after reading numerous recent threads on switching older cars to synthetic oil, i think i have things straight. well almost. the cars in question are both 83s. a 240d and a 300dt with 270k and 295k miles respectively. changed to mobil1 15w-50 over the weekend. drive 1000 miles and change the oil filter? then drive an additional 3 to 4 k miles and change oil and filter? thank you.

Sounds good to me. Don't forget to top-up the oil after you change the filter,but I bet you knew that.

I'm not sure why you'd change the oil after only 1,000 miles when switching to synthetic since it is fully compatible with regular engine oil. I personally would switch oils and then change again at the normal schedule which is 3,500 miles for me.

Chuck

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1983 300td 240k (down with bad tranny)
1984 300d 222k (daily driver) "Olive"
1997 GMC K2500 105k (sled dog limo)

"The scenery in ANWR is as spectacular as the Grand Canyon and the wildlife is more impressive."

With something like this you realize that it's impossible to put a price on "piece of mind", so I would just do what makes you feel good if that makes sense. I personally would wait the 3500 on the first interval and then change both oil and filter, but that's just me. The simple fact that you are inquiring leads me to believe that you care enough to never "forget" about something and have excessively long drain intervals.
I tried what Larry Bible suggests and let it drain overnight. The way I did it was to drain until the point where I would normally put the plug back in, but then kept the drain plug off and slipped in an empty pan underneath overnight. I was amazed that 10 hours later I found 2/3 of a qt in the once-empty pan! Yes, the oil did stay clean longer afterwards. Then, when I put oil back in I fill the filter area first with the filter in it until it's full to minimize a dry start. I do this in addition to cranking the motor without any pre-glow after an oil change to help prime. I gues sitting overnight would need the same priming, but, oh well, It makes me feel better so...
Anyway, Have fun and do what makes sense to you.
Adam

MAN things sure change.
On my 1999 E-220 CDI the service interval is 20000 km's /12500miles. I have asked the dealer about changing oil inbetween the intervals, since I think it is a awful long time to run the same oil. Especially since I haul a 1900kg / 3500Lbs camping trailer on my summer vacation which really put a lot of strain on my engine, but they say it is a waste of money to change oil inbetween. The service indicator thingy takes into consideration all aspects of your driving, and a guy hwo drives very carefully can get over 20000 km's between services while I who haul that big trailer will only get like 18-19000 between services
Go figure

The reason for the early filter change is that synthetic oil will dissolve all the nice brown varnish inside the engine, and release all the crud stuck to it. Withing 1000 miles, the engine will be shiny clean inside, and the oil filter will be plugged. Nothing wrong with the oil, but lots of dirt will circulate around the filter, so replacement is required.

Short change interval first time round isn't a bad idea, either, as some of the crud will go through the filter anyway.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!