Type of oil to use.. synthetic or non?

[wtjpcardinal]

I just recently got a 97 Camry 4cyl with 186k miles. The previous owner of 6 years used whatever oil was sale when he changed the oil. I'm getting ready to change the oil and was wondering if it would be too late to go to sythetic or use non synthetic and just change it more frequently? What are your opinions on this? Thanks.

[Menyahs]

well i you go the synthetic route you need to stick with it because it's bad for you're seals to go back to normal oil after you switch to synthetic. Synthetics like Royal Purple claim that that you'll gain like 5hp by using their products. Also if you go synthetic changing it more often would be dumb because the synthetic oil doesn't break down in heat as much as regular oil does, which is one of the great benefits of synthetic oil most consider 5000 miles the be a normal oil change with synthetic. If you're looking to make you engine run better you should consider some fuel system cleaner, and a good engine treatment like Restore. It helps restore compression and power that have been lost during those 186k miles. I always use it in my cars and they always run very well.

[ASG14]

Do not go Syn at 186k miles unless you plan to replace all the seals beforehand.

[97trdcamry]

Go with Mobil 1 and use Lucas oil stabilizer.

[secrecyguy]

Wow! 186,000 miles!

Too late to use synthetic oil. Just continue using non-synthetic oil.

The best time to use synthetic is 30,000 to 100,000. Anything over 100,000, it's already too late to do it.

[atomix099]

Use high mileage oil and oil filter... Its suppose to recondition the seals and whole bunch of other stuff.... Thats what I use. The way i see it, it cant hurt & its not much more...

[Eye8Pussies]

it's never too late to go synthetic

if your engine starts leaking oil, it's because the leak was there already and it was just gunked up. a couple of small leaks never hurt anything anyway. just keeps your bolts front siezing/rusting...lol

[Stillrunning]

Agree with Eye8pussies. Can anyone show tech data on why synthetic will ruin seals? I do though have to question its use at 186K and can't see cost/benefit. I would stick with dino oil and do regular changes. At 186 be prepared to replace seals no matter what.

[Heat]

If you do go synthetic, run it for about 1,000 to 1,500 miles then do another oil change with synthetic. The reason is that you'll be knocking a lot of crud out so you want to do the second oil change pretty quickly.

Personally, I'd go with either a high mileage regular oil or with a "name brand" oil, like Castrol GTX which is what I'll be using on my Camry with 157,000 miles, I haven't had it long enough to do the first change. I wouldn't go synthetic simply because it's a non-turbo 4-cylinder engine, I don't think it needs synthetic.

Why a name brand? I don't know and that's certainly up for debate. A friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer says that as long as it meets SAE standards it's good enough so he buys the cheapest stuff you can find for oil, ATF, coolant, whatever. I think it's worth an extra couple bucks per 5 quart jug to get the "good stuff". To each his own, I guess.

[thisisntjoew]

People are making good points... You can change to synthetic however you run the risk of removing sludge from seals that may be slowing any leaks. I have changed to synthetic at 200,000 miles and have not had problems however I have also changed every seal and gasket on the engine.

[Toysrme]

Oil is oil. If your engine leaks it's because the fuecking gaskets are shitty.


5w-30 mobil 1 synthetic. Don't run an addative. I would diesel fuel / seafoam / MMO flush it before you swap & immediately before changing the oil.

[wtjpcardinal]

Thanks for all the replies. I had heard about the synthetic oils possibly causing leaks if used later in the mileage. Don't really know if it's true or not. I also have a 94 Camry with 268K that I bought new. I started using synthetic in it under 100K and have no big oil leaks(no leaking on the ground). I also have a 93 Camry with 254K. I started using synthetic around 210K when I got it. It seemed to start leaking more after the change. But I don't believe it was well maintained. The 97 had all new seals put in around 180K and has been well maintained. I'll probably go with the non synthetic oil due to what has been ran in it and the price differences of the oil now. Thanks agan.

[Aussie_Camry]

well i you go the synthetic route you need to stick with it because it's bad for you're seals to go back to normal oil after you switch to synthetic

LOL where did you hear that!?! I understand some people think synthetic oil causes oil leaks (well it doesnt... 'indirectly' oil leaks will occur because its cleaning all the crap up with its additives from your seals!)... but Ive never heard that changing back will somehow cause problems!!!

a couple of small leaks never hurt anything anyway. just keeps your bolts front siezing/rusting...lol

Lol yeah... I wouldnt say mine leaks but my engine seeps like a biatch... oil everywhere. Yet despite all this oil evidently coming out of her (internally as well, puff of blue smoke on start up) rarely have to top it up between 5000km services and it runs like brand new (raced a friend in an 02 V6 Camry and it was dead heat... either both our cars have probs or mine is still running well - testament to the ruggedness of the engine)

As for threadstarter, your mind is already made up... but if it has the seals done recently I would see absolutely no issues as to using synthetic oil, in fact its going to ensure the engine lasts longer becaue its a better lubricant, more additives and longer life. But I agree on the price part, I have a relatively old Camry and I use semi-synthetic because the car has been neglected by the previous owner and because its cheap! $40AU as opposed to $60AU for Mobil 1 synthetic and I change my oil frequently n e way so Im not worried about intervals.

[JMSinMD]

It doesn't cause leaks, it just magnifies existing ones. The only reason I wouldn't recommend going to synthetic is this, if you're running a synthetic you should have an OCI of 10-15k, if you change it 3-5k it's a waste of money. Without knowing the history of the vehicle I would lean more towards 3k OCI. On most cars where you know the history 5k is sufficient but on one you don't you can't hurt with going 3k.

[rev_rock]

Synthetics tend to have a higher detergent level, since they are intended for extended drain intervals. A good quality synthetic will also contain additives that condition the seals to some extent. If your motor is in overall good condition, you shouldn't have any problems at all. I've got 151,000 miles on my Camry and use synthetic oil with no problems at all. If you make the switch, I'd change the filter after about 500 - 1000 miles, just to be safe. If you do experience some leaking, you can always change the filter and top off with an engine "stop leak", which will swell the seals a little more.