[shovelrick]

My 05 Chevy work van with a 4.8 Vortech and 156K miles that calls for 5w30 is due for an oil change, I have a new 5 qt. bottle of Napa (Valvoline) 10w30 Dino oil that I bought for my Chevelle but going to use a different oil in the car, think it'll hurt anything using the 10w30 in the 4.8 ?, I use Napa Gold (WIX) filters, TIA, rick. P.S. I know I need 6 qts.

 

[hydro462]

This is the time of year to use the thicker oil if your going to do it.. I'm in the same boat as you. I have a 2001 Chevy Express 3500 work truck with the 350. It runs so nice, I'm afraid to change anything.. That NAPA oil has always been a quality oil... I use Mobil I 5W30 in everything, my 454, my trucks 350, my snow blower, lawn mower (4 cycle).. Never any issue..

 

[shovelrick]

Yeah and it's 92* outside right now so I'm thinking it'll be OK, I'm one of those people that ask a bunch of questions if I'm not 100% sure before doing something lol, I believe never a dumb question only dumb answers LOL

 

[GLHS60]

The only thing it will do is raise your oil pressure slightly!!

Some newer Engines are having cam/lifter issues.

Possibly due to too thin Engine oil.

5-30 is too thin for me but I'm old.

Thanks
Randy

 

[shovelrick]

I've seen 0w20 on the shelves and I think it's for the tight clearances of new engines but my work van with 156,000 miles is far from new but runs like new, the 10w30 goes in as soon as the 92° drops down some

 

[hydro462]

Same here, I like to know as much as possible.. There are people who figure things out for a living, make a few marks on paper and that's it, we figure them out, install them and make them work or guess what, no money..

 

[71350SS]

My con. theory is the 0w-20 & 5w-20 oils are specified to help the cat-converters live on cars/trucks that use a quart of oil every 3-5K miles.Motor oil has one of the worst effects on cats of all the things that the exhaust system bypasses and since they have to guarantee the cat for 100K/10yr. it helps keep the warranty bills down.Anyways,thats my conspiracy theory imo.

 

[77 cruiser]

I used to use 0w-30 mobil 1 in my 150K mile work beater, when I could find it. I didn't seem to mind in the summer.

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

My con. theory is the 0w-20 & 5w-20 oils are specified to help the cat-converters live on cars/trucks that use a quart of oil every 3-5K miles.Motor oil has one of the worst effects on cats of all the things that the exhaust system bypasses and since they have to guarantee the cat for 100K/10yr. it helps keep the warranty bills down.Anyways,thats my conspiracy theory imo.

My Tundras use 0w-20 they have the same oil pressure since new they don’t drip oil or burn oil. 0w-20 is because of tighter engine bearing tolerance and better fuel economy. I’ve also thought the first number was the cold flow 5w-30 is the same as 10w-30 when hot. Just cold flow the 10 is thicker.

 

[shovelrick]

Well I just did the oil change, luckily my shop/ storage is only a half mile down the road because I left the new oil filter at home lol, pulled the van in front of the garage the Chevelle is in (X2

so couldn't take it) and dumped the oil and filter and already had the oil there since I had planned on using it in the Chevelle and looked around for the filter and remembered it was on the front screened in porch on a shelf next to the door lol, so after my extra exercise of a 1 mile walk I got my oil change almost finished.. Still have to add 1 more qt to the 6 qt oil pan but I did beat the evening rain we've been having so all good, But I do have an oil leak and my mechanic said it was rear main seal but Im wondering if the external oil cooler lines could be the leak?

 

[shovelrick]

I tried to edit but dont know what happened Im on my phone and sure thats the prob

 

[jeff swisher]

Yep that looks like the oil has been cleaning that area off pretty well.
I would bet the oil leak is from that area.
I like to power wash my undercarriage and engine compartment after oil changes.

Looks like you could use one

 

[jeff swisher]

I have used many different weight oils as a test in my Corolla.
It calls for 5-30 I have went 0-20 and 10-40 and 5-40.
Rotella T6 gave the absolute best MPG of all oils I tested.
Mobil 1 synthetic -Royal purple, Castrols and Valvoline oils were tested and Wal-mart brand was tested.

This was purely a MPG test and all oils were left in for 1,000 miles and new filters were used each time.
Thinner oils did not improve MPG
Conventional oil would turn in 27 MPG Walmart synthetic was 29 MPG 33 MPG from the Mobil synthetics no matter the weight.
T6 was 35 MPG.
This 1995 Corolla now has 351,000 miles and still going strong.

Original coolant hoses and only hose I have replaced under the hood has been the PCV hose.
Keeping all oils off rubber hoses will make them last almost forever.
26 years old and that many miles and hoses feel and look like new.

 

[shovelrick]

I'm thinking take the 2 bolts out of the oil cooler line block and replace that gasket, would've been great to do that while it didn't have any oil in it, wonder how much if any oil I'll lose doing it now?

 

[busterwivell]

My wife's Tahoe has a 5.3. I've been using 5w30 in it for all of it's 305,000 miles. I've been contemplating switching to 10w30 in it from mow on, just so I'm not buying so many different weights of oils. I use 10w30 in the 454 in my 71 pickup. Would just be simpler.

 

[bracketchev1221]

5W30 and 10W30 will act the same in warmer weather and at engine running temperature. It will affect nothing. It is not a thicker oil it won't change oil pressure at all. I forget the standard for W rating whether it is 0F or 32F, but it is the viscosity in cold temperatures. Once it is warm, the oil flows at 30 weight viscosity.

 

[wes migletz]

I can't find the link, but I read something written by one of the cam companies that the 0W20 and 0W30 weight oils weren't good for the retrofit roller lifters because it was draining off the rollers while sitting, even for short periods, resulting in premature lifter failure. The article recommended 5w30 or 10W30 for longer lifter life.

 

[shovelrick]

I noticed today every time I start the van the dash lights that only light up for a moment 1 says "Reduced Engine Power" I've never noticed that before and wonder if it really means anything since my van is running normal and fine

 

[540 Olds]

Nice pics...I guess it is "5 o'clock somewhere"...