Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help???

hartigan · 25-August-06, 07:10 AM

Hey there!!

I'd like to change my car's lubrication over to synthetic. Are there any special steps I should take?

Here's what I'm planning on so far . . .

1) Empty old oil into pan and take to local service station for disposal.

2) Dump 2 cans of CRC Engine Flush and flush engine per instructions.

3) Empty flush into pan and dispose of as indicated above.

4) Remove Oil Filter and replace with new one.

5) Refill engine with synthetic oil that I've chosen.

I have a 99 Ford Escort LX.

Any help would be appreciated.

-hartigan

RBIEZE · 25-August-06, 07:19 AM

Not a big fan of the engine flush,burned a cam using it once.
but otherwise sounds good.

Myself I would just do a normal oil change.
99% of synthetic oils are now compatible with petrolium based oils

Marc · 25-August-06, 07:34 AM

No special step needed. Just drain ,replace filter,and add synthetic.
The flush wouldn't hurt but it's not necessary. Also note that it is intended to be added to the oil, not to be run straight(all flush & no oil).

hartigan · 25-August-06, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBIEZE


	Myself I would just do a normal oil change. 99% of synthetic oils are now compatible with petrolium based oils

That sounds great. Anywhere I can skip a step and save some money works for me!!

Thanks for the advice guys!!

-hartigan

RBIEZE · 25-August-06, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc


	No special step needed. Just drain ,replace filter,and add synthetic. The flush wouldn't hurt but it's not necessary. Also note that it is intended to be added to the oil, not to be run straight(all flush & no oil).

I didnt catch the part about adding flush AFTER the oil drain.

Using it straight would be a disaster!!!
Thats Gaurenteed to ruin or at least damage your engine.

hartigan · 25-August-06, 08:35 AM

Yeah, I'm just going to avoid the issue completely by not flushing and just letting the pan empty completely.

Thanks again for the help!!

-hartigan

HoJo · 25-August-06, 09:44 AM

I would skip steps 2 and 3 which it sounds like youve already decided to do. You should be good to go.

hartigan · 28-August-06, 11:17 AM

Thanks for all the help guys!!

Over the weekend, thanks for your help I was able to do the following:

1) Change Oil
2) Change Oil Filter
3) Install new Spark Plugs and Spark Plug Wires
4) Change PCV Valve
5) Change Air Filter
6) Change Fuel Filter (this one was a little tough due to its location)
7) Install new (much brighter) headlights
8) Change wiper blades to better quality, all weather blades.

I know all of this is very basic novice-level work, but it felt good to do it myself.

Again, thanks for the help.

-hartigan

THRiLL KiLL · 28-August-06, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartigan


	Thanks for all the help guys!! Over the weekend, thanks for your help I was able to do the following: 1) Change Oil 2) Change Oil Filter 3) Install new Spark Plugs and Spark Plug Wires 4) Change PCV Valve 5) Change Air Filter 6) Change Fuel Filter (this one was a little tough due to its location) 7) Install new (much brighter) headlights 8) Change wiper blades to better quality, all weather blades. I know all of this is very basic novice-level work, but it felt good to do it myself. Again, thanks for the help. -hartigan

yeah sounds basic... but its better then being bent over by a car shop

Highperf15 · 28-August-06, 08:50 PM

Just drain the damn oil, replace the filter and put in the synthetic.........But remember, once you go to synthetic, don't go back to regular............that is a definite NO....NO....

OCBeats · 28-August-06, 09:05 PM

Sorry to disagree with you all, but the engine flush really is a helpful step. it removes metal flakes and such that is stuck inside with the remaining oil. And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil). As long as you put enough in, it wouldn't damage the engine. my credentials aren't all that great as i worked at jiffy lube. And we all know what an upstanding business they are...lol...but i would recommend it none-the-less.
Cheers

RBIEZE · 28-August-06, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCBeats


	And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil). As long as you put enough in, it wouldn't damage the engine. my credentials aren't all that great as i worked at jiffy lube. Cheers

No! Thats how you burn bearings and cams.

Highperf15 · 28-August-06, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCBeats


	Sorry to disagree with you all, but the engine flush really is a helpful step. it removes metal flakes and such that is stuck inside with the remaining oil. And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil). As long as you put enough in, it wouldn't damage the engine. my credentials aren't all that great as i worked at jiffy lube. And we all know what an upstanding business they are...lol...but i would recommend it none-the-less. Cheers

I'm not a big fan of the flush myself. But then again I'm "Old School" and I do maintain my cars well with oil changes every 2,500-3,000 miles. When I went to synthetic in my truck, I simply did a usual oil change with normal oil and drove it about 500 miles and then switched to synthetic.

j-dogg · 28-August-06, 09:18 PM

i wouldn't use synthetic unless you have less than 50k on your motor. I have 25k on my rebuild, synthetic is a penetrating oil, it will find itself into every nook and cranny inside your motor and if there are unruly seals in your engine, guess where your expensive synthetic oil is going.

Marc · 28-August-06, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCBeats


	engine flush really is a helpful step.And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil).* As long as you put enough in,*

I'd have to strongly advise against anybody doing this, that is if you want your motor to last.
As I stated before the flush wouldn't hurt, but it should be added to oil. An engine should never be ran without any oil in it.

Highperf15 · 28-August-06, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-dogg


	i wouldn't use synthetic unless you have less than 50k on your motor. I have 25k on my rebuild, synthetic is a penetrating oil, it will find itself into every nook and cranny inside your motor and if there are unruly seals in your engine, guess where your expensive synthetic oil is going.

You can use synthetic on on any engine as long as the viscosity is right................

http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/carcare/whattoknow.asp

s1ugh34d · 28-August-06, 10:06 PM

Personally i use penzoil Synthetic in my car, and i just ran a clean engine oil change and filter change (with a nice new K&N filter and filled it with some synthetic, my 95 ford escort LX with 110K runs great with it, and i've never had a leak plus my gas milage went up about 2 MPG and the car just sounds better, no clanking and overheating, though most of that was related to my broken power steering pump, and my mothers lack of car maintenace

killert · 28-August-06, 10:11 PM

Couldnt you do a flush with the ignition unpluged? no spark= No engine running, so it just turns over no running.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Highperf15 · 28-August-06, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killert


	Couldnt you do a flush with the ignition unpluged? no spark= No engine running, so it just turns over no running. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

No, because your engine has to be at operating temperature to work (for expansion of all the engine components).........You would burn your starter out before the flush would be effective......

HoJo · 28-August-06, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCBeats


	Sorry to disagree with you all, but the engine flush really is a helpful step. it removes metal flakes and such that is stuck inside with the remaining oil. And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil). As long as you put enough in, it wouldn't damage the engine. my credentials aren't all that great as i worked at jiffy lube. And we all know what an upstanding business they are...lol...but i would recommend it none-the-less. Cheers

Having turned wrenches for 25 years I have to say I've never seen anything good come from an engine flush. Usually the car is in within a year with something seriously wrong like a rod knock. Now I admit there is no way to say that this would not have happened without the flush but it sure didn't prevent it. The best way to avoid problems is regular maintenance. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

25-August-06, 07:10 AM		#1 (permalink)
hartigan Apex Tech God	Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Hey there!! I'd like to change my car's lubrication over to synthetic. Are there any special steps I should take? Here's what I'm planning on so far . . . 1) Empty old oil into pan and take to local service station for disposal. 2) Dump 2 cans of CRC Engine Flush and flush engine per instructions. 3) Empty flush into pan and dispose of as indicated above. 4) Remove Oil Filter and replace with new one. 5) Refill engine with synthetic oil that I've chosen. I have a 99 Ford Escort LX. Any help would be appreciated. -hartigan

25-August-06, 07:19 AM		#2 (permalink)
RBIEZE Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Not a big fan of the engine flush,burned a cam using it once. but otherwise sounds good. Myself I would just do a normal oil change. 99% of synthetic oils are now compatible with petrolium based oils

25-August-06, 07:34 AM		#3 (permalink)
Marc Apex Master Tech	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? No special step needed. Just drain ,replace filter,and add synthetic. The flush wouldn't hurt but it's not necessary. Also note that it is intended to be added to the oil, not to be run straight(all flush & no oil).

25-August-06, 08:35 AM		#6 (permalink)
hartigan Apex Tech God	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Yeah, I'm just going to avoid the issue completely by not flushing and just letting the pan empty completely. Thanks again for the help!! -hartigan

25-August-06, 09:44 AM		#7 (permalink)
HoJo Review Pimp, but still Jo's Ho	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? I would skip steps 2 and 3 which it sounds like youve already decided to do. You should be good to go.

28-August-06, 11:17 AM		#8 (permalink)
hartigan Apex Tech God	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Thanks for all the help guys!! Over the weekend, thanks for your help I was able to do the following: 1) Change Oil 2) Change Oil Filter 3) Install new Spark Plugs and Spark Plug Wires 4) Change PCV Valve 5) Change Air Filter 6) Change Fuel Filter (this one was a little tough due to its location) 7) Install new (much brighter) headlights 8) Change wiper blades to better quality, all weather blades. I know all of this is very basic novice-level work, but it felt good to do it myself. Again, thanks for the help. -hartigan

28-August-06, 08:50 PM		#10 (permalink)
Highperf15 a.k.a., Frank Bullitt	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Just drain the damn oil, replace the filter and put in the synthetic.........But remember, once you go to synthetic, don't go back to regular............that is a definite NO....NO....

28-August-06, 09:05 PM		#11 (permalink)
OCBeats Apex Advanced Techie	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Sorry to disagree with you all, but the engine flush really is a helpful step. it removes metal flakes and such that is stuck inside with the remaining oil. And you should run it for 5 min without anything else in it (ie oil). As long as you put enough in, it wouldn't damage the engine. my credentials aren't all that great as i worked at jiffy lube. And we all know what an upstanding business they are...lol...but i would recommend it none-the-less. Cheers

28-August-06, 09:18 PM		#14 (permalink)
j-dogg Mystical Schwinn Guru	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? i wouldn't use synthetic unless you have less than 50k on your motor. I have 25k on my rebuild, synthetic is a penetrating oil, it will find itself into every nook and cranny inside your motor and if there are unruly seals in your engine, guess where your expensive synthetic oil is going.

28-August-06, 10:06 PM		#17 (permalink)
s1ugh34d Apex Tech God	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Personally i use penzoil Synthetic in my car, and i just ran a clean engine oil change and filter change (with a nice new K&N filter and filled it with some synthetic, my 95 ford escort LX with 110K runs great with it, and i've never had a leak plus my gas milage went up about 2 MPG and the car just sounds better, no clanking and overheating, though most of that was related to my broken power steering pump, and my mothers lack of car maintenace

28-August-06, 10:11 PM		#18 (permalink)
killert Apex Tech God	Re: Auto: Going from Petroleum to Synthetic Oil Help??? Couldnt you do a flush with the ignition unpluged? no spark= No engine running, so it just turns over no running. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

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