I change my oil religiously (actually Wal-Mart does) every 3k miles.
I have never tried any of those pre-change engine cleaners.
Anybody have any opinions?
The car doesn't burn an ounce of oil...but in the last 15k or so, I notice it's actually a little dirty at 3k
90Q 146 k
Oil change
With those short drain intervals you don't need any cleaners.I've used ATF (very high detergency) in the past but oils are so much better these days. Seems to me that if any additive was so beneficial the major oil companies (Mobil, Penzoil, Valvoline, etc.) would add it to their products right from the get-go.
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Mayhem_J30
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Q45tech
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Cleaners are good to clean the varnishes that oil may leave. Look inside the oil filler port with a flash light. Do you see any baked on crud on the metal baffel plates.....amber, brown, black,,,,,if all you find is pure shiny metal you don'y need anything!
Unfortunately almost nothing will remove certain types amber or heat broken down oil byproducts......most of the things sold will not do harm if added a few hours before a drain as long as you don't add more than a quart and don't rev the engine above 3,000 rpm......this does not apply to sludged engines where chunks may be broken off the sludge and block the oil pick up.
Just wait till it gets 240,000 miles on it,.... it will start to get dirty at 500-1,000 miles as the ring gap is not narrowed till it warms up after each cold crank.
Still won't burn any noticeable oil in 3k but the cumbustion soot from the cylinder walls get into the oil faster.
Unfortunately almost nothing will remove certain types amber or heat broken down oil byproducts......most of the things sold will not do harm if added a few hours before a drain as long as you don't add more than a quart and don't rev the engine above 3,000 rpm......this does not apply to sludged engines where chunks may be broken off the sludge and block the oil pick up.
Just wait till it gets 240,000 miles on it,.... it will start to get dirty at 500-1,000 miles as the ring gap is not narrowed till it warms up after each cold crank.
Still won't burn any noticeable oil in 3k but the cumbustion soot from the cylinder walls get into the oil faster.