Castrol GTX HIGH MILEAGE Oil

[kach22i]

I have not found any independent testing on the so-called “oil for high mileage cars”. If you run across any information on this topic, please post it on this thread.

Although my oil leaks are not as bad as when the shop switched me to synthetic, the change back to Castrol 20W-50 has not quite brought me back up to my engine’s old self. I am not eager to pull the engine for a re-seal job/ new studs, and have started to consider other options.

I don’t expect to find a magic wand for oil leaks, but keeping an open mind is the best way me to learn, as I am not a big fan of the school of hard knocks.

What’s your take on these oils? I am guessing from previous posts by others, lubrication is based on the tried and true- the stick with what you know crowd is vocal and opinionated (not a bad thing).

I am going to try the Castrol high mileage blend next weekend (unless something catastrophic hits the press). I have been using Castrol for about 20 years – so far so good.


http://www.castrolusa.com/products/default.asp?prod_mp=hm
IT'S A FACT... As your engine ages, its performance decreases and oil breaks down faster. Over time, seals deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases, leading to reduced performance. To combat the aging process, Castrol GTX HIGH MILEAGE:

Utilizes special base oils to provide superior protection against oil burn-off compared to leading oils. Contains seal conditioners that provide added level of protection and help reduce leakage. Contains proprietary additives that provide superior protection from wear and harmful deposits in higher mileage engines. Reduced deposit formation to minimize compression loss and maximize engine performance.


Available Grades

* SAE 20W-50: contains seal conditioners that help reduce leakage. It exceeds API SL and is recommended wherever API SL, SJ, SH, SG and previous API S categories are recommended. It exceeds the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3, GF-2 and GF-1. Use GTX HIGH MILEAGE 20W-50 when the ambient temperature is above 20 degrees F.

Warranty and Protection Requirements

Exceeds all passenger car and light truck manufacturers' warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, SG and previous API S categories are recommended. Exceeds the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3, GF-2, GF-1, GM 6094M, GM 6085M, Ford ESE M2C153G and F, and Daimler Chrysler MS-6395H.

Compare to the regular dino:
http://www.castrolusa.com/products/default.asp?prod_mp=hm

Castrol GTX, with its unique shear stable viscosity improvers, exceeds demanding U.S. high shear and stay-in-grade requirements for viscosity breakdown protection.

Exceeds passenger car and gasoline light truck requirements for the protection of gasoline and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ or SH is recommended.

Formulated to surpass European engine test and Japanese wear test requirements as well as exceeding engine protection requirements of Ford ESE-M2C153-G and F, GM 6094M, GM 6085M, Chrysler Corporation MS-6395H, Porsche, Peugeot and Mercedes Benz.

SAE 20W-50: is a premium, super multigrade that guards against wear by providing a superior oil film strength and extreme high temperature strength. 20W-50 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH. Also exceeds the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.

Semi-worthless articles:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/high-mileage-oil.htm
Of course, if your vehicle has serious mechanical problems, no oil will solve them. But for the well-maintained older car, you can't really go wrong by trying a high-mileage oil at your next oil change.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=158,209&sid=209&article=6937
A--According to the vehicle manufacturers, using a quart of oil every 1000 miles is considered normal so, since they recognize no problem, there is no fix. The high-mileage oils, such as Valvoline Max Life, can help keep older engines sealed to reduce oil leakage, but that doesn't seem to be your engine's problem.

http://www.noln.net/columns/castrolmar04.html
A growing appetite for oil usually signals worn valve guides and/or seals. Oil sucked down the guide can cause a heavy buildup of carbon on the backs of the intake valves, reducing intake air to the combustion chamber and creating driving problems such as hesitation. Oil leaking down worn guides can also increase the buildup of deposits inside the combustion chamber, and can cause spark plugs to misfire, rough engine idle and increased hydrocarbon emissions.

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?section=hm&pg=ccr20030901v2
Before you ponder any expensive or unnecessary repairs, consider that the solution may be as simple as switching to an oil made for engines with over 75,000 miles. These oils are designed to provide specialized protection for your vehicle's engine by containing anti-wear additives, seal conditioners, extra cleaning agents and friction modifiers. These elements are designed to work together to condition engine seals, prevent leaks, minimize oil consumption, provide easier cold starts, improve power output and resist thermal breakdown — all of which will help maximize the life and sustain the performance of an older engine. These oils don't evaporate as easily at normal operating temperatures so ultimately less oil is consumed. The additives in oils made for engines with over 75,000 miles increase its resistance toward thickening thereby providing easier and faster cold-starts. Cleaning agents help reduce deposit formation and prevent horsepower loss, plus special friction-reducing components help maximize fuel economy and power output.

PS: About car, 96,000 miles, 1977 no known rebuild, new oil return tubes (expandable type), turbo valve covers and chain tensioner upgrades all recent with new gaskets.

[kach22i]

From the synthetic devil's mouth:

http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp
ExxonMobil engineers are wary of conventional oils that tout their use of additional seal-swelling agents. With extended use, these agents can over-soften engine seals, resulting in leaks. More to the point, an oil additive will not rejuvenate worn or damaged seals. The damaged seal may have been caused by a worn rotating metal component in the engine.

[Sonic dB]

The problem that I have with these "high mileage oils"...is that if they are so good, then why not use them when the car has lower mileage too.

Its probably a marketing deal only...

[kach22i]

Did you know they are running it in funny cars to promote it? Then again those engines only have to last about a ten seconds.