I changed the oil in my daughter's roommate's 2004 Cavalier with 134k on the odo, which I knew was severely neglected and was a hand me down from her parents with no idea of when the oil was last changed. For sure it's been years. The filter was a Microgard MGL9018 which was squashed but not torn, see pics. The media was super hard tho. Worst of all, out of the nearly 5qt oil capacity it had AT MOST 2 qts in it, the oil wasn't even touching the bottom to the dipstick, bone dry. Frighteningly the dipstick wasn't even in all the way, it was hanging out in the breeze a good 2 inches past the o-rings. It doesn't leak oil so either 3 qts blew out the dipstick or it burns oil. I didn't see any blue smoke but I also there wasn't oil all over the engine compartment. So who knows.
As she pulled it into my garage the motor sounded all clattery and loose, noisy as [censored]. Dumped the old stuff, put in nearly 5 qts of 5w30 MaxLife and a Wix filter. Started it up and was amazed at how much better it sounded, virtually all that clatter was gone. Don't know how well the motor survived the neglect long term but at least it's good for now. 3 qts low……….amazing it didn't blow up.
Enjoy the pics.
As she pulled it into my garage the motor sounded all clattery and loose, noisy as [censored]. Dumped the old stuff, put in nearly 5 qts of 5w30 MaxLife and a Wix filter. Started it up and was amazed at how much better it sounded, virtually all that clatter was gone. Don't know how well the motor survived the neglect long term but at least it's good for now. 3 qts low……….amazing it didn't blow up.
Enjoy the pics.