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Garfield1 · 03-15-2020, 03:05 PM

Been using standard 5W30 motor oil in my 2006 Itasca Suncruiser. It has the 8.1 Vortec engine. On the next oil change I was thinking of switching to Synthetic oil. I have only 41,000 miles on the engine. Would this be ok to do?

Garfield1

deblas · 03-15-2020, 03:10 PM

Yep...used 5w30 synthetic on my 03 Bounder w/8.1 for years when I had it. Changed 1/year given I only drove it 2-3k per year.

Itchytoe · 03-15-2020, 08:06 PM

Yep, switching to synthetic won't do any harm to your engine at all.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-16-2020, 08:13 AM

Sure. Go for it.

MotorPro · 03-16-2020, 08:28 AM

will changing to synthetic hurt? no except maybe your wallet. has what you have been using been working? if yes than why change?

GypsyR · 03-16-2020, 08:57 AM

In some cases changing over to synthetic can cause some gaskets and seals to leak. It's actually a pretty rare problem. THere are those that will say it can't and won't happen. To them I would say come on over to my house and explain it to my Dodge Caravan. On regular oil all it's life and I decided to treat it to some Mobil 1 like I run in our other cars. Cam seals and valve cover gaskets that were dry before poured like rivers. I still haven't replaced all the leakers but what I have replaced is sealing just fine.

Now this thing has almost 200K miles on it so consider that. I've slowly been converting my entire small fleet over to synthetic and the others haven't had issues, just. One reason I'm going to synthetic is that Mobil 1 is some of the bast out there and WalMart puts it on sale for $22 for a five quart bottle sometimes.

Most likely you won't have a problem but if you switch be sure to keep an eye out for leaks. Even with that chance I would still change over. My RV is the last one to get the swap to synthetic but I'm waiting until after our next short trip to do it even though I don't really expect problems.

DRM901 · 03-16-2020, 12:05 PM

I finally switched to semi-synthetic. If you have any concerns about switching over to full synthetic, then this would be a reasonable half step. But I've never seen a direct switch be a problem, and I have a professional mechanic in the family who would have said something if he had run into it being an issue.

If you are driving in the mountains where the engine is taxed more, then I for sure would transition to a full synthetic over the next couple oil changes. If you drive 55 on mostly flat highways, change your oil regularly, then a semi-synthetic would do fine.

Mudfrog · 03-16-2020, 10:44 PM

My manual states to change the oil at 7500 miles or annually, whichever comes first. I average less than 2000 miles a year so the oil change is annual for me. In my case, it would be silly for me to pay twice as much for synthetic but then throw it out with so few miles on it.

I'd probably go with synthetic if I drove more and mileage was the determining factor.

SmilingSam · 10-23-2020, 03:43 PM

Yep synthetic in EVERYTHING is best, rear diffs can go 200k w/ synthetic, but put synthetic in all things for piece of mind, including your trans, allison or not !

and if you want synthetic at a great price, walmart or amazon are great, google for test comparisons, as well as amazon at least has higher accreditation than many - but that is just a paid for testing rating.

Good Luck, that motor needs some TLC !!

jabassmaster · 10-24-2020, 07:49 AM

Check out costco for oil. They now carry synthetic oil....two gals for in-store price of $25.00 (0-20, 5-30) and they now carry diesel 15-40 ...

Isaac-1 · 10-24-2020, 05:47 PM

Synthetic oil does not cause seals and gaskets to leak, though it can dissolve the sludge in the engine that might be plugging up a leaking seal or gasket.

HarryStone · 10-24-2020, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Synthetic oil does not cause seals and gaskets to leak, though it can dissolve the sludge in the engine that might be plugging up a leaking seal or gasket.

Exactly. That is what I was going to type, you beat me to it. I use the Wal-Mart brand of synthetic oil, it's half the price of Mobil 1 and just as good.

153stars · 10-24-2020, 09:09 PM

Kind of mad my Sams store stopped carrying their 5-30 10-30 12 Qt. cases of Prime brand syn. oil . it was best bang for buck going. Made easy to do two 4.5qt changes and add any extra top off needed to make 5k miles and have some for lawnmowers and such.

Xmcdog · 10-25-2020, 02:01 AM

I run Mobil one in everything. From my car, diesel pickup, lawn mowers, snowblower, and kubota tractor. Have been using this oil since 1980 with no problems at all. Would never go back to "Dino" oil.