Synthetic Oil on a high milage 1mz.

[Dawgz]

So, my car has been getting nothing but conventional oil all this time, i used to have Penzoil in there but i recently switched over to Mobile 1 5000 Conventional with a Pure One Purolator Filter (blue).

My question is, is it safe for me to switch over to a Synthetic oil at the milage im at (82-83K)? Will the seals leak or watever? because i heard synthetics flush the system out of the gunk and wat not and may cause leaks....

IF it is safe to switch over, what types of preperations must i take? what kind of Synthetic is best? what brand? what type? can i still use the Pure One Brand oil filters?



Thanx in advance to anyone who decides to chime in to help.

[theprodigy79]

Synthetics don't cause leaks, they just find them a whole lot easier.

I say go for it. Get an oil flush and refill with synthetic (Redline or Amsoil) or a Group 3 partial synthetic (Pennzoil Platinum, Mobile 1, Castrol Syntex, etc..., keep in mind all these are called "full synthetics" even though they aren't).

What you have heard about synthetics disolving gunk and build-up is absolutely true, so if that's all that's stopping a leak in your car, be prepared to deal with it... 82-83K isn't actually all that high a mileage though, esp for a Toyota so you should be fine. You also gotta consider that the add packs in many synthetics actually help to expand and rejeuvinate seals...

So basically, you'll be fine! Do it and never look back!!! The benefits FAR outweigh the negatives!!!

-James

[theprodigy79]

Also, one of the main problems with the 1MZ/3MZ is caking... Due to the high heats these engines produce in order to reduce/eliminate emissions, crude oil has a tendency to break down faster, sludge and build up/cake along the pan and journeys.

Group 3 "synthetics" and Group 4/5 full synthetics have a much higher heat tolerance, more stable viscosity, and fewer / next to no impurities than crude oil, so it will help prevent this occurance.

That's also another reason to flush your engine before switching oils. The synthetic add packs will take it from there!

[CamryOnBronze]

My solara had mobil one synthetic in it since the dealer, the previous owner took very good care of it... My camry however had conventional oil for the first 115k miles before I owned it, so I switched to synthetic and ran that for a good 50k miles and didnt run into any big problems... seals went, but I thinm it was their time anyway. You shouldnt run into any big problems, go for it! your engine will thank you

[Dawgz]

whats a oil flush ? can i just do an oil change with the synthetic?

[theprodigy79]

You can do just a change, but you'll still have deposits left by your old oil over the years.

An oil flush actually uses a machine to pump/circulate clean mineral oil through your system until it comes out clear. This removes a good portion of build-up and sludge deposits, especially if you've never had it done.

Synthetic oil has the property of cleaning your engine, so you can just swap oil (and it certainly wouldn't harm anything if you did), but to retreive the biggest benefit of using it a flush would be necessary. You don't need to do them often, or ever really after you change to synthetic so long as you don't abuse it TOO much... So the money is well spent IMHO.

[Akfahad]

I've been running Mobil 1 synthetic for quite some time now and I just hit 115K.

[SleeperSolara]

I switched over the Castrol Fully Syntheic oil when my car hit 100,000 miles.
And i use a Bosch filter.
Changin' oil every 3000 miles.

[Dawgz]

ok, so whats the best synthetic? Mobile 1 or Castrol?


and what kind? still the 5w30?


and i dont think im gonna do the "flush", i dont like handing the car over to toyota....

[unbalancedwood]

all the big name oil companies i think are about the same, i think crisp and padlin use mobil 1 and we know how they drive. i use mobil 1

I have some rebates for pennzoil platinum full synthetic ($140 worth) what you do is you buy the oil, send in receipt to pennzoil and get cash back. I cant use them cause i have too many miles on my car and just use dyno oil. Ill sell them for half of the face value. (goes for anyone)

[theprodigy79]

I also live by Mobile 1 personally... Used in in my Celica, Solara and now my Supra Turbo.

You honestly can't really go wrong using Castrol, Pennzoil or Mobil 1 for solid quality Group 3 partial synthetics...

If you decide to go FULL synthetic, the ONLY two I'd recommend at this point in time are Redline and Amsoil, do NOT fall for Royal Purple and such, as their add pack is not as good as any of the others (including the partial synthetics above).

Once again, do not fall for these companies (Mobil, Castrol, Pennzoil and others) claiming to be "fully synthetic". They use a VERY high quality refining process on a stock Group 3 (crude) oil to purify it, then they add in Group 4s and other add packs. This does NOT mean they are low quality oils though, as they may well be better than some of the true Group 4/5 synthetics on the market (Royal Purple for example).

As far as handing the car over to Toyota, you can have any reputable mechanic do a flush for you if you don't trust your dealership. It's a simple task that only takes a half hour or so. Just keep it in mind, it's not absolutely necessary but it may benefit you.

-James

[woa_its_j3ff]

I have Mobile 5w30. love it. you'll love it too.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I use mobile1 10w30, and i'm sure my cars love it too!

[CASTRO]

I switched over to synthetic Mobile1 5w30 @ 60k. Currently at 188k, boosted and still runs hard and strong. no leaks and no need to flush. I just switched over and no problems. The car has been in the family since it was new and always saw oil changes every 3k.

Checked under the covers for sludge and its as clean as a new motor should be even as it nears closer to 200k. Color or the internals were a nice bronze/gold finish.

btw, it was boosted @ 100k

[dan99solara]

i have had mobil 1 5w-30 in my solara since i bought it new. no leaks and it still runs like the day i bought it

btw i have 150k miles