first OCI when switching to synthetic? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

networkboy · #1 12-23-2007, 11:21 PM

So I'm switching from Valvoline blue 15W40 to Mobil 1 5w40.
Any thoughts of when to change the oil the first time through? I figure since there is almost a quart of old gunk in there I may want to shoot for a shorter interval than I normally would consider with the synthetic. Or is contamination not an issue with the mobile 1?

-nB

latitude500 · #2 12-23-2007, 11:24 PM

You shouldn't have a problem going over to synthetic, the filter is going to caught everything that might give you problems. Just keep using synthetic and your motor should be fine.

Good luck

Hatterasguy · #3 12-23-2007, 11:27 PM

I never did anything different, it takes a long time to clean.

You need to run it for 20k-40k miles to really clean out the engine.

probear · #4 12-24-2007, 01:08 AM

If your engine has a lot of gunk, just change the oil filter after a few thousand miles. The oil will last longer, and you'll have the peace of mind of not clogging the filter.

vstech · #5 12-24-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I never did anything different, it takes a long time to clean.

You need to run it for 20k-40k miles to really clean out the engine.

I trust that what hattie is saying is that you should use normal OCI for 20 - 30Kmiles... 3 to 5K on each oil change... with new filters each time, and after the 20 or so K miles, you will be getting all the benefits of full synthetic.

#6 12-24-2007, 02:23 AM

I agree. Change the synthetic at the normal dino interval for the first two or three times, then run extended drain intervals.

Skid Row Joe · #7 12-24-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by networkboy

So I'm switching from Valvoline blue 15W40 to Mobil 1 5w40.
Any thoughts of when to change the oil the first time through? I figure since there is almost a quart of old gunk in there I may want to shoot for a shorter interval than I normally would consider with the synthetic. Or is contamination not an issue with the mobile 1?

-nB

I'd first drop the oil pan to see if there's any gunk in there. That, and the valve cover. Take a look and see if there's any gunk, before assuming there is. I've never found any gunk in any of my engines. Up to 305K on one.......none.

#8 12-24-2007, 11:45 AM

Alot of work for something thats completely unnecessary. Just switch over and have the peace of mind that it will be cleaner than before.

networkboy · #9 12-24-2007, 12:04 PM

Well I've already followed SRJ's advice (because of the requisite valve adjustments) though I have no intention of dropping the pan, and it is dirty. Not dirty like those evil sludge pictures mind you, just normal dirty. I plan on changing the filter after 1K miles and topping off the oil, because I think most of the big chunks will have broken off by then.
-nB

Skid Row Joe · #10 12-24-2007, 12:11 PM

According to the OP, "there is almost a quart of gunk in there," it would be a shame to just leave it in there.

Gunk is a grave danger leading to engine failure, and won't get cleaned out by OCIs. An ounce of maintenance is worth a few thousand dollars of cure.

Skid Row Joe · #11 12-24-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by networkboy

Well I've already followed SRJ's advice (because of the requisite valve adjustments) though I have no intention of dropping the pan, and it is dirty. Not dirty like those evil sludge pictures mind you, just normal dirty. I plan on changing the filter after 1K miles and topping off the oil, because I think most of the big chunks will have broken off by then.
-nB

Good man..........you can never be too careful with maintenance.

Hatterasguy · #12 12-24-2007, 03:37 PM

Why would you drop the oil pan to look? Do you have any idea how hard that is on some of these? Just open up the fill cap and take a look inside with a flash light. The valve train is going to sludge up first if the PO used super extended intervials.