Hi Guys.

I'm a new member at this message board. I came here seeking advice.

I have a much loved '94 Camaro with 82,000 miles on it. So far, knock-on-wood, it's been pretty maintenance free. My used car dealership's warranty ran out last October, so I'm trying now more than ever to take care of it.

Last month, when I went in for my regular oil change, I decided to spring for the Synthetic Oil, figuring it was best because it was most expensive. I figured it was a good investment, because maybe I would prevent future problems. I was suckered in by the words on the back of the bottle that promise great things for older, high mileage engines... less sludge, leak prevention, you name it.

Was that a wise decision? Should I go back to regular old 5W-30 next time? Or now that I've gone synthetic, should I stay that way?

If it matters, the car always gets an oil change on schedule. The previous owner did so also. He even filled out the oil change log in the back of the owner's manual! Come on, who does that? I suppose he could have faked that log before selling the car, but it looks legit... different ink for each entry. The car is in tip top shape, obviously well maintained by him and me.

So what do you say? Synthetic or no? Am I stuck now?
FYI, I used Castrol Syntec.

Thank you!

 

Without running the risk of sparking another debate () I will just say to watch your car for any leaks. While synthetics are far superior to conventional oils, they do have a tendency of finding ways to leak that conventional oils wouldn't. With your car being a 1994 and 80,000+ miles, it is certainly a possibility. I'm not saying it will happen for sure, but the older and more miles on the engine, the greater the chances.

You can switch between dino and synthetic without any harmful effects. If your car doesn't show any leaks and you don't mind the extra $$$, stay with synthetic. You'll have the peace of mind knowing that you have a synthetic in there. I would suggest pushing your oil changes from 3k to 5-7k if you do use synthetic.
For the cost, synthetic changes at 3k are a waste IMO.

If it were my car, I would just stick with a good conventional oil like a Pennzoil, Chevron or GTX. Those are three quality oils that you can find on sale usually. You can't go wrong choosing a conventional and changing it every 3k.


Good luck choosing!

 

Synthetic is hands down better in any category except price. I don't know if I would have changed over when your seals and gaskets already had 82k miles though. I chose to continue using conventional oil in my Z when I got it, as it had 80k miles on it already and I didn't want to risk any leaks. I had a '94 Z that I got with about the same miles and I DID switch to Mobil 1 and within the next month I had little puddles of oil on my garage floor.

 

I have a '97 V6 with 70,2xx miles on it and I've been using mobile one since 67,xxx.....I haven't seen any leaks. I'd stay with the synthetic....oil is the life blood of a car, I like spending a few extra dollars and having the peace of mind that I put in high quality oil.

 

If it gives you problems I reccomend Valvoline Max life but if full synthetic works mroe power to ya brotha!

 

'97 RS with over 100,000 on it . Use Q.S. full synthetic 10w-30. Never had a problem yet!

Doesn't leak, doesn't burn or use... synthetic BY far is the better investment.

 

Synthetic is much better than regular oil. But once you go synthetic, it's really not good to go back to regular oil. Sythetic wears more even than conventional oil because synthetic has a consistance molecular structure (I believe that's the reason) Going back to regular oil can cause oil leaks.

 

Only two things I agree with here are that synthetics are better and that they have a uniform molecule size, unlike conventional oil.

How did you come up with the idea that you can't switch from synthetic to conventional and that going back to conventional will cause leaks?

The molecule size would make no difference on whether or not you can go back. Once you drain the old oil out, you can put whatever you want in. There would still be a small amount of synthetic still on some parts but that amount is small, it isn't like it is moly which would stay on the parts for a while.

Now going from a conventional oil in a high mile, older engine to a synthetic, that is where you will likely develop a leak problem. But saying you will develop a leak from switching to conventional from synthetic, no.

I think the idea of "once you go synthetic..." was made by the makers and dealers of synthetic oil to scare people into thinking they HAVE to continue to use synthetics or the engine will explode.

 

I believe if one was to take a look at a bottle of synthetic, if states that it MAY be used (mixed) with conventional or other synthetic oils....

I read this the other day when I was purchasing oil (Mobil synthetic blend) for my truck ('96 K1500 with over 117000 miles). I JUST switched from conventional (Pennzoil) to a blend.



I'm NOT sure I, myself, would try this. (just like NOT mixing different weight oils) But I thought it was interesting that the bottle said that.

I don't see the difference in using a synthetic in an older, high mileage motor... than dumping a can of Sea Foam in the gas tank and the crankcase. Using that stuff is suppose to remove carbon and sludge than has built up over time. That can develop a leak just as fast as using a synthetic.

 

Thanks everyone for your response.

I guess I'll stick with the synthetic. So far so good. It's been about 2,000 miles since the oil change, and no leaks yet.

I just want my baby to live forever! Especially since they stopped making them. Though maybe SOMEDAY I'll trade him in for a T-Top or a convertible. Someday when I have a much bigger salary.