Oil For A Tired Motor

[Ben Gatewood]

My '95 has a pretty tired motor and over the past 20 years I have to admit I haven't kept up with the oil changes as I should. I'm wondering if I should continue to use the recommended 10w-30 OR maybe try 50W...I'm thinking 50W would help reduce compression loss due to the cylinders prob being shot.

Anyone else try this?

 

[wjburken]

What do you mean by “tired”?

A little heavier weight oil might help, but I’d make sure that everything else is up to ***** as well.

When was the last time you changed the plugs and wires? They can get “tires” as well and affect power. While you have the plugs out, might try and run a compression test on all the cylinders to see where things stand in that regard.

 

[Danny3737]

I’d stick with the 10-30 especially if you are in a colder climate. You really aren’t looking at any significant compression gain. If you plan on using 20-50 and are anywhere where the temps dip below 40 at night, you’ll definitely be looking at premature wear especially at start up

 

[Ben Gatewood]

What do you mean by “tired”?

A little heavier weight oil might help, but I’d make sure that everything else is up to ***** as well.

When was the last time you changed the plugs and wires? They can get “tires” as well and affect power. While you have the plugs out, might try and run a compression test on all the cylinders to see where things stand in that regard.

By "Tired" I mean low in power - especially top-end. Low-end still feels kinda good and it's pretty responsive. The wires and plugs are almost new. I def feel like i have a compression problem. There's no exhaust leak either. The motor has 215k.

 

[Ben Gatewood]

I’d stick with the 10-30 especially if you are in a colder climate. You really aren’t looking at any significant compression gain. If you plan on using 20-50 and are anywhere where the temps dip below 40 at night, you’ll definitely be looking at premature wear especially at start up

I live in a pretty warm climate. You have a good point about putting more wear on the motor...making it work harder. I was just thinking a higher viscosity oil would help with cylinder compression.

 

[homesick]

How about the basics?

Is it using oil? Smoking? Level going down between changes? Leaking [much]?

joe

 

[theycallmecoyote]

Have you done a compression test? That alone will tell a lot about what's going on with your motor.

I would bet if you gave it a full blown intake cleaning (like the kind they do at a service shop, not just seafoam) you would get a pretty good result out of it. I did it on my last truck with only 70k on the clock and it was like night and day. Prob cost you about $100, worth a shot.

 

[exp500]

A 15-40 diesel engine oil would be a cood compromise as long as temps above 0. However it sounds like you need to run a diagnostic to determine if you need a tune up/injectors.

 

[Ben Gatewood]

How about the basics?

Is it using oil? Smoking? Level going down between changes? Leaking [much]?

joe

The engine oil level stays pretty steady. No smoking/not a drop of leaking.

 

[Ben Gatewood]

Have you done a compression test? That alone will tell a lot about what's going on with your motor.

I would bet if you gave it a full blown intake cleaning (like the kind they do at a service shop, not just seafoam) you would get a pretty good result out of it. I did it on my last truck with only 70k on the clock and it was like night and day. Prob cost you about $100, worth a shot.

I'll start with run of the diagnostics. This motor is due for some well deserved attention. I've kinda been neglectful....focusing on other life's challenges.