Hi all--

Killing time as I often do--wandering around in a parts house--I happened down the oil aisle. I saw that Havoline--my brand of choice--has a new oil for High Mileage cars. I stopped and read the label. What is this stuff and is it worth the extra buck a quart? I change my oil religiously and have for the last 20 years as well as always using good filters. This stuff claims to stop/slow oil loss. I am using a quart about every 1100 miles, so that got my attention.

What is your take on these kinds of oils?

Ok, back to work.

--Paul

 

I think they're a bit of a gimmick. I have yet to find out what's in these oils to make them such. They may have something of a seal sweller or a bit of STP in them for old tech engines but, geez, my last five daily drivers, all Japanese cars, went well over 100k without oil usage using conventional oil. I just don't see the need for that type of oil with my usage.

 

I have always wondered the same about the high mile oils. All I can say though is that with all the new fangled gimicks and items these days, every die hard old guy who has owned a variety of old cars all seem to tell me that you just need to add a little Marvel Mystery Oil to your car to keep things running smooth. They still make it, someone buys it, who I don't know for sure, but I have heard it so many times from so many folks that I'm thinking I should start trying it myslef. It would appear the stuff (in peoples minds at least) cures everything but cancer and the common cold.

 

Pak--That's true. My Dad always adds it to everything but, when pressed, couldn't tell me why other than he always did! "Lubricates the top end" is what I've heard others say.

Go figure

 

Well i can tell you this Paul, i've rebuided my 5.0 years ago and of course replaced both front and back crank seals.....i started getting a leak the size of a quarter everytime i took the car out for a ride.....I was using mobil1 synthetic oil.....then i happened to see this ad about Valvoline max life oil, must tell you that i was very scheptical about the product.....well believe it or not, the leaked stopped immediately after i changed the oil and filter.....my friend experienced the same problem with the same car and engine and his stopped too....So i'm really wondering what is in the stuff that makes it stop minor leaks....

 

hmm, the beater has been going for 180K and its never needed any special oil.

but im curious as to how this high miles oil works too...

 

What i think it is, well it must have something to do with the reaction between the molecules of the oil and the rubber of the seals, it interacts just like a 2 part epoxy glue works, it bonds with the seal and stop leaks... :scratch:

 

Hmmm. Maybe it is worth a try at the next oilchange. Only costs about 6 bucks more, so why not. . . .?

Daniel--Good to hear that someone had good luck with it! I've always heard that you didn't want to use a full synthetic on an older engine as they aren't "tight" enough to hold it in. Don't know if that is true, but it makes a good story!

--P

 

My only fear is that it is like the old seal sweller stuff. My father used to say "how the heck does it know the difference between a good and bad seal??". His point being that it would also swell a good seal and could cause a leak where none was before.

 

your not supposed to use syn to break an engine in. Use conventional and then switch to syn after 1000 miles

 

your not supposed to use syn to break an engine in. Use conventional and then switch to syn after 1000 miles
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I know, but i wanted to see if synthetic oil would change something...obviously it didn't.....it hasn't leaked since i switched to Valvoline Max life a year ago ...even with a rebuilded engine....go figure...

 

Check out...www.boss302.com/oil.htm

Interesting stuff...some believable some not but good read either way