Does Synthetic Oil Remove Varnish From Engine? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

can-do · #1 12-11-2002, 12:04 AM

Greetings All,

I am quite curious to find out if switching from Dino to Synthetic oil in my wifes '86 300E will remove the built-up Varnish I can see when pulling the oil fill cap and looking down into the valve train area. Anyone that has done the switch with what I call a dirty top end please give your feed back on this. If it will clean up the varnished looking internals of this engine I'd like to know so I can do the switch and clean up the inards of this high mileage Benz.

Thanks,

Charles

joe p · #2 12-11-2002, 08:42 AM

Doubtful it will.

Are you talking about actual deposits or simply that ugly yellow color the alloy gets?

Joe

stephenson · #3 12-11-2002, 09:39 AM

Wouldn't a more logical reason be to improve the quality of the lubricant and extend engine life while getting better cold weather starting and increased fuel mileage?

MikeTangas · #4 12-11-2002, 11:36 AM

Try doing a search for a thread titled "look what Mobil One did to my rear end" or might have been differential, can't remember who posted it though. Has pictures of an extremely clean differential housing after something like 1K miles. I'd imagine it would clean the innerds of a crankcase as well.

keithed · #5 12-11-2002, 01:04 PM

Have talked with different useers of Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil who swear by its cleaning effects.

Really the manufactuor of the oil claims to drain about 1500 miles the first time in because it has cleaned it so well filter restriction is possible.

It even goes as far as to say on the bottle itself it cleans it internally. So the answer to your first asked question, according to RP is yes.

K

Most all of NAPA auto stores around the country are suppose to carry it, but can't verify for sure, only what I've been told. Cost is in the 4 to 5.50 range.

#6 12-11-2002, 01:50 PM

From what I see below your sugnature, you car has survived 17 years and 176,000mi with a diet of mineral oil. Why would you think changing the diet of an old (mature) healthy combination.
Synthetic, by itself, will not necessary clean the inside of your engine. The cleaning action is not due to the oil being synthetic or mineral, but is related to the amount and type of the additive package contained in the oil. You can have a mineral oil with a very high concentration of detergent additives and an a synthetic oil with a very low concentratrion, and vice-versa.
If your engine has lasted for 176,000mi with mineral oil, you will not get very major differences going to synthetic. My advice would be to spend the same amount of money on oil, but change oil at shorter intervals.
If you intend to change synthetic oil at 5,000mi. interval, stick with mineral and change it at 3,000mi. It will cost you the same (approx) and your engine will be happier.
JackD
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haasman · #7 12-11-2002, 01:52 PM

Here is the link regarding synthetics and cleaning a differential ... it seems the picture is no longer available

Look What Mobil1 Synthetic Gear Lube Did To My Diff.

stephenson · #8 12-11-2002, 01:59 PM

Sorry ... not sure the engine actually knows it is happier one way or the other (mineral or syn) .... however, I would assume the benefits of synthetics are know well enough for research to make it obvious ... they are better for so many reasons ... take a tour on the search system and see what you think.

Mature engine?

keithed · #9 12-11-2002, 02:22 PM

Charles

You can always give it a whirl for six months or so and you be the judge. The proof as they say is in the puddin, in your case in the engine.

The cost will not be that much more, in that time frame to find the answer yourself.

Bet I know what the answer will be.

K