put the wrong oil in my car, is this bad?

[jagec]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
I have full synthetic (tho not really synthetic now (mobil1 5w20 full synthetic)) and it runs fine in summer/winter. Just dont switch to synthetic if you have put in non-synthetic motor oil in the past, especially with a camry with that many miles. You will cause problems and have oil leaks/burning oil

125k on a 99?

It's fine. You kids have no IDEA what "high mileage" actually means, much less "older car".

Originally posted by: wonderwrench
Yup most engine wear happens on startup. Thats one of the reasons conventional oil is crap. Synthetic is the only way to go. Better hot and cold and they keep engines much cleaner.

So how come most of the people who work at Blackstone Labs (you know, the oil-analysis place) use the regular stuff? Mind you, these are people who are MEASURING ENGINE WEAR AND CLEANLINESS DIRECTLY, not just guessing based on how much money was slipped into their pockets behind closed doors.

Sythetic is better, but it's not MUCH better, and frankly it's not really worth the cost of admission for engines that aren't highly stressed. I use synthetic on my motorcycle. I don't on my car.

 

[okodies]

Hey all... well I pulled a really bad blond moment, no offence anyone...but I put half a quart of 30W non-detergent oil in my engine, realized after about 1/2 in, how bad did I did I screw up? should I get oil change immiediatley? Help? thx

 

[Vette73]

Hey all... well I pulled a really bad blond moment, no offence anyone...but I put half a quart of 30W non-detergent oil in my engine, realized after about 1/2 in, how bad did I did I screw up? should I get oil change immiediatley? Help? thx

No you will be fine.

If you put in several quarts then I would change. But 1/2 a Qt don;t worry.

 

[skyking]

No you will be fine.

If you put in several quarts then I would change. But 1/2 a Qt don;t worry.

What he said. You'll be fine.
On the original topic, I made the mistake of using 10w40 in my camry several years ago. It calls for 5w30.
15k miles go by, a couple of changes and I start to get the clicketey lifters.
I check around and find out I was a numbskull for doing that.
I put the proper oil back in and the lifters cleaned up within a few thousand miles. I've put another 90K or so on it since.

 

[desy]

Was that one of the sludging Camry's?

 

[Kasshat]

I think the point was completely missed on Oil viscosity on the Newer “high performance” engines......the lighter oil....in a overhead cam engine is because.....the oil serves a double purpose on the newer VVT engines(variable valve timing)....or the dirty word Cam Phasers....the oil is used for lubricant yes but it’s also used as a hydraulic oil to keep Cam chains tight and adjust valve timing for performance. Lighter weight oil allowed them to do everything without needing a hydraulic oil(thin like water flows when cold) otherwise they would need 2 different oil systems or....what diesels have blockheaters to keep the oil thin. 7.3l and 6.0l Powerstroke engines have 2 oil pumps, 1 for lubrication and to pump oil to the second pump which is a hydraulic pump and takes 50psi and creates 500+psi while trying to start and easily 2,000+psi running down the road the high psi is actually what fires the injectors....this is a common failure issue. Now do your research and you will see the 5.4 04^ motors were notorious for pump failure causing Cam chain slack that sounded like rod knock and many misdiagnosed engines were replaced. Synthetic is better hence 5k oil changes and not 3k, too thick of oil will also cause issues in newer vehicles because the pumps are not built for heavy weight oil and they struggle to pump it causing well..you have the Degree.....Of course some of us self taught master mechanics didn’t get a degree......but...but it helps...it sure does help you to think it’s because of tight tolerance and sound smart. Diesel engines are 14.1+ compression and use friction to cause heat igniting the fuel.....tight tolerances yet no 5w20?

 

[ultimatebob]

I used to have a Chevy Cruze with a nasty oil leak. It took 5W-30 synthetic blend, but I got away with putting 10W-30 in it for at least a few thousand miles. Of course, when your car leaks a quart of oil every 500 miles like that one did, it probably doesn't matter what kind of oil you put in there

 

[BonzaiDuck]

What's the price of an oil change? Lots of good opinions here, but if I made that mistake with my '95 Trooper, I'd just change the oil ASAP.

I'm mildly pissed because I had to use a new repair shop in October since my mechanic of 15 years retired. I told them "synthetic" but also told them "use your own judgment about the weight -- either 30W or 40W." They used 30W regular motor oil. But I only drive <= 3,000 miles per year, so I can wait 12 months. . . .

Also, I've been reviewing my repair orders on the Troop for the last 17 years. Came to my attention I might have avoided some trouble 10 years ago if I'd paid attention to the timing belt according to the factory maintenance schedule. You have 125K on the Camry. Are you on top of that issue?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

It's like somebody is just registering new accounts to resurrect ancient threads. WTF?

 

[fritzfield]

Yeh. It's Christmas not Easter.

 

[HarryLui]

Someone please kill this thread.