Huge loss in power after every oil change

[Tooltime19]

This is an interesting thread. I live in the hot desert Southwest. The desert temps in the summer time can reach over 118 degrees. Couple that with running fast powerline roads, climbing and traversing thru deep sand and silt, climbing hills ect, all the while the a/c turned on and running at full blast. During the hot summer months, I always switch to Mobile-1 High Mileage 10w-30. Yet, when the weather begins to cool down, I switch right back to Mobile-1 High Mileage 5w-30. I never raise the higher viscosity number because I do understand how sensitive motors are to changes in oil. I have never had a power loss, nor a mileage loss. I change my oil every 5k. This is my routine. Thanks.

 

[fullboogie]

The same thing just happened to me. I changed my oil Sunday morning and almost immediately noticed power loss. When trying to accelerate from a stop, the engine seemed to miss or hesitate before the vehicle started moving, and the same trying to accelerate from say 35 to 55 to merge onto the highway. And once at 55, it was obvious the truck was working hard to maintain speed - it practically refused to upshift and lock the torque converter.

Strange thing was that while I did use 10w-30, this was also what I used on the previous oil change and had no trouble (same brand too).

It was driving me nuts and I never gave a second thought that it was oil related. I was hoping the thing would just throw a code. I reset the ECU as some have mentioned, along with cleaning the TB and MAF and I also changed the air filter. Once I did that and put about 50 miles on it, the 4runner was driving as normal again.

That being said, I will be swapping back to 5w-30 in the morning. I'd rather just spend the $20 and have piece of mind.

Same exact symptoms I've had after each oil change. Good to know someone else has experienced this first hand - misery loves company!

How long after an oil change to you start having power again?

Seems to give me problems for a week or more, then it slowly gets less and less frequent until it runs normal. Anywhere from a week to three weeks. If the wisdom on this thread bears true, then I'd guess it's after the oil has lost a little viscosity.

Do you get any check engine light? Do you burn any oil afterwards? I would do a compression check to ensure engine is getting adequate compression.

If I had a check engine light, I'd have mentioned it.

Do I burn any oil after what?

Why would I do a compression check? How does that have any relation whatsoever to this thread?


As an update - and crossing fingers - after switching to 5-30 yesterday I haven't had any symptoms. Based on the intermittent nature of the issue, I'm going to give it a few more days.

 

[LTDSC]

you must be a real peach in person

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So far there's a trend forming with 10w-30 use and these symptoms (still a very small sample size, 66% problem rate with only 3 samples), which is interesting; but small.

It seems some members are thinking that excessive blow by is the culprit; hence why they are recommending a compression check. I'm not entirely convinced you have a large enough blow by issue to cause this problem. Though excessive oil getting into the cylinder and creating an overly rich condition is a possibility, but I don't think it'd be as temporary as you are describing, nor would it react so drastically everytime you change the oil.

 

[wadle5]

While I would love to contribute to this uke: When going on a PUBLIC forum and asking for peoples input/answers(read seeking opinions) and than to respond back crass and degrading. I hope you figure your problem out.....personally and with your vehicle. :beer:

 

[peebee]

I don't think it's an issue with viscosity but maybe you should be a bit more respectful to others around here.

 

[ZiaMan]

If I had a check engine light, I'd have mentioned it.

Do I burn any oil after what?

Why would I do a compression check? How does that have any relation whatsoever to this thread?

Wow, just wow...smh :nicethread:

 

[wadle5]

That is the most epic GIF ever!

 

[mlc2000]

That is the most epic GIF ever!

lol love that gif.

I change my oil in my '05 every 5000 miles and never experienced this. I use 5w-30 though and have never deviated from that. So could be the viscosity but if I were to take a guess, I would think that would make a difference more in very cold weather than in warm weather.

Then again, I have had cars that used 10w-30 in the winter and never had an issue, so I'm really betting its not the 5w versus the 10w.

 

[bergs]

Couple of you are a bit on the sensitive side, eh?

As to my previous post regarding number of miles using the wrong oil, I bought my 4Runner with 118,xxx miles. I'm at 252,xxx as of today. Can't say I've noticed any significant power loss with oil changes. Fuel on the other hand....

 

[wadle5]

Why would I do a compression check? How does that have any relation whatsoever to this thread?

Couple of you are a bit on the sensitive side, eh?

As to my previous post regarding number of miles using the wrong oil, I bought my 4Runner with 118,xxx miles. I'm at 252,xxx as of today. Can't say I've noticed any significant power loss with oil changes. Fuel on the other hand....

Not sensitive just showing how this guy takes everything as an attack. So if I was to respond to your post like him...

Why would I check the FUEL?!?! How does that have any relation
He then would be put in check by Black about how fuel like compression could be culprits.

 

[bergs]

Meh.....

I've met plenty of people who come across as complete cunts online but are excellent people at the core when face to face. Something about a grain of salt comes to mind...

 

[fullboogie]

Couple of sensitive little ones on here today. Straighten out the panties and calm down. I expected there to be thicker skins on a guy oriented forum and I was obviously wrong. I'll go back to perusing the dozens of light bars and big tire threads...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Hmm.. reading some of the posts in the thread again, it does seem to be oil related; I'm just not entirely sure how.

You mentioned it needs higher RPMs to get more power out of it; almost like the vehicle needs to build up more oil pressure to move the camshafts where it wants them. But without an oil pressure gauge hooked up to verify that's just speculation. Not to mention it doesn't really explain why the issue goes away after a few days.

Air pockets wouldn't be an issue, they'd get burped out/pushed out pretty quickly. The oil being thicker tends to help with that, not to mention the passages are much smaller and tighter than say a cooling system so the air has less places to collect and form a pocket big enough to cause an issue.

-Current mileage of the vehicle
-How long has this issue been occurring
-When was the last time you changed spark plugs?
-When was the lat time you had the valve clearances checked?
-Any other issues with the vehicle?

 

[easyc]

I had a similar issue once. Not with my 4rnr but with a different type of vehicle. I had just changed the oil and after about a mile up the road the check engine light would come on and the vehicle would lose power. Every time I stopped and restarted the engine it would run fine again until about another mile when the check engine light would come back on and loss of power again. Got it scanned and it said injector pressure problem. I thought to my self that couldn't be dirty injectors because it runs great every time I restart. Anyway, cleared the codes and it has been perfect ever since. I am thinking maybe because I do my own servicing and don't reset the service intervals that the vehicle doesn't know it has been serviced and goes into safe mode.

 

[Silver4RunnerIS300]

Forgive the thread revival but stumbled across this after a Google search. Just changed my oil with same 5w-30 oil I was using before after a 3k mile trip towing 5k. Noticed a power loss immediately after the change. Acceleration requires more throttle than usual. Never had this issue or noticed it before. Probably going to reset my ECU. I find it strange but not going to overreact unless it persists. Probably just due to the thicker new oil. Not entirely sure though. Never towed much with this engine before.

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[Silver4RunnerIS300]

FWIW, it appears to be self correcting. Probably the ECU making adjustments as I drive it. I'm noticing it in the throttle, RPM, and gas mileage. Throttle wasnt responsive at first, RPMs were lower than usual and gas mileage was poor according to the dash (I reset it when I noticed the issue). All have been gradually improving. Not very concerned about it now but will continue to monitor.

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[Dub07]

Power loss after oil change

Again, sorry to revive an ancient thread,, but..
Same issue, Have had my 07 V6 since 2015, from original owner, and every oil change has produced this result. Power loss and sluggishness on acceleration.
I have checked everything and have maintained the vehicle myself.

The engine is in good condition and have only had minor issues.
Just wanted to document this further, and see if anyone has come up with a better answer.

I use 5w-30 synthetic , multiple brands (mobil1, Castrol, etc,) have the same results, summer, winter, doesn't matter.