2nd Oil Change and Mystery

[TulsaSky]

Sky Redline mystery for the oil change again. So I have owned Skybaby 16 months now changed the oil at 3,000 miles and we had issues with putting in 5 quarts, took a little over 4. At that visit he noticed the turbo seal was leaking so off to the dealer to replace the O-ring and seal on the turbo, all is good again, not sure if the blown seal interfered with the oil properly draining out of the car. So almost a year later she is flashing me on the DIC, “Change Oil Soon” it’s down pass that 5% oil life mark with 12,500 miles on the OD that is about right. Since that “Change Oil Soon is so darn annoying comes on every time you start the car and have to turn it off, I head to my buddy’s Quaker State drive over the pit change oil place again. I wanted to wait till I had 10,000 miles between oil changes but that DIC is annoying, anyway watched him change the oil filter and the car sit and drained for 15-20 minutes oil was warm./hot. He opened a new 5-quart container of Mobil One and nope it did not take the 5 more like 4+ Drove it home another 10 miles highway up the hill and rechecked once in the garage and it is full, worst then running out is overfilling so the mystery continues why my Sky Redline does not take the full 5 quarts. The oil was very nice and clean when I checked it so I cannot see how that extra quart was left in the car, maybe I have a smaller oil pan on mine? Only GM knows! The other good news no leaks under my Skybaby, had the pinion seals recall done already, last month, so she is Good to Go

TulsaSky

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Sky Redline mystery for the oil change again. So I have owned Skybaby 16 months now changed the oil at 3,000 miles and we had issues with putting in 5 quarts, took a little over 4. At that visit he noticed the turbo seal was leaking so off to the dealer to replace the O-ring and seal on the turbo, all is good again, not sure if the blown seal interfered with the oil properly draining out of the car. So almost a year later she is flashing me on the DIC, “Change Oil Soon” it’s down pass that 5% oil life mark with 12,500 miles on the OD that is about right. Since that “Change Oil Soon is so darn annoying comes on every time you start the car and have to turn it off, I head to my buddy’s Quaker State drive over the pit change oil place again. I wanted to wait till I had 10,000 miles between oil changes but that DIC is annoying, anyway watched him change the oil filter and the car sit and drained for 15-20 minutes oil was warm./hot. He opened a new 5-quart container of Mobil One and nope it did not take the 5 more like 4+ Drove it home another 10 miles highway up the hill and rechecked once in the garage and it is full, worst then running out is overfilling so the mystery continues why my Sky Redline does not take the full 5 quarts. The oil was very nice and clean when I checked it so I cannot see how that extra quart was left in the car, maybe I have a smaller oil pan on mine? Only GM knows! The other good news no leaks under my Skybaby, had the pinion seals recall done already, last month, so she is Good to Go

TulsaSky

What is your criteria to determine you are full of oil ? I assume you are looking at the dipstick as this is the only way to know if you are full. Could your dipstick length be off?? This sounds really fishy. I change my own oil and i typically start the car, drive it around the block and let the car sit and let the oil settle after an oil change to get the right reading. I dont like the dipstick reader as its sort of hard to tell where the oil hits the mark but after 5 quarts , its always around where it should be. I would not wait 10k in between oil changes....but I guess its your preference.

[cfjara]

i guess as long as the oil is not running up the metal string..you should be ok.

[TulsaSky]

Originally Posted by cfjara

What is your criteria to determine you are full of oil ? I assume you are looking at the dipstick as this is the only way to know if you are full. Could your dipstick length be off?? This sounds really fishy. I change my own oil and i typically start the car, drive it around the block and let the car sit and let the oil settle after an oil change to get the right reading. I dont like the dipstick reader as its sort of hard to tell where the oil hits the mark but after 5 quarts , its always around where it should be. I would not wait 10k in between oil changes....but I guess its your preference.

Yep looking at the dipstick making sure its pulled out wiped off and pushed back in all the way it is to the top of the flat not up on the metal string, yes when the oil is clean its hard to read. The car sit for 10 minutes after I got home had to wipe off the dust. Let's not get a debate on when to change oil, old school every 3,000 miles conventional oil, new school let the car with the calculator that is checking the oil tell you when its time, good for environment and saves money, when done as suggested by Car's maintenance all is covered under warranty. Your prefernece to change more often go for IT


TulsaSky

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Yep looking at the dipstick making sure its pulled out wiped off and pushed back in all the way it is to the top of the flat not up on the metal string, yes when the oil is clean its hard to read. The car sit for 10 minutes after I got home had to wipe off the dust. Let's not get a debate on when to change oil, old school every 3,000 miles conventional oil, new school let the car with the calculator that is checking the oil tell you when its time, good for environment and saves money, when done as suggested by Car's maintenance all is covered under warranty. Your prefernece to change more often go for IT


TulsaSky

i just don't like bean counters deciding when to change my oil. By stating they have longer oil change intervals , they can sell you on low cost maintenance. If i told you , you had to spend $110 in oil changes every 2- 3 months..vs $40 on a miata , what would you say.

using a "computer" that uses RPM, engine temp , and mileage as input variables, while yes its worth the money and i praise the engineer who first developed the code... my point is this came down as a money decision...nothing to do with the environment or to make our lives easier.

Those of you who have owned a new BMW or mercedes know what I'm talking about when it comes to maintenance.

.does not mean it will account for oil burnoff when your car hits over 20k miles. or better yet...what if one of those inputs was off...

I'm a car buff and want the best for my Sky.

food for thought... Pampers is coming out with a Diaper which has twice the wetness capacity ... now we can change our newborns diapers after every other soiling.

..its not the best analogy but i thought i'd throw it in there.

[TulsaSky]

First off I don't suggest any one use the pampers for at some point you have to potty train the child. The pampers are so excellent the child does not know he potties so when that time comes for training you got a problem. I used cloth on my child and the little snot was house broken by 3 years not carrying her diaper to kindergarten like today!
O back to the oil change, yes on all cars before this new technology I did the 3,000 conventional oil change but we are using Mobil One a synthetic oil and it's suppose to last longer then 10,000 miles. Also my oil change only cost $53.00 dollars so I could do it twice as often as recommended but the question is why? The car is designed to run longer on the synthetic oil without having to change it.
It's not bean counters it was the designers (engineers) that decided the car did not need the oil changed every 3,000 miles. Wonder if that whole 3,000 mile oil change was really a conspiracy by the oil companies anyway?

Tulsasky

[xmicro_Redline]

With Conventional oil at 3000 miles in most smaller hard working older engines, it is black and by smelling it you know it is done.

I have to say I use Mobil one in both of my cars. In my SUV which I drive about 2500 Miles A MONTH, I go to 5000 Miles. On the Sky, I have been going by 3000-5000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. I do not trust 10,000 miles. I know synthetic is supposed to .................... blah blah,...... but I look at it like this, for $150 a year (with the low miles I put on) it is cheap insurance to help the engine possibly last longer.

I personally would never go over 5000 miles on any oil change. But for those who are not keeping the car long term, or do not need to squeeze 200,000 miles from there car, who cares, at least you are not voiding the warrantee!

[TulsaSky]

Last time I checked my oil a month ago it was still not black and dirty, it was still a dark gold color. I have seen oil that was so black and thick from a pick up I was surprised the engine ran after the oil was changed. So since the Corvette had an oil change less then 500 miles earlier and uses Mobil One also I compared my Sky oil on a white paper towel to the Corvette oil both from the dipsticks. My Sky oil is already slightly darker by a shade, so as just a guess I would say that not all the oil drained out perhaps from the turbo. I will be changing oil sooner then recomended by the car around 5000 miles.

TulsaSky

[cfjara]

Hey I have this wonderful business opportunity for us. I change my oil religiously every 3500 miles. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and premium PureOne oil filters. I will sell my used oil at half price for those who like to run their oil up to 10k. What do you think? I'll even pay for shipping? Any takers?

I'll guarantee no contamination and a full 5 quarts. Will you put my used oil in your car?

Hell, I'll even throw in the used oil filter? Interested. Now you can use the good stuff and get away with paying less than the $53 you pay for that cheap quaker state syn knock off.

This has got to be the opportunity of a life time for all those 10k beleivers.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

First off I don't suggest any one use the pampers for at some point you have to potty train the child. The pampers are so excellent the child does not know he potties so when that time comes for training you got a problem. I used cloth on my child and the little snot was house broken by 3 years not carrying her diaper to kindergarten like today!
O back to the oil change, yes on all cars before this new technology I did the 3,000 conventional oil change but we are using Mobil One a synthetic oil and it's suppose to last longer then 10,000 miles. Also my oil change only cost $53.00 dollars so I could do it twice as often as recommended but the question is why? The car is designed to run longer on the synthetic oil without having to change it.
It's not bean counters it was the designers (engineers) that decided the car did not need the oil changed every 3,000 miles. Wonder if that whole 3,000 mile oil change was really a conspiracy by the oil companies anyway?

Tulsasky

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Last time I checked my oil a month ago it was still not black and dirty, it was still a dark gold color. I have seen oil that was so black and thick from a pick up I was surprised the engine ran after the oil was changed. So since the Corvette had an oil change less then 500 miles earlier and uses Mobil One also I compared my Sky oil on a white paper towel to the Corvette oil both from the dipsticks. My Sky oil is already slightly darker by a shade, so as just a guess I would say that not all the oil drained out perhaps from the turbo. I will be changing oil sooner then recommended by the car around 5000 miles.

TulsaSky

Actually to my surprise Mobil 1 has 3 types of synthetics when I was at the wally world mart. I saw one oil that was for 5,000 miles, another option was oil for 7500 miles and what I use on my Sky, the 15,000 mile version. So "technically" it is possible to go 10k miles (or longer) per oil change. I personally just won't do it. I follow the DIC, but I also use my senses, and the old dip stick. Right now, I have been changing the oil bwt 6000-7500 miles even tho the DIC is no where near the 20% number. Also, I tend to wait to go to the dealer for oil change until I also have other issues to save time.

[TulsaSky]

Originally Posted by cfjara

Hey I have this wonderful business opportunity for us. I change my oil religiously every 3500 miles. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and premium Pure One oil filters. I will sell my used oil at half price for those who like to run their oil up to 10k. What do you think? I'll even pay for shipping? Any takers?

I'll guarantee no contamination and a full 5 quarts. Will you put my used oil in your car?

Hell, I'll even throw in the used oil filter? Interested. Now you can use the good stuff and get away with paying less than the $53 you pay for that cheap quaker state syn knock off.

This has got to be the opportunity of a life time for all those 10k beleivers.

Just FYI I worked in the Engineering department for Purolator for 5 years and they are and were the king of generic filters. They used to make K-Mart to Texaco oil and air filters. Know what the difference between the PureOne and K-Mart brand really is? Just the grade of paper that is it! Every other component in the K-Mart oil filter is exactly the same as the twice as expensive PureOne filter. And the lower grade paper in the K-mart is better then what the Automotive manufacture requires for the engine, now you know the real story!

Cfja Just FYI I did not but knock of Quaker State synthetic oil in my Sky, They put the Mobil ONE 5W-30 as specified on the oil cap in my car. Watched him open a NEW sealed 5 qt of Mobil One. Your religion of changing oil at 3500 is putting money in the oil compaines pocket and doing NOTHING to help prolong the life of you Sky's engine. Besides I don't want your little silvers of metal in my cars engine from your used oil.

Midnight I agree with you the Mobil One our Sky's were designed to use is suppose to last for that 10,000 between oil change without causing any damage to the car. But you just get nervous when the dipstick gets dark not golden.


TulsaSky

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Besides I don't want your little silvers of metal in my cars engine from your used oil.

TulsaSky

but you'd let your little metal slivers jump around in there for 10k miles?

[JoeBIII]

Originally Posted by xmicro_Redline

With Conventional oil at 3000 miles in most smaller hard working older engines, it is black and by smelling it you know it is done.

I have to say I use Mobil one in both of my cars. In my SUV which I drive about 2500 Miles A MONTH, I go to 5000 Miles. On the Sky, I have been going by 3000-5000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. I do not trust 10,000 miles. I know synthetic is supposed to .................... blah blah,...... but I look at it like this, for $150 a year (with the low miles I put on) it is cheap insurance to help the engine possibly last longer.

I personally would never go over 5000 miles on any oil change. But for those who are not keeping the car long term, or do not need to squeeze 200,000 miles from there car, who cares, at least you are not voiding the warrantee!

I was of the EXACT same opinion. I took my RL in for the first oil change at 4750 - and felt like i waited too long. I checked the oil before the change, and it was still almost as clear as water. not even a hint of being dirty. at first glance, it looked like my dipstick didn't have any oil on it. it ended up being so clean that i had to put it in a colored paper towel to get a reading of the level. Anyway.... i have a buddy that bought a Lotus Elise at the same time i got my RL. His also came loaded from the factory with synthetic. When he brought his in for service, the Lotus service guys (who i would have to assume are a little more performance savvy than the Saturn guys since they're not servicing sedans and SUVs) stated that Mobile 1 was so efficient that even approaching 10,000 miles on an oil change you really didn't even need to change it then. The service techs told him that it was really only the filter that needed to be changed - even after 10,000 miles. Amazing.

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Know what the difference between the PureOne and K-Mart brand really is? Just the grade of paper that is it! Every other component in the K-Mart oil filter is exactly the same as the twice as expensive PureOne filter.

TulsaSky

you make an excellent point....geez...i would have never noticed just by looking at our sky's oil filter that the only difference was the grade of paper..
Have you looked at it?

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by JoeBIII

I was of the EXACT same opinion. I took my RL in for the first oil change at 4750 - and felt like i waited too long. I checked the oil before the change, and it was still almost as clear as water. not even a hint of being dirty. at first glance, it looked like my dipstick didn't have any oil on it. it ended up being so clean that i had to put it in a colored paper towel to get a reading of the level. Anyway.... i have a buddy that bought a Lotus Elise at the same time i got my RL. His also came loaded from the factory with synthetic. When he brought his in for service, the Lotus service guys (who i would have to assume are a little more performance savvy than the Saturn guys since they're not servicing sedans and SUVs) stated that Mobile 1 was so efficient that even approaching 10,000 miles on an oil change you really didn't even need to change it then. The service techs told him that it was really only the filter that needed to be changed - even after 10,000 miles. Amazing.

Hey...psst...i have a great deal on used motor oil. You interested

[GhostRL]

Dark dipsticks just mean the oil is doing its job - cleaning the engine. Of course, some would prefer the contaminants and other misc. crap stay INSIDE the engine and have golden brown oil.

To each his own.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

Just FYI I worked in the Engineering department for Purolator for 5 years and they are and were the king of generic filters. They used to make K-Mart to Texaco oil and air filters. Know what the difference between the PureOne and K-Mart brand really is? Just the grade of paper that is it! Every other component in the K-Mart oil filter is exactly the same as the twice as expensive PureOne filter. And the lower grade paper in the K-mart is better then what the Automotive manufacture requires for the engine, now you know the real story!

Cfja Just FYI I did not but knock of Quaker State synthetic oil in my Sky, They put the Mobil ONE 5W-30 as specified on the oil cap in my car. Watched him open a NEW sealed 5 qt of Mobil One. Your religion of changing oil at 3500 is putting money in the oil compaines pocket and doing NOTHING to help prolong the life of you Sky's engine. Besides I don't want your little silvers of metal in my cars engine from your used oil.

Midnight I agree with you the Mobil One our Sky's were designed to use is suppose to last for that 10,000 between oil change without causing any damage to the car. But you just get nervous when the dipstick gets dark not golden.


TulsaSky

Since you have no sig, I can't tell iffen you own a R/L or s 2.4L.. The 15k M1 oil is NOT rated for the turbo... the 2.4L uses GM6094M, the 2.0L uses GM4718M. Mobil 15K is rated GM6094M ONLY which cannot be used in a turbo. The 7500 mile M 1 has both ratings GM6094M/GM4718M. So the NA can use either oil..