Opinions wanted

[Big_3_Only]

Just obtained a '96 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 gas engine from my father in law. He had it since new and it's got 227,500 miles. Used bulk Pennzoil all those miles and changes were done religiously. It doesn't burn or use any oil, doesn't smoke, even on cold start ups. My goal here is for it to last as long as possible and keep going with no problems. Have been considering either Red Line or Schaeffer's because of their "robust" add packs and don't both of them have a lot more anti-wear agents, than most of the "popular" oils? I'm sure many are gonna say stay with what's been working, which I don't mind doing, but I do my own changes and he did not, so I'm sure there will be a difference in what I can buy versus what a lube shop uses in bulk form. I plan on having an analysis done after a few thousand more miles.

 

[StevieC]

Those 5.9's and their cousin 5.2's from that era are durable engines. You could run it on Bulk Conventional where you are and it will keep going virtually forever. No need to change up the oil or spend a lot of money on oil. Lots of them running around near me in brutal winters on conventional with piles of miles.

If you do want to use a synthetic, use a shelf oil and all will be well.

 

[CT8]

Really, Schaeffers or Redline do they replace the metals on the 227,000 mile engine? You will never see any difference when running the boutique type oils as compared to quality oils from the major oil companies.. Run what Dad used . You have already posted the evidence. Change the fluids on a regular schedule and enjoy.

 

[dave1251]

Just do what has worked thus far no reason to change.

 

[opus1]

As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

 

[Big_3_Only]

Great. That's what I'm talking about. Thanks fellas.

 

[CharBaby]

Hmmm, I was gonna say, use what he used but, I won't!

 

[JLTD]

Originally Posted by dave1251
Just do what has worked thus far no reason to change.


Schaeffer Oil is good stuff and even though I'm a Schaeffer wanna be fan, I have to agree here. In TX with a reasonable interval you can just keep using the Pennzoil.

If you do decide to switch to a higher end synthetic, keep in mind you may see some leaks for the first few thousand miles, which should dry up if the seals are in good shape. You can also run a longer interval than specified in the owner's manual.

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted by dave1251
Just do what has worked thus far no reason to change.

+1

 

[lawrencerd]

I'd probably run a widely available synthetic bought on sale and put the savings into maintaining the vehicle as a whole. Surely at that mileage there are a few things to be taken care of? Even if it's only changing the other fluids like trans/differentials it would probably be more benefit than redline in an old truck.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted by Big_3_Only
Just obtained a '96 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 gas engine from my father in law. He had it since new and it's got 227,500 miles. Used bulk Pennzoil all those miles and changes were done religiously. It doesn't burn or use any oil, doesn't smoke, even on cold start ups. My goal here is for it to last as long as possible and keep going with no problems. Have been considering either Red Line or Schaeffer's because of their "robust" add packs and don't both of them have a lot more anti-wear agents, than most of the "popular" oils? I'm sure many are gonna say stay with what's been working, which I don't mind doing, but I do my own changes and he did not, so I'm sure there will be a difference in what I can buy versus what a lube shop uses in bulk form. I plan on having an analysis done after a few thousand more miles.


DO NOT change anything. Don't try to fix what ain't broke.
Keep using that same Pennzoil and same weight as before. Same filter too. If it's a house brand filter, BITOG member 53' Stude would know the name to an almost exact replacement.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted by Big_3_Only
it's got 227,500 miles. Used bulk Pennzoil all those miles and changes were done religiously. It doesn't burn or use any oil, doesn't smoke, even on cold start ups. My goal here is for it to last as long as possible and keep going with no problems. Have been considering either Red Line or Schaeffer's


FFS, you don't put synthetic oil into a well used engine like that, that has never seen synthetic oil. It has 230,000 miles, all of it on dino oil. Keep using the Pennzoil, dont change things up now.

Unless you like the idea of rear main seal leaks or leaking valve covers, than go ahead and change to synthetic.

Does the transmission, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and differential have 230,000 miles on their fluids (likely)??? Thats where you should spend some time and maintenance dollars at.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Why would you want to change something that's worked for 23 years? If anything, switch to a Pennzoil or Quaker State high mileage oil.

 

[UncleDave]

33Miles of wear per hour of idle sounds about right.

It isn't an issue of idling causing " harm" but an issue of how much wear for purposes of maintenance and vehicle lifespan.

If you idle a lot you can't go by the odometer for change intervals ...oil, belts, fluids, plugs.

I deal with pet grooming vans that are made with high idle to run aux air conditioners that idle for 6-8 hours a day.

The 33 MPH idle equivalent makes tons of sense as high idle is about the same RPM as running 60 MPH on the freeway and it consumes about the same amount if fuel.

People are sold on these config because of no genset but I have to explain to them the vehicles engine is really the most expensive genset of all.

After 5 years of this type of use they are almost all basically shot even with 100K or less on the actual odometer.


UD

 

[Big_3_Only]

Originally Posted by bubbatime
Originally Posted by Big_3_Only
it's got 227,500 miles. Used bulk Pennzoil all those miles and changes were done religiously. It doesn't burn or use any oil, doesn't smoke, even on cold start ups. My goal here is for it to last as long as possible and keep going with no problems. Have been considering either Red Line or Schaeffer's


FFS, you don't put synthetic oil into a well used engine like that, that has never seen synthetic oil. It has 230,000 miles, all of it on dino oil. Keep using the Pennzoil, dont change things up now.

Unless you like the idea of rear main seal leaks or leaking valve covers, than go ahead and change to synthetic.

Does the transmission, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and differential have 230,000 miles on their fluids (likely)??? Thats where you should spend some time and maintenance dollars at.



Last week I changed transmission fluid, rear differential fluid, and power steering fluid. And yes this truck is all original. Never a wrench on the motor/tranny. He flushed and refilled the trans maybe twice during those miles and I did find out that he was running high mileage Quaker State a few years ago or 60-70k miles.

 

[DGXR]

Originally Posted by Big_3_Only
Just obtained a '96 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 gas engine from my father in law. He had it since new and it's got 227,500 miles. Used bulk Pennzoil all those miles and changes were done religiously. It doesn't burn or use any oil, doesn't smoke, even on cold start ups. My goal here is for it to last as long as possible and keep going with no problems. Have been considering either Red Line or Schaeffer's because of their "robust" add packs and don't both of them have a lot more anti-wear agents, than most of the "popular" oils? I'm sure many are gonna say stay with what's been working, which I don't mind doing, but I do my own changes and he did not, so I'm sure there will be a difference in what I can buy versus what a lube shop uses in bulk form. I plan on having an analysis done after a few thousand more miles.

Stay with what's been working, LOL. Honestly, don't bother with the boutique oils. Yes the additive packs are different among all the different brands, but usually the biggest difference is that the fancy stuff has a better base oil. Obviously your Ram does not need this... it has done a lot of miles with basic maintenance and it is still strong and healthy, so just keep this going. If you can somehow get the boutique stuff for near the same price as the common stuff, then go for it. Or, I'd suggest fancy oil if you have a high-strung high-performance vehicle that would be suitable, which the Ram certainly is not. Otherwise you're not benefiting.
My Tacoma calls for conventional but I run M1 synthetic because rebates make it the same price (or cheaper) and I extend the service interval a bit with the synthetic. Win-win. I do use boutique oil (Amsoil) for manual transmissions and differentials, I think these are good places to use the fancy stuff because they are not changed out very often.
You (we all) will eventually need to switch to high mileage oil once the engine shows obvious signs of wear... if we keep the vehicles long enough.

 

[burla]

There are things going on in hemi's that this forum hasn't been interested in learning about. Stuff that with nearly a decade of results goes against the cut of thier jib, so they don't accept it. I'd go to a ram forum and discuss is there. But, one of the things that has been going on is that in high mileage 5.7 hemi's is that in some cases the redline takes away stuff that has been keeping the engine quiet, it has happened several times and only with high mileage engines. Instead of making the hemi butter smooth and quiet as only redline/motul seams to do, you can actually have an unpleasant experience with it. It is hit and miss WITH HIGH MILEAGE ENGINES and the ram forum has a consensus that you take a risk when moving over to redline at high mileage, so we don't recomend it. Might want Pennzil high mileage oil.

 

[Kira]

Slightly off track here but one thing I remember reading YEARS AGO pertained to a situation such as yours.

If a brake cylinder goes (back in 4 wheel drum days) don't patch. Renew them all. The "Don't patch" advice is what I wanted to convey.

Your ride is pushing the 1/4 mill, very cool. Good luck with it.

 

[Big_3_Only]

v

 

[ka9mnx]

10w30 is all that engine is asking for. Pennzoil is a good choice.