
>tonight. I hafta agree that Amsoil information, brochures
>and (most importantly) distribution is so prevalent
>that many people automatically assume the standings of
>synthetic oil performances is just as Amsoil claims.
>That being said, Amsoil's current claim (the last time I
>checked) put all synthetics as improving, but Mobil 1
>swithced to third place and Castrol to second. The one we
>don't hear much about is Redline's oil.
>I just spoke to a gentleman tonight who (while perhaps a bit
>'off') has done a good bit of studying into the subject.
>(to the point of going to local Society of Automotive
>Engineers meetings on the P.S.U. campus)(SAE is now based in
>my old hometown of Cranberry Township, PA)
>
>He claims that the prevalent tests we hear about
>(primarily the four-bearing test) is Amsoil's favorite
>because they come out on top. However; he claims Redline
>comes out on top in at least one other test which is more
>representative of motorized applications.
>
>What does this mean? Well, it merely means a few
>definitive, and wholly independant, tests still need to be
>done. It also means there is more to the picture than what
>we're constantly handed by companies which have their
>distribution lines figured out. (No, Amsoil isn't
>distributed like Mobil 1, Castrol, etc., but they certainly
>have their information, name and product out there more than
>does Redline or that Purple-something synthetic (Royal
>Purple?).
>
>Hopefully I'll be able to look into the local S.A.E.
>meetings and I'll ask a few questions on the tests those
>guys have done.
>

I think that this means that if you go to a Chevy dealer and ask the sales person about the best car out there, he'll say it will be a Chevy car. If you go to an Intel chip salesman and ask him which chip has the best bang per buck, he'll say it will be an Intel chip. The moral of the stroy is that never believe everything a dealer tells you.

 

Until Amsoil enters the competitive marketplace, I will never consider it more than a specialty or enthusiast's application.

The definitive and independant tests by the commercial sector are in. Heavy industry, trucking, aviation and marine users all seem to prefer lubricants provided by the major oil companies. For reliability, performance, economy and ease of attainment.

Lubricants like Amsoil and Redline may indeed be high quality lubricants. But why pay more for them when there are other products more commonly found that perform the same at half the price?

One thing people do not think of: the additives used in the blending of fuel and lubricants. The great majority of the additives used by both the major oil companies and independents are developed and produced by the major oil companies and chemical companies like DuPont.

I prefer to use lubricants provided by companies that have their own research and development departments. They have a great deal invested in their product and have a long history of performance and continued improvement.

Just my opinion, YMMV

 

Are you running a by-pass filter system on your vehicle or are you just using a standard full flow oil filter? 9000 miles between filter changes seems a bit long for a full flow filter. I could be wrong though, my wife usually thinks I am.

 

Hey Horsepuller,what about Amdirt`s claim of outperforming mobil 1 in several areas? Is this just propaganda because Amdirt resents Mobil 1`s domination of the market? I mean after more than 25 years Mobil 1 has to be pretty good right? I know Amdirt loves that 4 ball test because they really shine in it,but they cant be that much better.What is the stuff that mobil 1 uses in their formula that the other companies dont like?..napthalated something?