Accidental oil change record - 13,290 miles on Rotella synthetic

[IdahoDoug]

OK, so i've been busy. Restoring a Vanagon Syncro, blah blah and I have 2 80 series to maintain. It was bound to happen eventually. I went to change the oil on the 97 and thought "hmm, kinda blacker than usual.." Checked the vehicle log before I drained it and what's this? Last entry from exactly one year and two days ago and...uhhh 13,290 miles ago...

Somehow, I missed the typical summer oil change last summer on this one. In 220,000 miles the 93 has never even been run out to the Toyota interval of 7500 and since it was new my log shows an average of about 6200 miles per change. The 97 has about the same average since I got it.

So, when I drained it, I snagged a Blackstone Labs oil sample as I think it may be the longest oil change interval I've heard of personally and I will be curious how a top shelf T6 synthetic tests out. Last time I sent in a Mobil 1 synthetic sample with about 6000 miles, they said it could have easily lasted past 10,000 miles if I recall.

I'll say the oil pressure on the guage was in the normal range, and there were no telltale external signs like lifter clicking or timing chain tensioner rattles. It burned a half quart, where normally on an oil change I am unable to discern oil level loss on either engine (both got valve jobs and new Toyota guides within the last 50k miles or so) which is excellent for that many miles on a changeout. And I'm happy I also use well regarded NAPA gold filters by WIX.

So, anyone else care to own up to an even longer 80 oil change? Or am I the unofficial record holder? I am still feeling sheepish about it and will confirm it at some point by checking my auto receipts, and counting the filters left in my case.

DougM

 

[kbahus]

I have put Rotella 5W-40 through some tough situations in many different cars. I pushed the interval as far as possible in my BMW and I can only get 7-8k out of it before the lifters will no longer stay pumped up overnight. My Subaru's would turn it to the consistency of water by 5k as well. Don't get me wrong, I love the stuff and use it in all of my vehicles including my 600 Honda. I have no reason to change as there is nothing better out there for the price.

Very curious to see the Blackstone report when you get it back!

 

[pmcbrier]

I ran a 86 Toy pickup 22re motor close to 15k without a change. I don't think it was synthetic even. It just ran... Truck had 200k on it when I bought it for $1600. My buddy and I drove it all the way to Chile from Utah, and it never missed a beat. I ended up selling it for $1800 in Bolivia a year and a half later. When I sold it it had close to 230k on it, and had never missed a beat.
Here is a pic from 2003 in Argentina, Valle de la Luna Nat park,

Kbahus, you on TGR per chance?

 

[kbahus]

Kbahus, you on TGR per chance?

Yup, that is me

 

[IdahoDoug]

Nice choice in vehicle for that trip. Wasn't that the LAST year in the US for the solid front axle? Plus the 22RE is legendary. Good call.

DougM

 

[gtfour43]

Nice choice in vehicle for that trip. Wasn't that the LAST year in the US for the solid front axle? Plus the 22RE is legendary. Good call.

DougM

86 already had ifs.

 

[scrowley]

This is the reason I dont like buying used cars (even though i would never buy new). Some people dont change there oil. It takes serious life out of an engine.

 

[Jacket]

I run T6 and a Napa Gold filter in my 96 as well, so this should be good. I haven't been past 6k on an OCI. Post up the report when you get it back.

 

[2 E L O]

I run T6 and a Napa Gold filter in my 96 as well, so this should be good. I haven't been past 6k on an OCI. Post up the report when you get it back.

Same here...but I have to add 1-1.5 quarts every 6 weeks or so due to leakage (at least no burning!)...so I guess I could just change the filter every once in awhile and not worry about draining and refilling the oil. Haha!

Sent from my HTC Evo using IH8MUD

 

[landtank]

Sorry Doug

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/66983-m1-extended-oil.html

 

[IdahoDoug]

Wow - nice Rick. This will be interesting to see what the Blackstone report looks like for two quality synthetics in the 80 engine.

DougM

 

[VacMan]

Subscribing to see the results of your report. I predict it'll be just fine. In the BMW world 15k oil changes are the recommended process even in high performance applications like my m5. Most enthusiasts don't adhere to that...I change mine every 5k or so...but I doubt that a quality synthetic will be destroyed in 13k.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using IH8MUD

 

[betenoire]

4-Runner LOL

My bro-and sis in law didn't change the oil in their 4-Runner for two years before the engine finally gave out... but it had like 280K miles by then. They replaced the engine and still have it, although they rarely dive it.

 

[kbahus]

Subscribing to see the results of your report. I predict it'll be just fine. In the BMW world 15k oil changes are the recommended process even in high performance applications like my m5. Most enthusiasts don't adhere to that...I change mine every 5k or so...but I doubt that a quality synthetic will be destroyed in 13k.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using IH8MUD

Good plan on the 5k interval. I can always tell when a customer goes by the 15k interval, by the time the car hits high mileage the valvetrain is in poor shape and sometimes needs cams and lifters.

 

[-Spike-]

Lots of people over on BITOG use a 12,000 mile interval.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Longest I've seen was almost 100k on a 2UZ Tundra (not exaggerating) before the engine locked up so bad it actually sheared the end of the cam off. The timing gear, bolt, and end of the cam were still attached. No idea how it ran that long but the records the customer showed us were from 9X,XXX miles ago. He used the truck for work and just never changed it. I imagine he must have added to it though. The sludge was so bad it basically had formed solid in under the valve cover perfectly in the shape of the underside of the cover. We called and told him it was going to be like $9000 to put an engine and he just said, "Yeah ok. Go ahead and do it."

I bet those oil changes would have been a little cheaper than $9k... ($32 x ~30 oil changes = $960, engine $9000.)

 

[landtank]

Wow - nice Rick. This will be interesting to see what the Blackstone report looks like for two quality synthetics in the 80 engine.

DougM

I did that test so I cou;ld confirm that a cross country trip could be done without an oil change. I actually did that last year on the same truck.

Changed the oil, headed out west adding a quart every 5k miles and came back. It worked out very well.

 

[93yotasr5]

good to know it will take that abuse. i go about 5000 in my 80 with the rotella 5-40
and i go 5000 in my cobra with mobil 1 10-30

 

[BrotherRob]

I pushed M1 20-50 to almost 15k last time, I probably added 3-4 qts in that time. I usually run syn to the 10-12k range.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

My last Blackstone report suggested that I push my intervals to 12,000 and I'm running conventional oil, so I wouldn't worry about going further on synthetic

That being said, I think it has more to do with the fact that the 1FZ is very easy on oil when compared to other engines

Here's a Honda Odyssey motor I tore down after the cam gear snapped off from seizing up

Customer went 9000 miles between intervals and used a different brand of synthetic oil every time