Slow conversion to synth oil; 1988 2.2 turbo II

Hello All:

Let me preface this with I have always been a proponent of frequent
oil changes with conventional motor oil vs extended change intervals
with synthetic oil. I keep my cars a long time, and have always
changed the oil at 2K (no, not 3K ) mile intervals. I use plain Jane
Valvoline, and try to stock up cases of the stuff when there are
rebates that equate to $0.89/quart.

I work with an AMSOIL distributor, and am convinced that 0w30 is
probably the right thing to do for the Lancer Shelby. I bought this
car new, and currently at 82K miles it has had only 10w30 conventional
Valvoline changes at 2K intervals when it was a daily driver, now down
to once a year at around 500 mile intervals.

I have mentioned that switching to synth oil this late in the game
will cause massive oil "hemorrhaging" everywhere. My trusty AMSOIL
distributor recommended perhaps a slow conversion, using one quart of
0w30 with three quarts of conventional on my next change, then 50-50,
then full 0w30. He commented that "AMSOIL does not recommend this, due
to the fact that you cannot use extended drain periods, but otherwise
it is not a problem."

So, my LeBaron, and Impala will continue with the conventional oil and
2K intervals, but the once a year Lancer may get a synth conversion.

OPINIONS, PLEASE! Let's hear it all!

Thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

 

Switching to synthetic oil doesn't really CAUSE oil leaks, merely
exposes failing gaskets that were "good enough" for conventional oil
that has larger and non-uniform molecule sizes compared to synthetic.
I've switched several (used) vehicles to synthetic at near-100K miles
with zero oil leakage other than at points where the gaskets were
already suspect (oil-soaked, weeping). No weaning required.

 

Leaks... I wasn't thinking about that when I started reading this. I'd
be concerned about the possibility of old sludge accumulations breaking
free and blocking oil passages.

I did a sudden switch to Mobil 1 with a Toyota 4 cyl. 22R in its later
life, and very soon after that it started having recurring episodes of
low oil pressure accompanied by loud engine ticking.
I think that I usually used "waxy" Pennzoil before the switch, and this
Lancer's engine may be cleaner than mine was, but I wouldn't take the
gamble.

 

I agree with Beryl. Anyone who tells you there is no risk in switching
over at high mileage is flat out wrong regardless of how many times they
may have done it successfully. It may work fine, but there is
definitely risk. I don't know what the statistics are, but there are
definite risks.

I switched a turbo'd Subaru over (from Castrol to Cstrol Syntec) at 180k
miles and had to switch back. The valve clatter didn't stop until I
took measures to get the lifters cleaned out from whatever got into them
and either stuck the pistons or interfered with the check valves.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')