[Pomorza]

Hey guys
So my jeep just ticked passed the 250,000 mile mark (currently sitting at 250,876) and I'm in a bit of a jam. For the past 13 years (my jeeps a 1996) I've used Castrol GTX oil (or GTX High mileage) along with a Fram TG oil filter and replaced my oil every 3000 miles or three months. In the past couple of weeks I've started considering changing to a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil so maybe extend the life of my already old engine.
Here's my case. Since I change my oil so often spending $50+ on an oil change (using full synthetic or blend) seems kind of a loss financially. So does using synthetics really make that much of a difference. My jeep has the 4.0l I6 and has little if any knocking at idle and non at anything else. I don't like letting the oil sit there longer then three months, even if it says it can be there longer. I did the valve cover about three years ago and found no sludge what so ever on my cylinder head.

Thanks for the advice
Jan

P.S
What do you all think of Castrol Edge oil?

[Turbonut]

Why change a good thing! Our old '93 passed 300K with good old Dino oil and no engine related problems whatsoever.

[trailblaze]

yeah, i wouldn't switch to syn on that motor with those miles. thats a darn good engine and it likes plain old oil.

[xJoshxx]

agreed why mess with perfection

But please Shield my eyes from what i had read is snuck up on me your using a FRAM oil filter please god be nice to your jeep and buy a Quality Oil filter please!

the stock mopar oil filters do better than frams!

we should Ban the Word Fram and Oil together in the same forum.

[gatorayde]

Any good synthetic blend oil and a wix filter every 3k would suit you best since you're set on changing it every 3 months/3k. Fully synthetic every 3 months/3k is a waste of money. And you can change to synthetic at any mileage, I just did mine at 135k and know of others who have done it at 200k+.

[indianajeep]

I wouldn't change to synthetic, either. You've done great so far with conventional oil. Also, changing to synthetics at this point could start a leak around the rear main seal. Synthetic oil is great at cleaning up sludge. One of the places that sludge forms is around the seals and gaskets - a place where it actually does more good than harm. So, why start your engine leaking and add additional cost to your oil change. From what I have read, synthetics are great if you start using them when your engine is relatively new. But after 100,000 miles, it is just not a good idea. I have a remanufactured 5.2 l in my 96, just got it a month ago, less than 3000 miles on it, and my engine builder was dead set against me using synthetics - use conventional oil and change it every 3000. That's what I have always done - Valvoline 10W30 and always had great luck. In fact I put 300,000 miles on an olds cutlass V8, 4.3 liter, using Valvoline 10W30.

[gharris54]

what oil filters do you consider "good"?

[cmonson]

along with a Fram TG oil filter

FRAM are the ABSOLUTE WORST oil filters out there. Replace that POS with a mobil 1, wix (napa gold are the same).

[gatorayde]

^^ Amsoi'ls super crazy filtering one (I don't remember the exact name lol) or WIX

[Ridin' Around]

From the standpoint of Synthetics & cost- If you are using a quality true synthetic, you should be going alot longer than 3000 miles on your oil changes. This will be argued to death on this forum, but the fact is you can switch to synthetic at any mileage. I have personally switched over many high mileage vehicles, My record right now is 263,000 plus miles (when we switched it to synthetics) on a chevy pickup, last year. If you can extend your drain interval then the synthetics actually become cheaper than conventional. I could get you an oil change that could get you to a 7500 mile interval, with filter for under $40.00. I can see where spending $50+ on 3000 mile intervals could get expensive and seem like a waste.

[xJoshxx]

Originally Posted by gatorayde

^^ Amsoi'ls super crazy filtering one (I don't remember the exact name lol) or WIX

you mean this Crazy Filtering One.

http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?code=EAO42-EA

and this crazy Synthetic

http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?code=ATMQT-EA

Ask Ridin Around he can Hook you up!

btw beat you on the linkz again.

[compcrasher86]

Yeah the FRAM name has been shunned upon by the Jeepforum community. Its the kind of thing you find at walmart. Trash the fram oil filter A.S.A.P, you have just gotten lucky because they are known to collapse on themselves or something, and it can TOTAL your engine.

You have what we like to call evidence that a Jeep can last forever.

[trailblaze]

i know some of you will say otherwise, but going 25k on an oil change/ filter is just nuts.

i run mobile 1 oil/filter in my 05 Legacy GT and i STILL change the oil every 4-5k depending on the type of driving i've done and the weather. the LGT has been drinking full syn since the first change

yeah it's a 50 dollar oil change and i do it maybe 2.5 times a year so for 125 bucks a year i call that a good investment in maintenance that will with out a doubt keep my engine clean.

now for my jeep the XJ got changed every 3k. but since i drove it 5k a year i changed it 2 times a year. just think about the cost of oil as a good way to keep a healthy motor.


i might consider running mobile 1 in my Overland now. at 83k it should keep things clean...

[Ridin' Around]

To understand and trust the Extended Drain Intervals, you must also understand the filtering process. I am currenty involved in a project that involves taking apart about 15 brands of filters. We may do more as they are aquired. We are taping the whole project to include the vidoes in the finished project. The whole project will be available on the web. Here are a few filter pictures that have been on here before. They may help a few of you better understand what is on the inside of that "little can" and why it is important to choose a quality filter, as is the correct oil for your vehicle.

First is the Fram filter. Notice the cardboard ends on the filter media, This is a very cheaply made filter, that is not made to be used in any kind of extended drain application. A lot of JeepForum members choose not to use it at all.


Next is the Mopar branded filter. It has metal endcaps, but uses a string to help retain the filter media's shape in the canister and also the "leaf style" spring in the by-pass.


Then look at the WIX. It is a high quality filter that is still reasonably priced. It has a coil spring for the by-pass and would be acceptable on an extended drain up to about 7500 miles.


Then, if you compare them all to the Amsoil EA series of filters you will note the different color of the media. The Amsoil uses a synthetic media, a coil spring, fully enclosed metal end caps, and while you can't see it in the picture, it has one of the sturdiest, thickest canisters on the market.


I hope this helps start some people thinking about what they are using on/in their engines. It is hard for me to understand how some will spare no expense when it comes to a lift or other parts for their jeeps. Yet when it comes to protecting the engine of that same vehicle, they look for "anything that is on sale" or "Whatever's the cheapest". The fluids and filters are very important, don't skimp in that dept.

[Pomorza]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I really needed some feedback here. As for oil filters. This may seem like an obvious question but why are Fram Tough Guard filters bad? I know that the standard Frams use cardboard so I'm keeping away from them.
Please explain this to me. For me, I haven't had any issues with Frams but I'm sure you guys can tell me otherwise. And please be as specific as possible with the reasons...saying their bad just because is not really a reason. I'm not trying to be an *** here but I've heard this reason (just because..) for everything from not using Michelin tires, to not using royal purple in cars.
Now are you guys telling me to stay away from all fram filters. I was debating trying the extended guard filter or should i stay away from all of them?
Thanks Ridin' Around for the pictures of the interior, helps me understand some reasons.

Thanks
Jan