The1980BEAST
1/2 ton status
Just wondering.. I don't buy into the whole synthetic thing but the last owner used it so I just wanted to make sure that it won't screw anything up..
CK5
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Is it ok to change from synthetic oil back to normal?
- Thread starter The1980BEAST
- Start date
Fabrimacator21
1/2 ton status
I've heard synthetic will swell all the seals and if you go back to convential you'll get leaks...
Why not leave synthetic in there? It's expensive but worth it IMO. Plenty of tests that prove synthetic has less wear then conventional.
cdoggwsu
1/2 ton status
This would be an excellent question for 4by4bygod, you may want to shoot him a PM (although I'd be curious to hear the answer as well). I've heard both the "absolutely shouldn't be done" and the "it won't hurt a thing" answers so I've been cautious to try it myself.
I've done it with no leakage or other noticeable effects. On my 95 Burb, I have gone from 5w-30 conv. to 5w-30 syn and back two different times with no noticeable changes. Both oils were Valvoline. I changed oil and filter each time. I ran the conv. for 3000 miles, and the Syn for 7500 miles.
You can switch back to conventional without any problems. I would however, strongly recommend staying with the synthetic. There is less wear, better fuel econmoy and because the oil molecules are smaller sythetic oil will coat better leaving you with less friction. You can actually feel the diff., as far as smooth running, when running synth. over conventional.
The1980BEAST
1/2 ton status
I shot him a pm and will tell you what he says...
I dont know if I'm going to switch or not just trying to find out if the option is available
I dont know if I'm going to switch or not just trying to find out if the option is available
Fabrimacator21
1/2 ton status
Might have imagined it but I would swear my rig ran smoother after switching to mobil one. Seemed to be a little snappier too.
I'm a firm believer that there's nothing wrong with regular old conventional oil. IMO i think that synthetic oil was made for people who don't change their oil faithfully at the 3000 mile intervals like they should. I know there is more to a synthetic oil but IMO it's just a waste of money if you keep up on oil changes.
There is more to sythetic aside from longer lof intervals. Sythetic has a different additive package as well. The additives can help to prevent build up, help with heat disapation etc. Synthetic makes your engine run with less friction and in turn you can gain longer life, more hp, and better fuel economy. I run Synthetic and still change my oil every 5,000 miles which is less time between than what the oil allows.
Mobil One and Amsoil are by far the best oils because of their additive package however, valvoline is a close second and signigicantly more cost effective.
4by4bygod
1/2 ton status
Thanks for thinking of me - here's my response:
yes, it's fine to do so..here's why: all motor oil is made of processed petroleum, whether it's called synthetic, mineral, conventional or whatever. the only difference is the level of processing it goes through, before it's bottled.
"synthetic" is a marketing term, and not indicative of any special ingredients, so switching back and forth won't hurt anything.
I didn't PM this, but since someone asked..
as far as seals swelling if you switch from synthetic:
seals swell a bit if you have esters in your oil.. you can find esters in oils like redline, and you can find esters in "high mileage" oils, whether the bottle says "synthetic" or not - so if you have esters in your oil now, and you switch to an oil that doesn't have any, the seals could shrink, and thus leak.. or you could buy a real PAO synthetic racing oil, shrink your seals and leak anyway..or you could use a high mileage oil with esters and swell the seals to the point where they overexpand and lose their ability to do their job.. and then leak.. so it's a crapshoot no matter what oil is in there, or what you change to.
point is, if you engine leaks, fix it right..how a lube affects your seals depends on formulation, and seal condition. not things usually under the consumers control.
As far as how to pick an oil, buying the cheap stuff is fine, just throw it away at 3K.. if you want to go beyond that, have it analyzed so you can monitor what it's actually doing in your engine.. anything else is relying on marketing hype - and just 'cause an engine hasn't grenaded, that doesn't mean the oil you picked is the best ever..that engine is still wearing out, still increasing clearances, and still losing power due to increased blow by.. and not even mobil one's marketing budget can stop it.
