Best synthetic oil for extreme conditions

patman

patman

Club Member
Out here in the desert, the 5-30 oil that I am using seems to go bad with in a few weeks. Then I deal with dry starts when the truck sets for several hours. I'm looking to switch to a synthetic in hopes to eliminate the dry starts and have longer oil life.

Also, is there any problem with running a 5-40 in it?

Oh yeah, it's a 2004 5.3 GM engine.
 
patman said:
Out here in the desert, the 5-30 oil that I am using seems to go bad with in a few weeks. Then I deal with dry starts when the truck sets for several hours. I'm looking to switch to a synthetic in hopes to eliminate the dry starts and have longer oil life.

Also, is there any problem with running a 5-40 in it?

Oh yeah, it's a 2004 5.3 GM engine.
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Run Mobil 1...

How do you know it's going through a dry start though? Something grinding at first?
 
No not grinding, but HUGE lifter clatter for about 20-30 seconds when started. Again, it only does this after it sets all night or after work.
 
NO!!! do not use 5-40. These newer engines are made with tighter tolerences than older ones. Using a thicker grade oil will cause starvation as it cannot pass through the smaller tolerences as well. Dollar for Dollar i agree with Mobile 1. Also use the original delco or a wix filter. What filter are you currently using. There could be an issue with it not having a drain back valve in it...or it's an insuficient valve. All filters are not created equal! Go to Yellow Bullet and do a search on filters....great article there.
 
ReiKo said:
Run Mobil 1...QUOTE]

But he said "synthetic oil", not the fake "fully synthetic" oil that they are only allowed to sell in the USA that exxon sells as mobil1.
Mobil1 and castro syntec are the same oils, Either one will work the same, both good oils.
5-20wt for your engine.
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Detroit Gearbox said:
Moneypit hates amsoil products and anybody that promotes it.
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AAHHHHH......

Detroit Gearbox said:
ReiKo said:
Run Mobil 1...QUOTE]

But he said "synthetic oil", not the fake "fully synthetic" oil that they are only allowed to sell in the USA that exxon sells as mobil1.
Mobil1 and castro syntec are the same oils, Either one will work the same, both good oils.
5-20wt for your engine.
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The filler cap says 5-30. What would be the advantage of 5-20?
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patman said:
No not grinding, but HUGE lifter clatter for about 20-30 seconds when started. Again, it only does this after it sets all night or after work.
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That 'ticking' is very common on the truck Vortec motors for those trucks. It's commonly referred to as 'piston slap' or 'cold start knock'. I've had it on my 2000 5.3l since day one. This is an annoyance more than anything else.

I also recommend Mobil 1 - great oil and readily available :D
 
Joe said:
That 'ticking' is very common on the truck Vortec motors for those trucks. It's commonly referred to as 'piston slap' or 'cold start knock'. I've had it on my 2000 5.3l since day one. This is an annoyance more than anything else.

I also recommend Mobil 1 - great oil and readily available :D
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2002 late and early 2003 motors i believe are the last of the "LS tickers" I have an 02 6.0 in my 2500...been slappin since i got it at 62,000 and it performs the same at 110,000 Previous owner had all maintanance records. I noticed when i changed to 5-30 valvoline High Mileage semi syn oil the "tick" was less audible.
 
Billydroveit said:
2002 late and early 2003 motors i believe are the last of the "LS tickers" I have an 02 6.0 in my 2500...been slappin since i got it at 62,000 and it performs the same at 110,000 Previous owner had all maintanance records. I noticed when i changed to 5-30 valvoline High Mileage semi syn oil the "tick" was less audible.
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the trailblazer SS guys complain a lot about the piston slap, and they are 06-08
 
Pure84GTT said:
the trailblazer SS guys complain a lot about the piston slap, and they are 06-08
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I dunno, i had a buddy who used to work in the Dyno cells at GM said they were supposed to be fixed by 04. doesn't matter, engine runs fine tap is only very audible for a minute anyway. I just don't even put my truck in gear for 2 minutes after i start it.
 
Correct, the problem I mentioned, most likely what the OP is hearing, was to have been cleared up in the 2004-2005 models.
 
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