2.7 engine, 180k. Oil advice?

99 i-4 (2.7, pretty sure...) with 180-190k on the clock.

She runs great and doesn't leak or burn oil, it seems- but I'm having a hard time keeping up on my 3-5k oil changes.

In my other car with a fresh rebuild engine, I run full synthetic (the real stuff, not the blends that claim to be full) and it happily goes 10-12k between changes, and the oil feels as good coming out as going in.

I generally avoid switching, though- I've heard that going from dino-oil to true full synth tends to "eat" oil clots that might be keeping leaks closed, and the last thing I want is to cause a nice happy engine to start leaking.

This is my first "modern" toyota engine (yeah, a 99 might not be that new to most of you...) so I'm looking for input that might sway a decision one way or the other.


Also, if anyone has input on oil filter relocation, that'd be swell. I bet if I could change that filter without crawling under the truck and dumping oil ALL OVER that... was it a control arm? Well. I hate doing it, and simply moving the filter somewhere less dumb would probably increase the frequency of oil changes that actually get done.

 

The 2.7, pretty sure comment cracked me up.

But, what I know is that any mileage north of 100k normally doesn't fair well with synthetic oil. A synthetic blend would be suitable because the viscosity would be about the same as a standard oil. Also, I don't believe oil "keeps leaks closed" as much as leaks developing because of the parts being "loose" within the engine because of the molecular levels of the oils.

 

If you've been changing under 7.5k or so, using a quality oil and filter, there's no reason you can't change to whatever you wish. There are no 'clots' in your engine to be cleaned.

For a good feel on the health of the engine, a compression and leakdown test, along with an oil sample sent to an independent lab, and you'll know what you are working with.

Couple side points. Your '99 is a 'modern engine'. In terms of machining and tolerances. Controls may have advanced more, but the internals are pretty similar. And while I agree with (lab proven for your car) 10-12k changes on full syn, your 'feel' can't tell you anything. Just like looks. Only the lab can tell you the condition.

 

I like AmsOil Signature Series (100% Synthetic) in my 2009 2.7l 4cyl.

I have had no problems with switching other engines with 100,000 miles. The possible problem is that synthetic oil has stronger detergent properties and could dissolve sludge that's keeping the engine from leaking.

AmsOil is 1 year or 25,000 miles change interval with one filter change at 6 months.

 

Pointer on getting the filter out without making a mess....use a shop towel or 2 and wrap around the filter while quickly unscrewing it.....another option is puncturing the filter with a screwdriver or awl er something like that and letting the filter drain into a small container then unscrew.

I have come to just always use the shop/paper towel routine these days. You can either do it real fast before the towels get so soaked they're not absorbing anymore, or break the seal on the filter and just hold the paper towels under/around it and capture the oil thats coming out by absorbing into the paper. Then proceed to remove the filter.

It can be done without making a mess.

 

I actually prefer just dumping the oil all over whatever it hits, but then again this is Ohio and rust prevention is an art form.

No way in hell I would run an oil change that long but maybe that's just me.

 

Great question OP...

While @ SEMA in Las Vegas last November, I had the opportunity to meet & speak with the lead engineer from Valvoline.
I posed similar questions as yours as I have 129,000 on my 2.7 motor.

I have ran Valvoline in my vehicles for 37 years, hell, my dad runs it in his lawn mowers. Any way, he swears that you can change to a full synthetic regardless of brand, running non-synthetic or miles on the motor without issue.

He stated that the fuel mileage will go up and the oil change intervals can go up to 7K which I am uncomfortable with. I too change my own oil and service parts every 3K. Evidently that is old school with 'modern' engines as you have said.

I have since switched to full synthetic.

I hope this helps you.

 

I've had great success with Mobil 1 high mileage oil. 190,000 miles, no leaks, no negative issues. I'm not a huge fan of the claimed 7-10k mileage oil change interval so I change it every 5k along with the filter.