YA oil thread - which filter with synth oil?

[Yorb]

This has probably been asked but I couldn't find it. A while ago I did research on these boards and asked people and came up with the decision that Mobil 1 0W-40 is the best stuff to put in a KA. Does the filter matter if I use this high quality stuff? Like, if I shell out the bucks for the oil can I skimp on the filter? =P

I've been putting this oil in it for the past few changes, and I have a case of it right now, but if you have another oil to recommend for a 160k mile KA, I'm all ears. =)

Side note: over a period of about 2 or 3 months right before Christmas my car lost almost a full 4qt of oil, most of it in my parking spot. It hasn't really leaked in the past few weeks. It's overdue for an oil change but I don't want to fill it up with expensive stuff if I'm just going to have to drain it to find the leak (if it doesn't drain itself). Where do you think I should look for the leak? I'm taking an automative course at the moment so I have access to a full lift and garage.

Thanks! =D

[ILikeMy240sx]

becaseu its cold here in MI i use 5W mobil synth

i just get the regular fram and put a really strong magnet on the filter..

[PGBrian]

i use Mobil1 10w-30and OEM Nissan oil filter

[Arrow]

becaseu its cold here in MI i use 5W mobil synth

i just get the regular fram and put a really strong magnet on the filter..

Why do you put a magnet on the filter??

[WeldingHank]

STP,Bosch, and Mobil 1 filters are identical in contruction, filtering element, filter pleats, and filter area. go with one of those.

[Chingon]

I just did my oil change yesterday. I used the german 0w30 castrol syntech w/a mobil 1 filter. I used a pair of neodymium iron-boron magnets on my drain plug though.

Don't skimp on the filter. If you are on a budget, use nissan OEM. They are better than bosch in my opininon and don't disintegrate like the FRam.
Modified by Chingon at 12:11 AM 2/3/2005

[hannibal]

If your spending money for the Mobil 1, dont skimp on the filter.

Where's Fred?!?

I took his suggestion of Chevron Supreme 10W30. I didnt want to change to synthetic for fear of leaks as you experienced.I use Puralator PureOne filters. Similar to the Mobil 1 (from what Ive read), but a few bucks cheaper.

[koukiKA240]

10w-30 Mobile one and I currently have 8 Nissan OEM filters awaiting use. Nissan>fram or any other aftermarket filter.~Sam

[BadMojo]

Where does this oil end up when it leaks out? Front of the engine? If I had to hazard a guess, I'd start by checking out the front crank seal.

As for which filter? I've had no problems with the OE filter + Valvoline Synpower in either 5w30 (winter) or 10w40 (summer).

[skydragoness]

Fram filter? Good god, don't use those please. Good rule of thumb is the heavier the filter the better. I use Nissan OEM filters w/ Mobil Syn-Blen 10w30, and if i forget to buy the OEM filter in advance I will use Purolator PureOnes. I hear the Mobil1 filters pwn, but no one sells them in my area yet.

BM---How common is the front crank seal leak on the KA's? I've read a few threads on here about that happening, I mentioned it to a mechanic i used to go to, and not knowing anything about 240 quirks, he mentioned that if that seal is leaking it means something much more serious than just replacing the seal. So how serious is the crank seal leak? I have one, but it's such a slow, slow leak that I don't lose a drop of oil but the bottom front of the engine is nasty lookin' from built-up oil.

[Chingon]

it's kinda common in the 240. My brother has one, but he keeps putting a quart in every time he feels the need, because quite frankly it's a relative ***** to fix.

[Bronze MFP]

If you can find them, mobil 1 oil filters are pretty kickass. They have a valve that traps oil in the filter, so when you take it off, oil doesnt leak all over your engine. They also filter really dang good. Kinda pricy, but if your using synthetic anyways, its like buying another quart or 2.

[skydragoness]

it's kinda common in the 240. My brother has one, but he keeps putting a quart in every time he feels the need, because quite frankly it's a relative ***** to fix.

Really? If it's the front crank seal (not the rear) all that involves is taking off the drive belts, and the crank pulley, and replacing the seal. I mean, Nissan quoted me $178 to do it, which isnt too bad as far as dealerships go. Although i hear the rear seal is infuriating.

[BadMojo]

Really? If it's the front crank seal (not the rear) all that involves is taking off the drive belts, and the crank pulley, and replacing the seal. I mean, Nissan quoted me $178 to do it, which isnt too bad as far as dealerships go. Although i hear the rear seal is infuriating.

Yeah, you've got it just about right. The hardest part would probably be busting the crank pulley loose...sounds like a good time to put a lightweight pulley on the car at the same time.

I actually had mine replaced when I bought the car since it was leaking quite a bit. Mine was done at the dealership along with a few items that needed to be done (had to pass inspection ASAP)...as you said it wasn't expensive since it's a pretty straight forward job.

The rear main seal would definitely not be fun.

Anyway, for whatever reason the front crank seal seems like a pretty common item to go on older 240SX's.

[Yorb]

Thanks for the responses guys. =) It has been leaking from the front... Oil pan area, I think, but I don't think it's the drain plug seeing as it went for a month or 2 after the last change without leaking at all. I put a piece of cardboard under it so if it leaks tonight I'll know where from tomorrow morning.

What is this about a good filter saving you some oil? Do you not have to change it as often if you have a good filter and good oil? I suppose that would make sense.

Anyway, thanks. I'll post my findings tomorrow.

[Jookmasta]

u know ive been using fram for like six years with no problems. i use their high end tho. the teflon one or the racing one. definitely not the bare bone orange one. if the oem one is readily available, ill use it but me and fram get along. lol.

BTW, ive never seen a mobil synthetic one or else id be all over it

[skydragoness]

Yeah, you've got it just about right. The hardest part would probably be busting the crank pulley loose...sounds like a good time to put a lightweight pulley on the car at the same time.

I actually had mine replaced when I bought the car since it was leaking quite a bit. Mine was done at the dealership along with a few items that needed to be done (had to pass inspection ASAP)...as you said it wasn't expensive since it's a pretty straight forward job.

The rear main seal would definitely not be fun.

Anyway, for whatever reason the front crank seal seems like a pretty common item to go on older 240SX's.

Awesome, as long as it doesn't entail something much more serious, I'll probably call the nissan dealer up and have them do it. I want to get that squared away before i autox this year (don't want anything unexpected to happen) and maybe get it cleaned up down there, because it's awfully nasty looking (the top of my engine still retains its steamcleaned look from when i first got it)

[Chingon]

you guys are right...for some reason I was thinking you have to remove the chain cover and other stuff...I guess I confused it w/the lower chain guide removal...

Anyway, by yourself, you still have to remove the fan and shroud to make it easy. Not hard,..but just kinda meh..

[xekushnr]

becaseu its cold here in MI i use 5W mobil synth

where are you at in MI? not to many other MI people on NICO. im actually running 15w30 in my daily driver right now, lol its all we had at the shop. im going to change it after 1k miles though.

[ILikeMy240sx]

Im in Ann Arbor. Theres another guy here from AA but he doesnt post much

[xekushnr]

oh wow im in ann arbor twice a week sometimes. its a fun town, and never short of ladies thanks to the university im in farmington hills, if you know where its at.

[574-240sx]

I use Mobile 1 filters when the Nissan dealer isn't open. I buy Mobile 1 oil filter from Autozone. They are pretty salty.

[ILikeMy240sx]

They are pretty salty.....

Hmmm never heard anyone use that term before... enlighten me what does it mean?

[574-240sx]

Hmmm never heard anyone use that term before... enlighten me what does it mean?

It means they are pretty expensive

[Adam240sx]

I just changed oil and filter to Mobil 1 sythentic. Also added restore 4 to oil and gum out to gas. Now she's running like a champ.

Adam

[skydragoness]

you guys are right...for some reason I was thinking you have to remove the chain cover and other stuff...I guess I confused it w/the lower chain guide removal...

Anyway, by yourself, you still have to remove the fan and shroud to make it easy. Not hard,..but just kinda meh..

No problemo. Removed my clutch fan/shroud 2 yrs ago! I'm still not doing it myself though, i can't bring myself to do anything more than a oil change in less than 30 degree temps

[Chingon]

Hmmm never heard anyone use that term before... enlighten me what does it mean?

I'm guessing it's an allusion to expensive from when salt was worth gold in like ancient times..