OIL Change?
01-11-2008, 11:09 PM
#1
Kgriner
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OIL Change?
If an Rx8 requires an additional quart of oil about every 2k miles, holds four quarts -and if as some critics of the 3k oil change state- oil change intervals can go up to 5k miles; shouldn't we be able to do a filter change every 3k miles, or even every 5k miles without changing the oil?
My Chevy Avalanche burns almost no oil at all, so when I do a change, I am changing old oil. In my RX8 however, I am constantly adding oil, so it never really gets old....
These cars burn enough oil so that every time that I change mine, I'm seeing really clean oil, which feels and smells great. In addition, I would be adding an additional quart to replace the oil lost when I change the filter.
This is all on the theory that just because oil gets dark, it does not loose its protective properties. I know this to be true as I have a chevy Avalanche with over 200k that that I only change every 5k since I purchased it.
I want to try this no oil change theory with oil analysis' done at certain intervals to ensure I still have good viscosity. BUT BEFORE I embark on this...Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
My Chevy Avalanche burns almost no oil at all, so when I do a change, I am changing old oil. In my RX8 however, I am constantly adding oil, so it never really gets old....
These cars burn enough oil so that every time that I change mine, I'm seeing really clean oil, which feels and smells great. In addition, I would be adding an additional quart to replace the oil lost when I change the filter.
This is all on the theory that just because oil gets dark, it does not loose its protective properties. I know this to be true as I have a chevy Avalanche with over 200k that that I only change every 5k since I purchased it.
I want to try this no oil change theory with oil analysis' done at certain intervals to ensure I still have good viscosity. BUT BEFORE I embark on this...Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
01-11-2008, 11:23 PM
#2
Lets not forget that when you're changing oil you only drain about a bit more than 1/2 of what you have, the other 1/2 are stuck in the engine, lines, and 2 oil coolers.
Yes you probably added a quart something, but lets not forget there are still very old oil still running around inside, and since Rotary naturally runs so hot, it degrades the oil faster than ever. and when the oil looses its power, you're running nothing but some useless crap.
Yes you probably added a quart something, but lets not forget there are still very old oil still running around inside, and since Rotary naturally runs so hot, it degrades the oil faster than ever. and when the oil looses its power, you're running nothing but some useless crap.
01-11-2008, 11:27 PM
#3
I am blown away how often this question is asked on this forum.
Did you know that there is something called an "oil metering pump" that injects oil directly into the engine to keep the apex seals lubricated?
That's where the lost engine oil is going.
Did you know that there is something called an "oil metering pump" that injects oil directly into the engine to keep the apex seals lubricated?
That's where the lost engine oil is going.
01-11-2008, 11:33 PM
#4
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Interesting concept. I believe there are engines that are maintained that way.
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
01-11-2008, 11:39 PM
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Kgriner
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True But...
True, but that oil is all eventually mixed with the other oil that added and these impurities are eventually burned off too...Its a cycle. Because so much oil is replaced every 2k miles, everything is eventually burnded off....
Lets not forget that when you're changing oil you only drain about a bit more than 1/2 of what you have, the other 1/2 are stuck in the engine, lines, and 2 oil coolers.
Yes you probably added a quart something, but lets not forget there are still very old oil still running around inside, and since Rotary naturally runs so hot, it degrades the oil faster than ever. and when the oil looses its power, you're running nothing but some useless crap.
Yes you probably added a quart something, but lets not forget there are still very old oil still running around inside, and since Rotary naturally runs so hot, it degrades the oil faster than ever. and when the oil looses its power, you're running nothing but some useless crap.
01-11-2008, 11:41 PM
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Good
OUTSTANDING points!
Interesting concept. I believe there are engines that are maintained that way.
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
01-11-2008, 11:45 PM
#8
quick and easy.
yes the car burns oil.. how much depends on how you drive it...
the top full line to the bottom add line is 1.75 qts.
the system hold ~ 7 qts...
if you drain it level you will get out 4... go to the diy forum. seach max out oil change.. you can get out ~ 6qts..
the oil filter might hold 8 oz at most..
btw, i change at 5k miles... but i get it all out..
beers
yes the car burns oil.. how much depends on how you drive it...
the top full line to the bottom add line is 1.75 qts.
the system hold ~ 7 qts...
if you drain it level you will get out 4... go to the diy forum. seach max out oil change.. you can get out ~ 6qts..
the oil filter might hold 8 oz at most..
btw, i change at 5k miles... but i get it all out..
beers
01-11-2008, 11:48 PM
#9
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Viscosity
BTW, re: It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up.
Not true, all the additives that are in oil either directly or indirectly help ensure viscosity, the longevity of the oil, or both. To some means, this is a big part of oil/additives job. With the addition of metal particles derived from engine wear, viscosity suffers... IT HAS TO if the particles are suspended in the oil...and they are to one degree or another. Ever put a magnetic drain plug on a car????
Not true, all the additives that are in oil either directly or indirectly help ensure viscosity, the longevity of the oil, or both. To some means, this is a big part of oil/additives job. With the addition of metal particles derived from engine wear, viscosity suffers... IT HAS TO if the particles are suspended in the oil...and they are to one degree or another. Ever put a magnetic drain plug on a car????
Interesting concept. I believe there are engines that are maintained that way.
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
The 8's filter does not hold a quart. It's about the size of a cup. Changing the filter every 3K, and adding a quart every 2K, you'd be replacing less than two quarts. Every 5K you'd still be replacing less than the four quarts of an oil change.
With 3K oil changes, the combined change and burn amounts to 5 1/2 quarts.
It isn't really viscosity that goes away with mileage on oil. The additives get used up. IMHO, it's a good idea to keep the crud in the oil diluted as much as possible. With the 8 holding a couple of quarts more than are drained, I wouldn't skimp on oil changes.
Ken
01-11-2008, 11:49 PM
#10
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Kudos...
Thanks, best answer yet!!!
quick and easy.
yes the car burns oil.. how much depends on how you drive it...
the top full line to the bottom add line is 1.75 qts.
the system hold ~ 7 qts...
if you drain it level you will get out 4... go to the diy forum. seach max out oil change.. you can get out ~ 6qts..
the oil filter might hold 8 oz at most..
btw, i change at 5k miles... but i get it all out..
beers
yes the car burns oil.. how much depends on how you drive it...
the top full line to the bottom add line is 1.75 qts.
the system hold ~ 7 qts...
if you drain it level you will get out 4... go to the diy forum. seach max out oil change.. you can get out ~ 6qts..
the oil filter might hold 8 oz at most..
btw, i change at 5k miles... but i get it all out..
beers
01-12-2008, 11:47 AM
#12
Registered
But the main thing that wears out with age is the cleansing properties. Ever see a car that never got an oil change? It doesn't wear directly from the oil thinning. It gets sludged up. Eventually sludge clogs oil passages, and that may cause catostrophic failure.
One of the ironies of synthetic oil is that the oil itself is better (lubes better) and lasts longer (doesn't shear down), but the detergent additives still have the same life.
In any event, change the oil at recommended intervals.
Ken
01-12-2008, 12:01 PM
#13
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the oil change doenst cost alot for the rx8 anyway. i would change my oil very often it wont hurt.
and i thought we cant use synthetic oil because it will break the seal, what type of engine oil is best to use? synthetic? or synthetic blend? or just regular engine oil.
and i thought we cant use synthetic oil because it will break the seal, what type of engine oil is best to use? synthetic? or synthetic blend? or just regular engine oil.
01-12-2008, 12:04 PM
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Where the hell did I leave my flame suit?...........you may be needing it.
No more oil threads!
Search please...........use more than three characters though!
Last edited by Mazurfer; 01-12-2008 at 12:07 PM.
01-12-2008, 12:09 PM
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i ask that is only because this thread is already talking about it, and new comer always get flame anyway so doesnt matter. its gonna take awhile for me to get use to the forum set up and find the thing i want to find. i just thought someone would just answer that simple question on this since its already started
01-12-2008, 01:11 PM
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i ask that is only because this thread is already talking about it, and new comer always get flame anyway so doesnt matter. its gonna take awhile for me to get use to the forum set up and find the thing i want to find. i just thought someone would just answer that simple question on this since its already started
Best thing for you to do is look for and read the cumulative synthetic oil thread. Sticky, up near the top of the tech forum. That started in 2003, and contains a good mix of opinions on all sides. Ask the question now, and you'll get a smaller number of answers, and just from people who are not yet bored with talking about it.
Apologies to all for opening the pandora's box.
Ken
01-12-2008, 01:19 PM
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This is the easiest vehicle I have ever owned to change the oil and filter on, it takes no time at all, so why not do it every 3000 miles? I do my truck every 5000 miles, but that is mainly just highway driving, no stop and go.
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