conventional or synthetic

I would like to change to synthetic but I just want to know if I do will it harm the engine if I switch from conventional to synthetic
I have the 1-GR-E engine

 

No it will not harm your engine in any way, it will be better for your engine. There are a lot of myth's about synthetic oil that are all false. I would suggest doing a search on this site, using the search function at the top. You will find very good information on the subject and discussion. Most people on here use Mobil 1, I would suggest using that. And yes you can switch to a synthetic oil after using a Dino oil. And vise versa

 

Is that the case even for high mileage? I have over 154,000 miles and as far as I know its never had synthetic in it. Would it hurt it? And would I see advantages to using it instead? Thanks!

 

Yes, synthetic oil will rejuvenate old gaskets and seals. A high mileage synthetic oil will be great, will help clean out sludge. Will also provide better protection.

 

Sweet I know what I'm goin for next oil change! Thanks man! And you'd say go Mobil 1?

 

No problem, yep go with Mobil 1.

 

Thanks man . It may just be something normal but when I get on the gas in my truck I can hear something that sounds kinda like the valves are "chattering" maybe the synthetic will help that out, that'd be sweet

 

I would say that you can try using the synthetic, but also try running some fuel injector cleaner threw. That valve chattering could be a lot of different things. Is the chattering very loud, or quiet? Is it all the time, or when getting on the gas after start up?

 

I will definitely give the synthetic a try first and just see if it helps anything. And excuse my ignorance, I'm trying to learn how would I run the cleaner through the engine? Its pretty quiet but its definitely noticeable if you have music down and listen for it. Its not all the time, pretty much just anytime you're really getting on the gas.

 

I'll answer the valve question first, I think you should continue to listen to it and if it gets louder and happens more often then that would be a good time to take it in. They can take off the valve covers and inspect the rockers and other items and go from there for worse case.
But It could be some deposits on the valves, and this was why I suggested cleaner and it is a good start. But like I said it could be a lot of different causes for this. I'm sure we will have others suggest other causes that will help you out, and I hope to see that. The more the better! But for now, I don't think you should worry too much.

And to answer the cleaner question. There is a lot of different cleaners out there, and everyone has a suggestion. For the high amount of miles on your truck, I would HIGHLY suggest using Seafoam cleaner! However using this cleaner is a little more difficult than using a standard cleaner. Other companies products will have you put the cleaner into the gas tank before fill up, and that's it. With Seafoam, you put half of it into the gas tank like other products. But the other half can be put threw the brake booster line, and other vacuum lines.
The company also recommends using 1/3 into the gas tank, 1/3 into the brake booster, and then putting the remaining 1/3 into the oil. This might be better for you, will help clean up the upper heads. But if you use it in the oil, drain the oil after a 50 miles or so, so I've heard. I have never used it in the oil yet, no reason too.
Here is a link on this website to help explain it a little better, and It's for 1st Gen. And here is an old video from the seafoam company that explains it too.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/63790-seafoam.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D11ZVYwj62w

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If you would not like to use seafoam, I would suggest Chevron Techron cleaner. Just put it in before filling it up, and that's it.

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I would also recommend changing the fuel filter out too before using these cleaners for now, but you don't have too and It's not a must. But if it was changed recently, then it will be fine. Hope that helps and good luck!

 

Wow! Very helpful info, thank you very much man! +1

 

so I really dont need to waste my time with starting with synthetic blend then switch to full synthetic

 

Yep, It's fine.

 

Here's some more useful info: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/69911-switching-synthetic-oil-should-i.html

 

Just came across this while doing a search. BUT my question: You can go back to dino after running synthetic? I've alway been told its ok to go from dyno to synthetic, but not ok to go synthetic back to dyno.

Is that another myth? I've been hearing this for years regarding motorcycles.

Thanks.

 

Yep, It's fine.

 

On such a high mileage motor it's probably a good idea to make at least one change of the synthetic fill on a normal interval before trying to go to an extended OCI. That's because of what was said before: synthetics are great at cleaning out old sludge. The first change is almost like an engine oil flush so it's good to get the old gunk out as soon as you can.

 

I use Mobil 1 and change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles