Determining oil change intervals via analysis

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by dbltap, Aug 3, 2006.

  1. Right.

    So for a second owner, where the manufacturer has no interest, a
    decrease in oil change intervals is cheap insurance--no matter what the
    owner's manual says.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Aug 6, 2006
  2. dbltap

    Matt Whiting Guest

    OK, post a reference to some real data.

    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Aug 6, 2006
  3. dbltap

    jcr Guest

    Could be many short trips and never getting the engine to normal
    operating temperature. The condensation from combustion will accumulate
    in the oil over time without the opportunity to evaporate off causing
    sludge. Had tis happen to a Chrysler 3.3 engine once (caused the
    lifters to become oil starved). Switched to Synthetic and not a problem
    since.
     
    jcr, Aug 6, 2006
  4. dbltap

    jcr Guest

    BTW: What specific engine problem would cause this to occur (except
    perhaps a stuck-open thermostat)?
     
    jcr, Aug 6, 2006
  5. dbltap

    jcr Guest

    Constant short 3-4 mile trips could do it.
     
    jcr, Aug 6, 2006
  6. dbltap

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Leaking head gasket allowing coolant into the crankcase. Cracked block
    or head allowing same. Many short trips in cold weather.

    I don't recall there being a date at this site, but the car was
    purportedly a 2001. So, if this occurred just recently, then this car
    may have been five years old when the engine was torn down. 8700 miles
    over five years, is very little driving. And if this was the original
    oil and filter as was suggested, and if this car was driven in a cold
    climate, then that would constitute extreme abuse and might well
    generage that much sludge.


    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Aug 7, 2006
  7. dbltap

    jim beam Guest

    agreed, but why wait? it's something first owners benefit from too if
    they plan on keeping the car for the long haul. crazy short change
    intervals are a waste, but cutting 20% - 30% off the end of the
    manufacturer specified mileage will cost 2 - 3 more oil changes in that
    initial 100k period for a new honda, or about $45 if you do the work
    yourself. i'd be hard pushed to sweat that kind of money if i were
    balancing oil change economics against engine performance/durability
    economics. in fact, since oils tend to get a little more viscous as
    their contaminant load increases, you'll probably make that extra cost
    back in fuel consumption savings.
     
    jim beam, Aug 7, 2006
  8. dbltap

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Possibly. If this 8700 miles was over a several year period, especially
    in a cold slimate, then I can see this possibly happening. The site
    simply has too few details to make an accurate assessment.


    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Aug 7, 2006
  9. dbltap

    Elle Guest

    The posting of the link above misleads. Indications are that
    the engine shown at the site above has an "oil gelling"
    problem known to certain Toyotas and in fact resulting in a
    special warranty from Toyota. See
    http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=&did=566 , among
    other sites that discuss this.

    A poorly designed PCV system is arguably the main cause.
    Note the mention of the warranty at the Tegger.com site. See
    also commentary at the link below from the technician who
    worked on this Toyota engine. As of January, 2006, he (and
    others with expertise, it seems) puts some blame on
    insufficient oil changes, but just as much blame on the PCV
    system, which evidently is less tolerant of low oil change
    frequency compared to many other makes and models.

    http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.toyota.camry/browse_frm/thread/255c4b60d00480d4/92e16042141f52bc?lnk=st&q=&rnum=10#92e16042141f52bc


    For more on oil gelling in certain Toyotas, see

    http://www.carfax.com/car_safety/ratings/SRR.cfm/year/2001/make/TOYOTA/model/CAMRY/trim_id/2001TOYT4DFCAMRY_LE

    http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3828/is_200206/ai_n9093540
     
    Elle, Aug 7, 2006
  10. dbltap

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Infernece argument? Sounds like you are used to being confronted about your
    use of such tactics as red herrings. Why not direct contradiction? You
    seemed to have missed the point where I told you that contrary to what you'd
    like to have available as your argument, folks here consistently keep their
    cars running very strong at and above 200K.

    Again with the irrelevant hogwash. You are indeed proving yourself to be
    well uninformed.

    That you are. Too many of us here have actually maintained and driven
    vehicles to that level of "high mileage used car" as you refer to it for us
    to allow baseless claims to prevail. That, I suggest is the difference
    between those who challenge you here and your own experiences. We've
    actually done it.
     
    Mike Marlow, Aug 7, 2006
  11. dbltap

    Bob Adkins Guest

    The 7500 is for normal conditions. Hyundai recommends changing oil more
    frequently for severe conditions, thus the above range. Ya, I'm a little
    conservative because I never know how people treat their cars or the
    conditions in which they drive.
     
    Bob Adkins, Aug 7, 2006
  12. dbltap

    G-Man Guest

    1996 Accord LX, 4-cyl. 176k, uses no oil, runs like a top. Change 7500,
    using Amsoil Full Synthetic.

    So what are people going to do now with the new Honda maintenance indicator?
    Change when the guage tells you you have 60% life left on the oil?

    Stop wasting oil people. The shops ALL want you to change at 3k! hell,
    they are making 3 times the money off you!

    G-Man

    PS, I only quote the '96 because it's the oldest car I have now, the story
    has been the same for all my Hondas, and I'm on number 14 now. If I get to
    250k and find out that if I had changed every 3k I could have gone to 300k,
    I still feel like I won :)
     
    G-Man, Aug 7, 2006
  13. dbltap

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]
    You have absolutely no proof of that, therefore you cannot claim that.

    Until you have proof, you must shut up. That's the new rule around here.[/QUOTE]


    You presented is evidence in an oil change discussion. You have no
    evidence it was oil change related so shut up.

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 7, 2006
  14. dbltap

    ACAR Guest

    The oil change indicator on my new Honda (2004) reminds me to change
    oil every 10,000 miles. It does not indicate % life left. Honda does
    not require full synthetic oil. I think that after 10,000 miles an
    owner shouldn't be concerned about wasting oil by changing it. What do
    you think?
     
    ACAR, Aug 7, 2006
  15. dbltap

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]

    Analysis of carefully collected data, sure. Wild speculation, no.

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 7, 2006
  16. dbltap

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]

    Bummer ;)

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 7, 2006
  17. dbltap

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]

    In this conversation there is an acute shortage of data. Care to rectify
    that?

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 7, 2006
  18. dbltap

    Elle Guest



    Do you have the maintenance minder system described at sites
    like
    http://www.hondanews.com/catID2013?mid=2005083041013&mime=asc ?

    If so, from my reading the oil change indicator does not
    come on based only on mileage. A computer algorithm
    evaluates engine temperatures, RPM, driving distance, and
    maybe more to compute whether an oil change is needed.
     
    Elle, Aug 7, 2006
  19. dbltap

    jcr Guest

    I understand that the Chrysler 2.7 V6 has a similar problem.
     
    jcr, Aug 7, 2006
  20. dbltap

    Ript Guest

    Thats why I alwas say DRIVE the car, floor it to get on the free way,
    and rev that bitch, they love it. My 94 accord has 147,000 miles, dont
    butn enough oil between chenges to even worry about!
     
    Ript, Aug 16, 2006
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.