Can too frequent oil changes be bad?

[Rinometer]

Hello,

I got a car with some dark oil and I think it wasn't treated well, i.e. oil not always replaced on time and sometimes out of spec oil was used, and now the oil looks dark and I assume some dirt has accumulated.

I was thinking that in the next year I'll do more oil changes.

Instead of once a year, then maybe 2 or even 3 times to try to get the oil to be more clear again.

But is it ok? Or changing too many times is also not good?

Thanks

 

[BrendanC]

i would do a BG EPR flush if you’re worried about sludge etc. after that refill with a quality oil that meets the specifications slated by the manufacturer.

it’s important to know, some cars just run dirty and will discolor oil quickly. what do you drive? how many miles etc.

 

[reemoeMO]

The only thing hurt by frequent oil changes is the hit to your wallet. Change away! Myself, I would try HPL's EC and skip BG EPR, as HPL would be safer and easier.

 

[kschachn]

But is it ok? Or changing too many times is also not good?

A few previous threads on this topic. Perhaps an answer may be found there:

Frequent oil changes cause more wear?!

I was looking at a few BMW and Mercedes forums and some people say that short drain intervals will cause more wear because the antiwear additives need time to cling to the surfaces and are washed off with "too frequent" oil changes. I'm not advocating unnecessarily short OCIs but if there's...

bobistheoilguy.com

Can one change oil too often?

For engine oil, I have gotten the idea from reading BITOG that the most wear occurs right after an oil change because the new oil removes the good film built up on the engine parts. So it seems like one would not want to change the oil till it went somewhat close to its worn out state and then...

bobistheoilguy.com

changing your oil too often will harm your engine

found this interesting post on another forum. http://www.ozmpsclub.com/forum/tech-talk/1446-oil-type-changes.html here is a cut and paste to save time. is there any truth at all to this claim? never heard of it TBH! QUOTE FROM ABOVE Save your money and save your engine A lot of the advice...

bobistheoilguy.com

Could changing oil too often damage the engine?

First of all before I start this I want to apologize if I sound dumb, my english is not very good. Having said that, I just wanted to know about your thoughts on this topic: Since my driving habits are about to change (i'm gonna drive repetitive short distances on a daily basis) I was thinking...

bobistheoilguy.com

frequent oil change = cat damage?

This came up in a thread in another forum I visit:"""wouldn't get too worried about the cat convertor issue. The oil additive that poses a risk to convertors is zinc dithiophosphate (ZDP). This is good stuff, an anti-wear additive. If you overfill your crankcase or change oil too frequently cat...

bobistheoilguy.com

NEw oil= increased engine wear?

I had recently read, that when you drain old oil, and add new oil you are actually causing increased enigne wear, that the new oil needs to be broken in ect, and wont have the same lubricity of hte old oil thats colected dirt and mileage. Is this true? I find that hard to belive... I alwasy...

bobistheoilguy.com

Is this true? More Freq. oil chg = more wear

Found this on another forum, is there any merit to this???? The ORIGINAL factory APPROVED oil change interval is 30,000 miles! YES 30,000 MILES!! Did you comprehend that? THE ORGINAL OIL CHANGE INTERVAL APPROVAL IS 30,000 MILES!!! Now that I have that off my chest, VW reduced the interval...

bobistheoilguy.com

Can too frequent oil changes be bad?

Hello, I got a car with some dark oil and I think it wasn't treated well, i.e. oil not always replaced on time and sometimes out of spec oil was used, and now the oil looks dark and I assume some dirt has accumulated. I was thinking that in the next year I'll do more oil changes. Instead of...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[cptbarkey]

If you have a laptop, or android phone you can get a cheap $20 boroscope with a light from Amazon and poke down the valve cover gasket to check for evidence of sludge. You can also go up the drain hole as well (obviously after draining.)

Some folks go nuts and take off the valve cover and drain pan and clean what they can find. I would advise against that because you are loosening things and there is now much more risk of it catching somewhere in the system and blocking a critical oil gallery.

After you confirm, then start thinking about a plan. Multiple changes is one path, there is a multitude of "engine cleaners" out there to try.

 

[kschachn]

If you have a laptop, or android phone you can get a cheap $20 boroscope with a light from Amazon and poke down the valve cover gasket to check for evidence of sludge. You can also go up the drain hole as well (obviously after draining.)

Some folks go nuts and take off the valve cover and drain pan and clean what they can find. I would advise against that because you are loosening things and there is now much more risk of it catching somewhere in the system and blocking a critical oil gallery.

After you confirm, then start thinking about a plan. Multiple changes is one path, there is a multitude of "engine cleaners" out there to try.

A good recommendation when "dirt" is suspected but not seen. No reason to chase imaginary problems.

 

[FZ1]

Hello,

I got a car with some dark oil and I think it wasn't treated well, i.e. oil not always replaced on time and sometimes out of spec oil was used, and now the oil looks dark and I assume some dirt has accumulated.

I was thinking that in the next year I'll do more oil changes.

Instead of once a year, then maybe 2 or even 3 times to try to get the oil to be more clear again.

But is it ok? Or changing too many times is also not good?

Thanks

Good Walmart brand and change it 2x per year.

 

[Jim K]

Yep , I change mine twice a year. I think that is good enough.

 

[zzyzzx]

Direct injected turbocharged engine?

 

[kebabaluba]

More than 2 times a year are a bit of overkill unless you actually drive the car significant amount of miles per year. Kinda waste of money too unless you do an engine flush, a bottle of chemicals or diesel fuel in the crankcase right before oil change.

 

[Trav]

Hello,

I got a car with some dark oil and I think it wasn't treated well, i.e. oil not always replaced on time and sometimes out of spec oil was used, and now the oil looks dark and I assume some dirt has accumulated.

I was thinking that in the next year I'll do more oil changes.

Instead of once a year, then maybe 2 or even 3 times to try to get the oil to be more clear again.

But is it ok? Or changing too many times is also not good?

Thanks

Change it all you want it does no harm. The engine will stay clean inside though.

 

[awguy]

Downside,
if not careful is stripping drain plug, moving wire harnesses more often (especially this) leading to eventual breakage, maybe not installing oil filter properly if hurried. Forgetting oil filter oil ring or installing when old o-ring is still in place. Mostly brain fart stuff.

On the other hand you can inspect the engine compartment more often especially for leaks.

 

[Furious]

Change it as much as you want, the only thing I have noticed with UOA's and there is no solid evidence for it is that when switching brands of oil you might see a temporary increase in wear metals but nothing major.

My suggestion stick with the brand of your choice and change every 5,000 miles or 6 months. Maybe try out the new Valvoline Restore & Protect for a few changes and see how it does for you then switch to a brand of your choice.

 

[53' Stude]

I was at AAP buying some EDGE EP 0w20 other day. Some old, arrogant idiot says “you gonna run that in your vehicle?” I said “yes, and I’ll go 5-6,500 miles and sample it”

He said “I go 2,500 miles as engines cost money”

I walked right out with my purchase. The ignorance is astounding.

 

[ZZman]

New oil in a car more often? No problem. Using oil too long, not good.

The only issue is money and time wasted dumping perfectly good oil.

 

[Furious]

I was at AAP buying some EDGE EP 0w20 other day. Some old, arrogant idiot says “you gonna run that in your vehicle?” I said “yes, and I’ll go 5-6,500 miles and sample it”

He said “I go 2,500 miles as engines cost money”

I walked right out with my purchase. The ignorance is astounding.

Some people are stuck in the conventional days, I still do not believe in extended oil change intervals because I have seen many times what it does so my limit is 5,000 personally but people can do what they want, some engines handle extended intervals pretty well though.

Nothing wrong with Castrol either.

 

[53' Stude]

Some people are stuck in the conventional days, I still do not believe in extended oil change intervals because I have seen many times what it does so my limit is 5,000 personally but people can do what they want, some engines handle extended intervals pretty well though.

Nothing wrong with Castrol either.

From what I have witnessed and learned from Stumpy, DNewton and WWilson I’ll follow their advice. I don’t like wasting $$$$

 

[LonelyOilFunnel]

From what I have witnessed and learned from Stumpy, DNewton and WWilson I’ll follow their advice. I don’t like wasting $$$$

And don’t forget about those dry starts when changing too often as well!

 

[totegoat]

How many miles a year do you put on the car?

 

[Kira]

We still don't know what vehicle-odometer reading-circumstances/general condition the OP "got".