Synthetic oil

Mike Grimes · 05-16-2010, 10:07 PM

I have a 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 35L , workhorse 8.1 engine and I am thinking about going to synthetic oil, but have 3 questions if anyone has used it. 1- What has been your results, 2- what does it do to your warranty, 3- Can you use the longer time between changes without affecting engine warranty? Any information would be appreciated.

Mike

Davel · 05-16-2010, 11:20 PM

Mike,

I've used Mobil 1 since the first oil change and every 5,000 miles since. At 25,000 miles I sent a sample in to a lab just to be sure everything was OK. the reply was the oil was still good enough to continue using. Of course I had already changed the oil, but it made me feel confident with what I was doing. The oil passes all the specs with ease. I can't say what impact my program would have on your warranty, but I didn't worry about it in my case. I now have 40,000 miles and am waiting on my last sample report. I'm going to continue to check the oil every 20-25,000 miles just to be sure.

Good luck and happy travels,
Dave

DAN L · 05-16-2010, 11:31 PM

mike,
i use amsoil 10w-40 synthetic oil.

the manufactures recommended change intervals must be followed to keep your warranty in effect.

after my warranty expires, i plan on just having the oil analyzed every 5k miles or so. i use the 2 qt napa oil filter and plan on changing it every 5k miles.

Paul T · 05-17-2010, 08:35 PM

Who does the oil analysis for you folks and what is involved sending it off etc.

I switched to Mobile 1 at my regular oil change back in November with the intention of just changing it every 6 months versus the 3 months I used while under warrantee. It just seems a shame to do it again now having only put 400 miles on the rig over the winter months down here in Florida based on time versus mileage.

Lacking the verification of an oil analysis however I’ll just toss out that good stuff and throw in 7 fresh quarts of synthetic. Six months versus 3 is well worth the price differential IMHO.

DAN L · 05-17-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul T

Who does the oil analysis for you folks and what is involved sending it off etc.

I switched to Mobile 1 at my regular oil change back in November with the intention of just changing it every 6 months versus the 3 months I used while under warrantee. It just seems a shame to do it again now having only put 400 miles on the rig over the winter months down here in Florida based on time versus mileage.

Lacking the verification of an oil analysis however I’ll just toss out that good stuff and throw in 7 fresh quarts of synthetic. Six months versus 3 is well worth the price differential IMHO.

one way is this:

What is Oil Analysis?

JWatkins · 05-18-2010, 09:52 AM

Try Blackstone Labs
416 E.Petit Ave.
Fort Wayne IN.
260/744-2380 (8-5 EST)

Blackstone Labs

Good folks there for sure.
Joe

azloafer · 08-03-2010, 04:32 AM

Cost for analysis is $22.50

John Hilley · 08-03-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul T

Who does the oil analysis for you folks and what is involved sending it off etc.

I switched to Mobile 1 at my regular oil change back in November with the intention of just changing it every 6 months versus the 3 months I used while under warrantee. It just seems a shame to do it again now having only put 400 miles on the rig over the winter months down here in Florida based on time versus mileage.

Lacking the verification of an oil analysis however I’ll just toss out that good stuff and throw in 7 fresh quarts of synthetic. Six months versus 3 is well worth the price differential IMHO.

There is no reason to change your oil. Nothing could have contaminated it over the winter and you certainly didn't run the engine enough to wear out the oil.

I use Blackstone Labs and change my oil every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. I use the Motorcraft semi-synthetic oil and it is still good at 6,000 miles, but getting near needing a change.

RovinOn · 08-03-2010, 07:12 AM

I just follow the specified oil change intervals and I'm using Mobil1 as I do in all my vehicles. I do nothing special other than following mileage intervals. Have never had a sample taken and unless I have a problem of some sort probably never will.
I will say this though, I did have the opportunity to see the insides of an engine that was run on Mobil1 and it was spotless. The engine had high mileage but the guy who owned it, well his kid blew it!

Sad to say it was a Corvette engine!

Petro · 08-03-2010, 07:23 AM

I have been using Mobil1 for 3 years. I change at 5000 miles.

Don

thepratts · 08-03-2010, 02:15 PM

1. Engine runs a little cooler. I have never taken apart an engine after using synthetic but everybody says it is better.
2. No warranty issues, in fact many manufacturers put synthetic in when new. AmsOil may have some issues because it is not certified; but that is another discussion.
3. Keep to the normal intervals until out of warranty, then you may want to go longer. I usually change once per year.

JTN50 · 08-09-2010, 10:57 AM

When I bought my unit in 2002 I called W/H and asked them about Mobil 1 and the engineer said it run it 12,000 miles on regular oil and then start the mobil one. I have done just that and change it every 5,000 miles although I believe it could run a little longer with no issues.

azloafer · 08-09-2010, 01:57 PM

We see no need for synthetic oil in our coach because, with my DW still employed, we only put a couple thousand miles on in a year and have to change the oil yearly to keep our warranty up. Now in our cars it is a different story. We do use synthetic in them and have always extended the oil changes to 8,000 miles. We normally trade at 100,000 miles and have never had a problem. Joe

bobpie · 08-09-2010, 06:25 PM

I ran regular oil for the first 2 oil changes then I use Royal Purple syn. The engine did run a little cooler buy the dash temp guage, if you can trust that. 3000 to 5000 mile interval changes. No time limit, just milage.

kcir · 08-09-2010, 06:32 PM

I have used Mobile 1 in my 8.1 since 6000 miles- the first use of synthetic flushed all the sludge out of the motor and I thought I didnt do a complete drain of the regular oil. I changed it again with only a few hundred miles on the synthetic and the oil now stays as clean as when it was put in 3000 miles ago. I might have lost about 2-3 psi oil pressure on top and bottom readings now its 42 psi on the road and 25 psi at idle, also it runs cooler just below half on the temp gauge.

jwd53 · 08-15-2010, 07:28 PM

I have 19k on my 08 voyage. Is it too late to switch over?

JTN50 · 08-16-2010, 05:30 AM

No, as per the factory engineer I talked to in 2003 you are at the perfect time.