I love my 4runner and I'm probably going to keep it until the engine is shot. I'm looking into switching all the lubricants to synthetics. Anyway my question is, will it hurt any of the engine components switching from just a regular motor oil to synthetic? Any clearifications or suggestions would help.
Question for those in the know?
- Thread starter miztgrfan
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
It *shouldn't.* What's your current mileage? I've heard of people switching at 200k, 250k miles and never develop a single leak. Also heard of others switching at 100k miles and leaks starting. I switch to synthetic at 107k miles. I'm at 121k miles and it's all sound.
Also, when you switch to synthetics, make sure to use a good filter, too. I've used my fair share of filters and the only two I'll use now is Amsoil Ea and WIX (Napa Gold). Great filters. Also, for oils, I was not happy with Mobil1. I use Amsoil, and I am trying out Royal Purple this time around. Amsoil was great, though.
I also switched my xfer case, differential fluids to synthetics (75w-90).
Also, when you switch to synthetics, make sure to use a good filter, too. I've used my fair share of filters and the only two I'll use now is Amsoil Ea and WIX (Napa Gold). Great filters. Also, for oils, I was not happy with Mobil1. I use Amsoil, and I am trying out Royal Purple this time around. Amsoil was great, though.
I also switched my xfer case, differential fluids to synthetics (75w-90).
DavidAlexander
New member
The debate has begun. P nut is right on.
There are lots of opinions about switching. The only negative that I have heard people arguing is that the synthetic can leak through seals easier on an older car that has been using conventional oil.
I have never had this happen and I believe that the pros like lubrication and heat dissapation far outway any "risk" you may have of leaking a small amount of oil.
I have run Mobil 1 5w30 for 50,000 miles in my 4Runner. No leaks and I change the oil myself every 5,000 miles just to be safe. I would switch to full synthetic, do your first change at a faster interval to get rid of any of the old oil quickly and then you should be fine. Synthetics have really good seal conditioners anyways so they might actually prevent your leak that was developing using conventional oil.
Final Opinion: Swith to Full Synthetic w/ no worries
I have also been thinking about trying Royal Purple too, I have heard nothing but good things about it.
There are lots of opinions about switching. The only negative that I have heard people arguing is that the synthetic can leak through seals easier on an older car that has been using conventional oil.
I have never had this happen and I believe that the pros like lubrication and heat dissapation far outway any "risk" you may have of leaking a small amount of oil.
I have run Mobil 1 5w30 for 50,000 miles in my 4Runner. No leaks and I change the oil myself every 5,000 miles just to be safe. I would switch to full synthetic, do your first change at a faster interval to get rid of any of the old oil quickly and then you should be fine. Synthetics have really good seal conditioners anyways so they might actually prevent your leak that was developing using conventional oil.
Final Opinion: Swith to Full Synthetic w/ no worries
I have also been thinking about trying Royal Purple too, I have heard nothing but good things about it.
Last edited:
Kmvreter said:
Nothing went wrong, really. However, the oil itself is very very thin compared to other synthetics. In my other cars, I noticed that I was burning nearly a quart every 3k miles. This went on for 2-3 years and many oil changes, so it was not an isolated event. I was not happy with that. I switched to Valvoline/Amsoil full synthetic and did not have that problem. At least not to that extent. This was in a high-revving engine, so SOME oil loss is normal, but not a quart @ 3k miles.
Couple that with allegations of Mobil1 not being a GroupIV synthetic and the wear tests not coming back good, I was happy to get rid of that brand on my garage shelf. The oil itself won't damage your engine and will protect it, but for the price, I went with something I can trust. I ran 9k miles on my last Amsoil oil change and the oil analysis came back good. I am trying the same with Royal Purple this time. There are many Mobil1 advocates and they swear by it, but from my personal experience, it's not for me. And I'll just leave it at that. :bigok:
Its an '02 with 72,000 miles. I'm still in college (only 3 more months, YES!) and it only gets maybe 10 to 20 miles driven a day but I figured I should start protecting my investment. It doesn't have any oil leaks and the previous owner was an older lady and she said most of the miles were highway.
Another question, do I need to switch all the lubricants at the same time or just when they're regularly scheduled to be done?
Another question, do I need to switch all the lubricants at the same time or just when they're regularly scheduled to be done?
AF808fighter
New member
I switched to Royal Purple from Mobile 1 syn. I really just switched because I deployed and wanted the oil change to last for my girl friend. I read its stable in the cold and will last 5000 miles. Funny thing is I wasn't paying attention and bought 2 bottles of 5w and 3 of 10w so I have a mixture of like 7.5 in there...runs great what ever it is. Didn't do crap for my MPG though.
J-money$$$
New member
The thing for me that I do oil changes every 3000 miles with normall oild. I have heard that the real benifit with synthetics is they last longer. But I'm not worried because I do the oil cabge soo softer
J-money$$$ said:
Why the frequent changes? Save our resources and try to maximize your oil changes. Even regular dino oil should be good until 5k miles under normal conditions.
rdgt4r said:
I don't think you need to change out the filter 3-5k miles. Have you done a UOA? I ran the Amsoil filter for 9k and it was still good. I am going to run this PureONE filter for that long and see how it does. WIX should last at least that long.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
I just got my 4Runner less than a year ago. Looking over all the old receipts, it seems the old owners used nothing but generic and rarely ever maintained it.
I switched straight to Castrol GTX 10W-30 Full Synthetic and a K&N oil filter.
Very much better. I have always run GTX full syn in my cars. I do run Mobile 1 in the C230 though, as that's the default and it's the only oil we carry at my dealership.
I switched straight to Castrol GTX 10W-30 Full Synthetic and a K&N oil filter.
Very much better. I have always run GTX full syn in my cars. I do run Mobile 1 in the C230 though, as that's the default and it's the only oil we carry at my dealership.
J-money$$$
New member
i do the frequent oil changes because my runner had 199,790 miles on it and the 200,000 mark just seems scary i dont want it to wear out
ChildrenOfBodom said:
Unless it's the German-made Castrol (0W-30, IIRC), you've got yourself a watered-down synthetic. Back in 99, Castrol was in a law-suit over the actual definition of "synthetic", but they won the case using their watered-down formula (because it was cheaper). It is suspected that Mobil1 followed suit, which is why the wear tests and such came back worse in the most recent tests than the ones before 99 for Mobil1. I wouldn't trust Castrol or Mobil1, but that again is my personal opinion.
J-money$$$ said:
If there has been damages done at 199k, it's not going to matter how often you change your oil. If you're really worried, you should definitely perform a UOA. Send your oil sample in to www.blackstone-labs.com It's not only for analyzing oil conditions, but also your overall condition of the engine. Look at it like a "urine sample" for your 4Runner. It'd be well worth it for the amount of miles you have on your engine.
jspagna1
New member
J-money$$$ said:
Just keep doing what your doing. You know what they say "if it ain't broke". I bought my T4R brand new in 1997. Got the oil changed at 1,000 mile and have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. I have done that with all my vehicles. I do a lot of short trips since I work very close. I also do some highway trips: Maine, New York etc. My truck now has 129,000 miles and running strong.
DavidAlexander
New member
Here is a little comparison. I am going to send in my Mobile 1 next time, try Royal Purple and send that in, then try Amsoil and send that in. The one with the best protection left will be my future choice.
Oil Comparison
Has anyone tried Motul?
This is supposed to be really good too.
Motul 8100
Oil Comparison
Has anyone tried Motul?
This is supposed to be really good too.
Motul 8100
BuffsRunner
New member
I have 138K in my 4runner and i have used valvoline in all of the vehicles i have owned. I recently switched over to a synthetic blend, and so far i havent noticed any leaks. I used the same synthetic blend on a Jeep i owned and they are notorious for leaking and i didnt have any. As far as oil filters i swear by fram.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I switched my '99 over to M1 w/Puralator PureOne filter at 97k miles and now am up to 146k and have zero leaks and I go about 8000 miles between changes and I burn less than a quart in that time and I just had a compression check and all cylinders were still within factory specs which did surprise the Toyota mechanic since he would've expected it to be a bit more off.
I'm not here to say M1 is the best but it's sure working in my truck and it's cheaper and easier to get than Royal Purple and Amsoil so I don't have a reason to go with those two choices but if money wasn't an object I'd run the Purple.
I also ran M1 in my modded Eclipse for 8 years (and seasons at the strip,autox and a few rally runs) and never had any issues with "coking" on the turbo and never had issues with any of the oil related functions so M1 really has never let me down since I started using it in '93.
I am a bit curious about the new Castrol Edge stuff.
I'm not here to say M1 is the best but it's sure working in my truck and it's cheaper and easier to get than Royal Purple and Amsoil so I don't have a reason to go with those two choices but if money wasn't an object I'd run the Purple.
I also ran M1 in my modded Eclipse for 8 years (and seasons at the strip,autox and a few rally runs) and never had any issues with "coking" on the turbo and never had issues with any of the oil related functions so M1 really has never let me down since I started using it in '93.
I am a bit curious about the new Castrol Edge stuff.
