Changing from conventional oil to full-synthetic question

[benchasephoto]

Hey guys,

I just picked up a new 04 LC and it's had conventional oil in it for it's 90,000 mile life so far that's been changed at regular intervals.

I'd like to change it over to Mobile 1 0w30. What's the best way to do this? Should I just drain all of the existing oil out, and pour a few quarts of the new stuff in with the plug out to help flush the dino oil out, or is there anything I need to add to actually flush the old stuff out?

Also, anyone got a tip on where to find the SST 09228-07501 wrench? Alldatadiy.com calls for it when looking at the maintenance spec/procedure for the 04 LC.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[TwiceWithHair]

I just poured 2 quarts through mine before I filled her up with synthetic @ 86,000. Been running full synthetic since. 102,000 now with no issues/leaks/burning. Did I do it right? I dunno. Does it work? Yes.

 

[Nottajeep]

Just drain and fill.. nothing else special required

Sent from my droid

 

[inkpot]

Just drain and fill.. nothing else special required

Sent from my droid

2x this. Synthetic and conventional are very compatible. Most oil companies sell a product that is 50/50. John

 

[hks3sgte]

Easiest way to do it? This is not a POS engine we're talking about. Drain and refill. Easiest way.

 

[OregonLC]

I'm with the others - just do the change - but if you're concerned about what's in there you could use something like the Amsoil Flush. Personally, I'd be afraid it would do more harm than good, but it's something you can research if so desired.

 

[pwcummings]

I have done this to a few of my past yotas. Through my previous research (not LC specific) I found that the best way to convert is to drain, change the filter, and refill with the synthetic, then drive it normally for 500-1500 miles then do a fresh synthetic oil and filter change and take it to whatever regular interval you feel comfortable with. I live I the Pacific Northwest, I an area where we get some significant weather and although we don't salt the road we do gravel and dirt the s*** out of them, so my regular interval is 5000 miles. That being said, I have taken the wife's Mercedes to 10k+, because that's its factory synthetic interval, without any problems with the engine whatsoever.

 

[Tyler93]

Just bought a 98 with 176xxx. Assuming it had conventional oil. Switched it to synthetic, changed the filter. Will do an oil change in 5,000 miles. Nothing special. As mentioned above conventional and synthetic are highly compatible. No need for special voodoo. With your low mileage the 4.7 hasn't even had a chance to get dirty, let alone justify a flush. The only caveat being sometimes a switch to synthetics can be followed by engine leaks. no problems with mine so far.

 

[phsycle]

The way I've done it is: Drain, refill with synthetic, oil change at 4k miles, then regular oil changes intervals from thereon out. (9-10k miles for me).

 

[APKhaos]

I have done this to a few of my past yotas. Through my previous research (not LC specific) I found that the best way to convert is to drain, change the filter, and refill with the synthetic, then drive it normally for 500-1500 miles then do a fresh synthetic oil and filter change and take it to whatever regular interval you feel comfortable with.

^^ This. If there is sludge in the engine, the first fill of synth will pick up a lot of muck. You'll notice the color change on the dipstick. Dump that lot and refill with synth and a new filter for a normal change interval.

I've had badly sludged engines that took three short runs on synth to clear out the muck.

 

[benchasephoto]

Thanks guys!

 

[snobdds]

I will sometimes dump some ATF in the crankcase to bring it up to full about 1 week before I do an oil change. In my 22re, the timing chain tensioner is driven by oil pressure. I like to clean out all the oil passages to keep the tensioner happy and ATF is by far the best for doing that.

Otherwise, nothing special...

 

[benchasephoto]

I see you're in Cheyenne - I passed through there on my way up North and got caught in a pretty nasty snowstorm not far from Devil's Tower. I see Wyoming is no stranger to winter as well!

I will sometimes dump some ATF in the crankcase to bring it up to full about 1 week before I do an oil change. In my 22re, the timing chain tensioner is driven by oil pressure. I like to clean out all the oil passages to keep the tensioner happy and ATF is by far the best for doing that.

Otherwise, nothing special...

 

[Brock]

next oil change get new filter....new oil...and swap it out all at once. It will clean your engine on inside so may want to change it sooner than normal the first time in case there was sludge build up or anything...

 

[snobdds]

I see you're in Cheyenne - I passed through there on my way up North and got caught in a pretty nasty snowstorm not far from Devil's Tower. I see Wyoming is no stranger to winter as well!

I wish we would get a lot more snow this winter. It's been pretty dry so far this winter. But yes, when we do get winter...we get lots of snow.

 

[hankinid]

I wish we would get a lot more snow this winter. It's been pretty dry so far this winter. But yes, when we do get winter...we get lots of snow.

What's still on the ground here began around Christmas.

Come & get it.

Steve

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Yeah, I am with hankinid, come and get it!