Alright guys, sorry for askin another dumb question like everyone else here but I can't seem to find a similar situation in the stickies or anywhere. I have a 95 max with a little over 122k, the car runs beautifully, i just replaced timing chain and all the seals that go along with that. Would you guys recommend switching to a synthetic or what do you think, the past couple changes I have used Valvoline 10w30 high mileage, I run the car hard and am about to start the heavy mods so it will be run even harder in the future. What would you guys do? Thanks

 

Many people say its not good if your over 100k. With Mobil 1 you are least likely to get leaks than any other synthetic, so i've heard. If you do decide to switch, consider running some auto-rx through the engine beforehand. auto-rx.com

 

Run two applicatons of Auto-RX (www.auto-rx.com, also see the Additives forum on www.bobistheoilguy.com).

 

Just put the synthetic in and enjoy life..........you do not need to do any flushes other than in your bathroom.....................

 

The Auto-RX will help rejuvenate the seals, clean the combustion chamber and ring packs and minimize the risk of any leaks developing.

 

You do not need to do ANY flushes to switch over, PERIOD. Yes, I've read all the dialog on BITOG, but do not buy the argument. Coverting a high-milage car over to synthetic is a documented "good thing", they typically respond well to this change. Usually, the owners get scared when they do the first oil change after the conversion because the synthetic looks black, as it should: It is doing the clean out for you. Unless you have a ton of crap in your engine due to poor maintanence, you do not need to flush before converting. Waste of money...............

 

I differ with your opinion. It is common knowledge on this website that seal leaks can occur in higher mileage Maximas upon converting to synthetic oil.

An investment in Auto-RX is worth the money.

As a BITOG member, I take exception to what you state.

AutoRX is not a flush.

 

As I service several high milage Maximas (and other Nissans), all of which have been converted, none of which resulted in leaks, I cannot agree with your opinion. Sure leaks occur, and a car getting ready to leak could start when converted to synthetics, but that is a coincidence, not a cause and effect issue...........................

As I am also a BITOG memeber, and a life-long member of the SAE who worked the early part of his career in lubrication development, I'd suggest you get off your high horse, you are wrong.

AutoRX is a flush ("cleanser", "rinse", whatever), and in this case is a total waste of money, but go ahead and waste yours any way you wish..............

 

I have recently used AutoRX for the first time prior to switching to synthetic oil. I am experiencing no leaks, my fuel economy has improved, and my engine idles so quietly now that I literally can not hear it with the windows rolled up.

I endorse this product, but not other "snake oils" on the market. If I am wrong on AutoRX, then so are numerous BITOG members who endorse the product.

Take a hike!

 

Hit a nerve, did we? Look, there are numerous, even funny statements of individual anecdotal opinions that passes for "fact" on BOITOG and other sites; this one included. AutoRX is nothing more than a mixture of cleaning agents that will remove crud from an engine that has not been properly maintained. Fine, but then so will a mixture of light oil and kerosene that is allowed to run at idle for about 15 min. (an old used car lot trick). Funny bit is your comment that "my fuel economy has improved, and my engine idles so quietly now that I literally can not hear it with the windows rolled up"; we recently got the same comments from a driver of a GM product with 189,000 miles on it when we changed it over to a quality synthetic, without the use of AutoRX or anything else.

To bring closure to this useless dialog: You do not need AutoRX, or anything else to make the switch. And I wonder what would have happened if you just had changed you oil rather than spending money uselessly..................but then we will never know.............................................. .............

 

good stuff guys. Leaning toward not trying AutoRx anyway.....

 

The comment about improved fuel economy and the quietness of the engine pertains to before I switched to synthetic oil.

I switched to Esso XD3, 0w30, PAO, full synthetic which is heavier at operating temperature than most 5w30s. The jury is still out on whether or not my fuel economy has improved. I haven't driven enough miles to quantify this.

For Cdn$30 for a bottle of AutoRX, I'll enjoy the placebo effect if nothing else.

As Oscar Wilde wrote: "A cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."

Have a nice day!

 

Change you attitude bro! ARX works, it's been proven a million times. True most likely everything is ganna be fine, but I would much rather spend 20 bucks and be sure nothing is ganna happen to my engine. We are not talking about a rust bucket GM truck that nobody cares about, on a used car lot.

 

First of all, I do not have an "attitude". Secondly, I never said that Autorx doesn't work; it seems to be an effective oil system cleaner/flush, if one is actually needed due to excessively poor maintenance of the engine, causing sludge and varnish build up. My point is if it is needed prior to conversion to synthetics, which it is not, unless your engine qualifies as being poorly maintained. There are also many other examples of cleaner/flushes that will do an equally fine job under those circumstances, and at a lower cost. What I also dispute are the claims that using this stuff will prevent seals from leaking after conversion to synthetics; because most (if not all) synthetics have lower surface tension characteristics, worn seals will be more prone to leak with a synthetic. All the additives and treatments in the world will not prevent this, and most of the synthetic manufacturers address this old wives tale in their literature and on their websites. Typically, the lower surface tension and better cleaning properties of synthetics will "find" leaks that are ready to happen; but they do not "cause" them. Their superior detergent characteristics will also effectively clean out an engine over a couple of oil change cycles, this is why the first couple of synthetic changes look so bad and are usually full of all sorts of crap if you run an analysis. All of my professional training as an oil chemist and an engineer, as well of many years of engine component testing tells me that claims of rejuvenating worn seals is bunk.

We recently had an illuminating experience at my shop with one of my employee’s cars, a brand new Nissan Z. With less than 100 miles on the odometer, the owner decided to change out the gearbox oil with a synthetic to reduce the stiff shifting in cold weather. The day after the change, he found a two-inch diameter puddle of gear oil under the car. When we inspected the Z on a lift, we found a porosity leak had begun right thru the side of the gearbox-housing wall, nowhere near any seal or gasket area. When the Z was taken to the dealer, the service manager commented that case porosity leaks are a common problem when the vehicles on switched to synthetic oils of the correct weight, and that Nissan recognizes the problem simply replaces the gearbox or engine components under warranty when it occurs. Nissan recognizes that use of synthetics is almost inevitable on performance models, and that “synthetics will find leaks that ‘pre-exist’, but are not evident when conventional oils are used.”

While these forums are supposed to be an exchange of information and ideas, I find that most, if not all, of what passes for fact is anecdotal opinions rather than supportable facts………………..so flame on, and feel free to use what ever magic ingredients your wallet can support, and I will happily unsubscribe from a “dialog to nowhere usefull.”

 

And, as Thomas Tusser observed, "A fool and his money are soon parted"...........................

 

Do you own a Maxima? If not, spend some money wisely and buy one. Alternatively, go troll somewhere else.

I'm sure you would be reamed out 17 ways from Sunday on BITOG, but I suspect you are too "smart" to express your inane opinions there.

 

Actually, I currently have two Maximas, as well as a Spec V, and some other makes. And, I have expressed my opinion on this topic, and others, on BITOG; and (interestingly) some have actually agreed with me on this point, while others have choosen to "agree to not agree", which is fine. Those in the latter catagory were intelligent enough to accept that forum dialogs are about exchanging supportable information, not winning arguments....................................

 

What moniker do you go by on BITOG? When were these posts made? I would like to review them.

 

Same one I use here, posts were about 2-3 years ago.

 

That's interesting. You registered on BITOG on April 27, 2005 and to date have 0 posts.

 

Actually, BUTTHEAD, that was about when I swithced ISP's and most likely updated my profile on BITOG....................................but don't let that keep you from being a complete asswipe.....................

And I checked with the admin at BITOG and was informed that would severe the link to older posts when the profile changed. So get a life already.........................

 

I'm sorry but I don't believe a word you are saying. I would be willing to bet you don't even own a Maxima.

 

Please be assured I don't care what you think............................

 

Please be assured I need 15 posts lol

 

so much hostility in this thread...back to the main topic...

122k miles and synthetic oil...it should work fine if you are assure that your engine is working wonderfully...no need for flushes or anything...just drain and pour....go with a good quality synthetic like mobil1.....end of thread

 

Alright, first off, this isnt a honda forum and we all have to remember that.

With that being said, Bobo is one of the most knowledgeble people i know in regards to oil (and other associated fluids) he is the only person off hand that i can think of that i would let change my oil without me watching and without me giving him my oil (yes i am insane). I too am a BITOG member and have read more on that website than i care to admit.

Now to my reccomendation: I disagree with evertyone above, i would use one treatment of Auto-Rx (with castrol GTX). This is assuming your engine is pretty clean overall, the price isnt half bad for the stuff (something like $25 last time i looked) and at any rate no one is saying it will hurt your engine, and many many people will agree it will help. My final thought is that if you are spending the money on a high mileage car to use synthetic, and to mod, than the extra few $$'s wont be wasted, now if this was a beater that you were using cheapie sale rack oil on i would say no to the Rx because it would be a waste, that is obviously not the case here.

Thank you for your time

 

kcryan-thank you
This thread has been funny, a big game if you ask me, but I do intend to use some autorx next oil change, i have mobil clean7500 in the car right now, anybody have an opinion on this stuff, its a syn blend so it has so be semi decent. I intend to go back to a conventional oil when I use autorx seeing as how its recommended. just as a side note, just from switching from to the blend i can feel a difference in how smooth the car runs. Given its most likely a placebo effect but still, Thanks for the help guys...those of you that helped, and those of you that have kept us entertained the past couple days with this great debate!

 

Mobil Clean 7500- not bad oil by any means, but the blend idea is often decieving because its almost never 50-50.

Sounds like a good plan to me

Thanks again

 

I must have you fooled kcryan, lol!

Typically, Frank of AutoRX would recommend 2 applications of AutoRX for a vehicle in excess of 100,000 miles. However, the VQ has an aluminum block and is not prone to excessive sludge buildup.

One of the reasons I used AutoRX was because a fellow BITOGer who is a mechanic looked into my crankcase and said that I had some varnish buildup and it wouldn't hurt to go the AutoRX route prior to switching to synthetic oil for the first time.

Following completion of the AutoRX rinse phase, my friend cut my Nissan OEM filter in half and there were particles of debris suspended in the filter media. At that time my car had 62,000 mostly highway miles on it and the oil had never been run beyond a 4K OCI since day 1.

The AutoRX worked for me. Whether 2 applications are required for a VQ in excess of 100K might be a function of how it has been maintained.

When in doubt, it wouldn't hurt to go the 2 application route for an extra few dollars.

 

I intend to do the 2 cycles, like you said it can't hurt, I have been the owner for the majority of the car's life and I have taken great care of it but for 25 extra bucks it'll be nice to know I have a nice clean engine :-)

 

For what its worth; I switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic for the first time at 86k miles last time I changed my oil and now 4k miles later im low by about 2.5 quarts. Unless theres a leak somewhere that Im missing I will not be using synthetic again. Now when I swap a low mileage 3.5L in in a few months, thats a different story. I just thought it was interesting having never had that problem in the past and then immediately having it the first time I switched to synthetic.

 

as to the above post, that could be a million things but if your swapping the engine i wont go into it.

The 2 treatments is defiently the way to go if you dont mind parting with an extra $25, which on a car that has lasted this long (and should last much much longer) doesnt seem like a waste to me. I was throwing the idea of one out there as a sort of mid-ground for you, but you seem to have made the right choice.

Good luck and let us all know how it goes, and if you observe any changes.

 

NCSU- Were you burning oil or what was going on? Did you ever figure out where all that oil went??? Thats alot of oil to just be disappearing...
(oh and ps how did you make your headlights look like that!)

 

Ive gotta believe that the synthetic slipped past the seals being as thin of an oil as it is but I need to get under the car and inspect everything (which should happen in about a week)

Headlights - many hours of hard work. Theyre just retro-fitted cefiros much like the other retro-fits on the Org.

 

I'm not following you. I've got an 02 with just under 90k and I'm lookin to switch to synthetic, but I'm a bit hesitant cause of potential oil loss. I'd be really interested to hear what happened with your car.

 

Unless you were running a lower weight (went from like a 5-30 to a 5-20 when you switched), the synthetic wound not be a thinner oil....thats why they have ratings...