Yes it is, I had my work light to the left of the engine and it affected the lighting. Gotta love smart phones lol It looks a lot cleaner in person.
Engine pics--97k Miles on 2.2 Ecotec
- Thread starter wardak33
- Start date
- Status
What brand of oil filter are you using? I might switch to Mobil 1. Seems to do a great job in those Ecotechs.
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
What brand of oil filter are you using? I might switch to Mobil 1. Seems to do a great job in those Ecotechs.
Mainly the AC Delco filters, and they usually have Hengst stamped on them, but I've also used Purolator Pure One's and Wix filters with good results as well.
And as a side note, Mobil 1 is a dexos approved oil.
What brand of oil filter are you using? I might switch to Mobil 1. Seems to do a great job in those Ecotechs.
Mainly the AC Delco filters, and they usually have Hengst stamped on them, but I've also used Purolator Pure One's and Wix filters with good results as well.
And as a side note, Mobil 1 is a dexos approved oil.
Originally Posted By: zeezee
What are your OCIs? I've also had a few Ecotecs and my current 2.2 has almost 100k on Mobil 1 as well. Never had a reason to open it up since it runs so well. I think it is GM's best engine ever.
I change it every 5k miles. I know it may seem overkill to some, but I let my car idle A LOT and there's some cases where I have to get right in the car and drive on cold starts. When I change the oil, the DIC reads somewhere around 10% either way.
What are your OCIs? I've also had a few Ecotecs and my current 2.2 has almost 100k on Mobil 1 as well. Never had a reason to open it up since it runs so well. I think it is GM's best engine ever.
I change it every 5k miles. I know it may seem overkill to some, but I let my car idle A LOT and there's some cases where I have to get right in the car and drive on cold starts. When I change the oil, the DIC reads somewhere around 10% either way.
Originally Posted By: wardak33
Thanks for the comments. Reason why I was going to change was because I got a killer deal on the Castrol oil but you guys do make a good point. And I do believe it is a hydraulic tensioner so the chain slack is normal i'm guessing. I'm still trying to find where this oil leak is coming from. It looked like it was coming from the valve cover gasket but upon further inspection, it seems as its coming an area lower than that. PITA lol
Great reason to use another quality oil this time, it's obvious your engine isn't going to sludge up by switching oils for ONE interval...or using w/e major brand name you prefer for that matter.
I've found brand loyalty isn't where I'm at right now. Each oil is a slightly differing tool. Learn each one, use them wisely.
You did good keeping the engine clean on OCIs w/ M1.
Thanks for the comments. Reason why I was going to change was because I got a killer deal on the Castrol oil but you guys do make a good point. And I do believe it is a hydraulic tensioner so the chain slack is normal i'm guessing. I'm still trying to find where this oil leak is coming from. It looked like it was coming from the valve cover gasket but upon further inspection, it seems as its coming an area lower than that. PITA lol
Great reason to use another quality oil this time, it's obvious your engine isn't going to sludge up by switching oils for ONE interval...or using w/e major brand name you prefer for that matter.
I've found brand loyalty isn't where I'm at right now. Each oil is a slightly differing tool. Learn each one, use them wisely.
You did good keeping the engine clean on OCIs w/ M1.
Okay now you have to do the 100,000 mile test on Pennzoil Ultra and document the difference.
Originally Posted By: tig1
+8. My engines only see M1 oils and are as clean as yours.Also if there is no noise then your chain guids are still in good condition. It's the guides that are prone to failure due to poor oil conditions.
+9
Changing over to Castrol Edge at this point makes zero sense to me!
+8. My engines only see M1 oils and are as clean as yours.Also if there is no noise then your chain guids are still in good condition. It's the guides that are prone to failure due to poor oil conditions.
+9
Changing over to Castrol Edge at this point makes zero sense to me!
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Here's an engine with ~250k miles on it at the time (Mazda 2.0L)
oil change history:
0-80k unknown
80-175k M1 ~5k intervals
175-250k whatever sale/rebate synthetic I had stocked at ~5k intervals
Its currently at 339k miles and I've continued to run any synthetic or semi-syn that I get for $0-1/qt after rebate (no M1 since ~175k) and at 5k mile intervals. After being on BITOG long enough, I realized that M1 wasn't needed, but why settle for dino when I could get synthetic for same or cheaper if I bought wisely and stocked up.
M1 does a great job - but part of the reason I DIY is to save money.
I've also read that ECOTECs are easy on oil. I've got one in my '05 Vue and plan on following the OLM. 2.2L w/ 5qt sump vs the above Mazda 2.0L w/ 3.7qt sump should definitely allow longer OCIs.
wardak33, thanks for the pic - makes me happy I went with an ECOTEC powered Vue last year when car shopping. Thing runs smooth and quiet!
oil change history:
0-80k unknown
80-175k M1 ~5k intervals
175-250k whatever sale/rebate synthetic I had stocked at ~5k intervals
Its currently at 339k miles and I've continued to run any synthetic or semi-syn that I get for $0-1/qt after rebate (no M1 since ~175k) and at 5k mile intervals. After being on BITOG long enough, I realized that M1 wasn't needed, but why settle for dino when I could get synthetic for same or cheaper if I bought wisely and stocked up.
M1 does a great job - but part of the reason I DIY is to save money.
I've also read that ECOTECs are easy on oil. I've got one in my '05 Vue and plan on following the OLM. 2.2L w/ 5qt sump vs the above Mazda 2.0L w/ 3.7qt sump should definitely allow longer OCIs.
wardak33, thanks for the pic - makes me happy I went with an ECOTEC powered Vue last year when car shopping. Thing runs smooth and quiet!
Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Sorry, no emotional attachment to M1. It's just been the results I am attached to. I also agree that most of the modern oils will work well. However I would not run the 10K OCIs I do with all oils.
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Sorry, no emotional attachment to M1. It's just been the results I am attached to. I also agree that most of the modern oils will work well. However I would not run the 10K OCIs I do with all oils.
Well, I've used Mobil 1 pretty religiously in my Ecotec 2.2s for 100k each and they probably look like that as well. I'm also switching.
Why? Because Mobil 1 is getting to be way too expensive and I have too much free oil. I also don't think that it's going to make any difference to use other brands of oil. The free oil that I have is also of great quality.
Why? Because Mobil 1 is getting to be way too expensive and I have too much free oil. I also don't think that it's going to make any difference to use other brands of oil. The free oil that I have is also of great quality.
Thats funny I was just noticing the recent price drop at Walmart.
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Sorry, no emotional attachment to M1. It's just been the results I am attached to. I also agree that most of the modern oils will work well. However I would not run the 10K OCIs I do with all oils.
Come on sir, that's somewhat delusional. The guy was creating conversation that is actually quite liberating.
So, should the OP have a heart attack, sell the car, or immediately suspect increased wear or engine cleanliness being automatically compromised from 'ever' using another oil rather than Mobil1?
I think you missed the point of JOD's contribution.
Was this a thread about an engine with 97k miles or M1, anyway?
Says a lot about the engine, and definitely nothing but positives for M1. However, it says more about the engine and maintenance habits of the owner. This includes but is not limited to using a quality oil at obviously reasonable intervals.
Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'm completely lost on all of the "stick with what works" comments. Any good-quality oil changed at a reasonable interval will also "work", and there's no evidence this oil "works" better than any other.
Yes, the engine looks clean, but with a reasonable OCI I imagine that any oil would look the same. No one even asked how often you're changing the oil! M1 is certainly fine oil, but any top brand oil which meets the mfg specs is going to keep your engine clean and "work" just fine. If you find something @ a better deal, I'd use it with confidence.
It appears that you don't think you should stay with an oil that work's well for your engine, and in this case nearly 100K. Actually I have stayed with an oil that has worked well for me for the last 34 yeras in all types of engines in all kinds of conditions. Should I switch now to something differant?
I don't think it would matter, because I think all modern high-quality oils which are suitable for the application will work well. You obviously have an emotional attachment to M1, so you should keep using it if it makes you feel better; but I don't believe other high-quality oils would work less well (or better).
Sorry, no emotional attachment to M1. It's just been the results I am attached to. I also agree that most of the modern oils will work well. However I would not run the 10K OCIs I do with all oils.
Come on sir, that's somewhat delusional. The guy was creating conversation that is actually quite liberating.
So, should the OP have a heart attack, sell the car, or immediately suspect increased wear or engine cleanliness being automatically compromised from 'ever' using another oil rather than Mobil1?
I think you missed the point of JOD's contribution.
Was this a thread about an engine with 97k miles or M1, anyway?
Says a lot about the engine, and definitely nothing but positives for M1. However, it says more about the engine and maintenance habits of the owner. This includes but is not limited to using a quality oil at obviously reasonable intervals.
- Status
