Okay, two questions here.

1) I have always had my oil changed by a professional. I have to admit, that it hasn't been at every 3000 miles. In fact, I'm ashamed to say that I've gone 21k miles before without having it changed. That might be usefull info for my question. After that occurance, it's been every 3k with the exception of one or two 6k intervals. I have a '99 3.8 with about 84k miles on it, and I'm thinking that it's time to switch to full synthetic oil. I plan on doing the change myself from now on, and I was wondering if there is anything I have to do to properly set the engine up for the change to synth. I also have a TT stealth, and I know that the Full synth helps out that engine. Will it help my V6 camaro? Or is it advised not to use synthetic. THanks.

2) My gas gauge is broken. It always reads FULL. Occasionally it'll drop to the VERY BOTTOM of the gauge and the light will come on. What could this be and is it possible to fix myself? Thanks again

BIlly.

 

Switching to syntehetic now would require some serious work. Its to thin, and if the V6 is anything like the 8 cyl, at that point, 84,000 miles, syntehetic will leak right out of the seals on your engine.

Gas gauge could be stuck, or could be the sensor in the tank.

 

Good God Man!
21k miles?
As in 21,000 Miles?
Thats 7 Oil changes!
3 or 4 Tire Rotations!
Maybe Even a set of brakes (Depending on what mileage that was at)

 

21k miles without an oil change, and you now have 84k on the clock

Well, seeing how the engine has seen "excessive wear" and "neglect" ...you should just keep changing with regular old dinosaur juice. That way, it won't leak like it will with synthetic.

I feel bad for the person that owns that car after you

 

i agree. with that many miles and that much abuse, synthetic oil is just gonna seep through your engine. it has a way of finding ways to leak out and im sure there are plenty of places in yours. no offense of course. just telling ya.

 

Man, that oil would be totally wasted after 7k...21k is just...

You CAN go to synthetic, but while it won't CAUSE a leak, if you have a small one that isn't noticable, it will make it worse. But synthetic, by itself, will not cause one. With that 21k oil interval, I would flush the engine...I'm sure you sludged her up good along with some varnish.

I see you have a Stealth TT too...what have you done to her?

Hopefully treated her better than the Camaro

 

After 21K miles.....is it even oil anymore??? or crystals???

Not meaning to flame ya....but what were u thinking....or not thinking????

Use the regular oil and change is often.

 

I recomend an engine flushing as well you are going to e pumping out some sludge...

jeez I thought I ws bad for going sometimes as long as 4-5 months(under 3k miles) and not every 3 months.

well... I woudl advise agianst synthetic, as said its more wattery and finds its way through holes, won't really help your car much.

Good luck with the car...

 

I take no offense what-so-ever to anything anyone said. I was very foolish to let it go 21K miles (I'm pretty sure that's how long). In my defense, that was only 3 months. Not sure if that makes it better or worse, but I drove that 21k miles in a matter of 3 months. I've flushed the engine with every oil change since then. The car seems to be running fine right now. I don't notice any ticks, knocks, pecks, or pings.

By saying it will leak, do you mean out of the engine or into the combustion chambers?

BTW, I've owned the car since it was new, and never changed the breaks. I'm thinking that it needs it now, though. It's next on the list of things to do.

importKILLER, yes, I do have a TT Stealth. It's a'92. I haven't done much to it as of yet. It has an HKS Type I Turbo Timer, HKS EVC IV boost controller, ATR cat back piping (no cat) w/ an Apex'i muffler, K&N FIPK, and the transmission is being rebuilt right now along with the 120k service. I've owned it for a year now, and taken GREAT care of it. Mobile 1 oil changes ever 2800 - 3000 miles. That's actually the reason that I let the Camaro slip. I focused on the Stealth too much. Awell...I plan on keeping the camaro for some time longer, so it's all good.

Billy.

 

Jeebus...21k in 3 months?

You are very lucky that your car hasn't showed any damage from that 21k, though the 3800 II is a very hardy engine. I don't know if it is hardy enough for that type of punishment but I know they can take a good pounding and ask for more. I'd say it is a lot more durable than our Stealths.

I wouldn't think you would need oil flushes at each oil change...for sure at your next though. With the Stealth, you can push the intervals to at least 5k with M1. I use Redline and run it to 7k with good UOA results. I could probably push it to 10k but I like to play it safe. 3K changes on synthetic is a waste IMO.

Stealth trannys are not very durable...my buddy has the same year car as mine but about 40k more on the odometer...his tranny is about to go. I'll bet it won't be long before you turn to the bottle with the Stealth...

 

It may or may not leak, honestly. It will eventually seep through the seals on the engine. I didnt mean it will just pour out the of the car. I would just use a good quality non synthetic oil, and get with a 3 months OR 3,000 mile changing plan. Hopefully the engine isnt to coated with burnt up oil.