When to start running synthetic oil

[maddog2112]

I run Mobil1 in my 5.0, but my boat was a used purchase. I`m going to help a friend with his Q5 winterization, and this last season was his first on a brand new engine( barely broken in). I`m wondering if it`s too soon for him to run synthetic. Any Ideas?

 

[Aloysius]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I run Mobil1 in my 5.0, but my boat was a used purchase. I`m going to help a friend with his Q5 winterization, and this last season was his first on a brand new engine( barely broken in). I`m wondering if it`s too soon for him to run synthetic. Any Ideas?

There isn't really any break-in anymore. Roller lifters, moly filled rings have eliminated it. Personally I'm NOT a fan of synthetic for everyday use, but if you are, anytime is fine.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

There isn't really any break-in anymore. Roller lifters, moly filled rings have eliminated it. Personally I'm NOT a fan of synthetic for everyday use, but if you are, anytime is fine.

Hmmmm You very well maybe right But might it not be a good idea to play it safe and use dino oil ? to make sure the rings seat properly ? I would give it 50 or 100 hrs on a new engine. You would hate to end up with an oil burner... I admit I am not basing this on any pertenant data... Aloysius is prob right..,Alot of new cars come from the factory w syn... Just my 1 1/2 cents

 

[stephanies]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

New Volvo engines come with mineral oil from the factory, and the oil is changed to synthetic at the 1st service, which has now changed form 20 hrs to 50 hrs now..............

 

[crewscontrol]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I don't think it has ever been proven that running synthetic oil extends engine life, especially in a marine environment. Usually a marine engine sucumbs from other issues (water intrusion, corrosion from the inside, overheating from not changing impellers, etc) long before it expires from oil issues.

That being said, I think you can start using synthetic oil any time you decide to do so.

 

[maddog2112]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Thanks all for the input!

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

My boat motor (383) had about 10 hrs on it when I got it, I waited until the little bit of blow-by that it had stopped after about another 10 hrs (indicating that the rings had fully seated) before I switched over to synthetic.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I run Mobil1 in my 5.0, but my boat was a used purchase. I`m going to help a friend with his Q5 winterization, and this last season was his first on a brand new engine( barely broken in). I`m wondering if it`s too soon for him to run synthetic. Any Ideas?

Howdy,

If you're talking about Mercury 25W-40 oil, you can run it as "factory-fill". If you're talking about a Volvo Penta engine, you can run what they suggest.

If you're talking about other synthetics, Mercury recommends against it.

Having said that, every type of oil has been tried. They all work just fine.

Like mentioned above, the engine will die of other things not related to oil type (except water in the oil, or not EVER changing it!!)



DO a search for oil on this site.

There'll be a "zillion" people who will chime in with: "Here's what I use and I've never had a problem" Or "I've had good service with XYZ oil" yada yada yada......



It really doesn't matter what you run as long as you change it on a regular basis............."Knock yourself out"!!






Cheers,


Rick

 

[Bluestream]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Any engine can run synthetic oil from day one. This myth was stated years ago by the first synthetic oil companies in an attempt to differential their oil and make is seem to be a better product. Most high end cars like Corvettes and porsche come from the factory with synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is good for three reasons: Flows better at low temperatures, Longer drain intervals, stronger oil film strength at high oil temperatures . Whether you need these qualities is up for debate. It will not give you any better fuel economy, or longer engine life (possibly some due to better flow at start up where much wear occurs)

 

[sprintst]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I have a lawn mower that has run synthetic from 91. My brother in law has gone through 3 lawn mowers in the same time...

 

[GLENN M]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

first oil change,change to synth. synth can withstand about 50 degrees F more before breakdown. other than that i like mineral better.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

any engine can run synthetic oil from day one. This myth was stated years ago by the first synthetic oil companies in an attempt to differential their oil and make is seem to be a better product. Most high end cars like corvettes and porsche come from the factory with synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is good for three reasons: Flows better at low temperatures, longer drain intervals, stronger oil film strength at high oil temperatures . Whether you need these qualities is up for debate. It will not give you any better fuel economy, or longer engine life (possibly some due to better flow at start up where much wear occurs)

bingo!!

 

[sethjon]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I run Mobil1 in my 5.0, but my boat was a used purchase. I`m going to help a friend with his Q5 winterization, and this last season was his first on a brand new engine( barely broken in). I`m wondering if it`s too soon for him to run synthetic. Any Ideas?

Synthetic oil is not nearly what some perceive it to be. All oil loses properties from the time its first used and all oil gets dirty. having said that use a top notch oil and it will do just as well. Also consider that you change it every year so why use synthetic.

 

[cr2k]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Hum? I get about 1.5 mpg better with syn in my truck.

 

[airshot]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Synthetic oil is not nearly what some perceive it to be. All oil loses properties from the time its first used and all oil gets dirty. having said that use a top notch oil and it will do just as well. Also consider that you change it every year so why use synthetic.

It is a proven fact that syn oil reduces friction. It is also a proven fact that syn oil maintains its stability at high heat far better than dino oil. It is also a fact that it flows more freely at colder temps. It is also a fact that syn oil reduces sludge or keeps sludge from forming far better than dino oil. Is it worth the extra expense? Only the boat owner knows for sure, in my book after spending all that money on a boat and maintainence the cost of a premiem oil is mere pennies compared to other costs. I use syn oil in my boat,
ATV, lawnmower everything.
Back in the early 90's Briggs air cooled engines had a problem with an aircooled motor made for Sears, extremely high failure rate due to lubricating issue. I have one of those engines, I switched to syn oil after first oil change
motor still runs great to this day, lawnmower mech told me the only ones still running are the ones on syn oil, rest have gone up in smoke. Enough for me!!
Thanks for letting me vent my two cents worth.......

Airshot

 

[Bluestream]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

It is a proven fact that syn oil reduces friction. Airshot

Can you provide a reference or research paper of any kind to back up this statement?

 

[sethjon]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I run Mobil1 in my 5.0, but my boat was a used purchase. I`m going to help a friend with his Q5 winterization, and this last season was his first on a brand new engine( barely broken in). I`m wondering if it`s too soon for him to run synthetic. Any Ideas?

Run regular oil.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Oh boy another oil thread...

There's plenty of info on the stability of synthetics over conventional dino out there, knock yourself out with Google.

I myself use synthetics for the higher heat stability in all my stuff. NO failures. My BMW RT1150 has nothing but fits if I run anything but Mobil 1 Motorcycle Racing oil in it, the cam tensioners and timing chain want to jump out of the bike with anything else and it runs cooler. (oil cooled) And at $9.75 per quart, if I could find anything else it liked I'd be all over it. But after 65,000 miles it shows perfect compression and has yet to need so much as a valve adjustment. I'm a believer that synthetics are superior in most apps. My .02.

 

[airshot]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

Can you provide a reference or research paper of any kind to back up this statement?

Sure look at the internet, all the statements you want. Better yet, as a precision toolmaker I have taken close tolerance fitted parts, used dino oil on them and tested time till gauling takes place, then replace dino oil with syn oil and I have never had a gauling issue. Most anyone that works with extremely close tolerance or metal to metal friction will testify to the results.
I do it most everyday. That said, the engine owner still must decide whether
the additional expense justifies the end, to me it does, never had an oil related engine problem with syn, but have with dino oil.

 

[Bluestream]

Re: When to start running synthetic oil

I have searched the Internet and have found nothing to back up your claims. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) web site also lists no technical papers of any kind backing up your claims. Sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejExtOcV5aI