Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Don't mess with the viscosity. You can safely try maxlife, just remember it may take a few oil changes to notice a difference, so don't condemn it after one oci.
Agreed^^^
I have a car that I only drive during the summer months('80 Firebird FORMULA V8). Original Owner/33 years! This engine had probably experienced those drips/leaks or even some blowby for at least 10 of those years.
I believe it took 4 summers/OCI's to notice the oil drips slowing down(using MaxLife). And the consumption, even though the drips hadn't quite stopped, was gone completely as I no longer have to topoff with oil all summer long. I must have also had some blowby since I only put on about 500-700 miles/summer and I was adding ~ 1/2 qt during those miles though, no tailpipe smoke
I last change the Oil/Filter in July 2012 and still have not had to topoff with oil. I may change the oil prior to the Winter storage...or not! Maybe only in the Spring '14. Oil is still very clean with only about 900 miles on this OCI
I am currently using another HM oil(DEFY) with continued success and I like it's smoother operation as well. I will continue to use either of these HM oils in this car as I have noticed a dramitic slow down of oil drips and the consumption is gone!
In addition, with vehicles driven more often than a summer car, I'd expect to see results of HM oils much sooner than my particular 4 years. Several OCI(or a years worth) would be normal IMHO!
I should add that I use 5W30 in this engine(4.9L/301cid V8 w/4bbl Rochester). Though the OM mentions many grades of oil from 5W30 to 20W50, the engine doesn't seem to require anything beyond a 10W30.