Saturn DOHC 3.0L Engine - what's recommended?

[[email protected]]

Yeah I know, theres a million of these "whats recommended threads" but hey, what is BITOG for, right?

We have a Saturn L300 with the 3.0L DOHC V6, 44,000 miles. We have the maintenace package with Saturn where they perform all required maintenance up to 60,000 miles or 5 years. Dont ask why we bought that, its a long story...lol. My point is Saturn has been changing the oil since new. We usually run 4,000-5,000 between oil changes (75% highway 25% city driving). Tonite I changed the oil myself seeing that we just dont have the time to get down to Saturn. Darn Saturn of Lakeside stripped the oil plug

After a battle with some vi-scripts, I was able to get it loose (remember its a torx drain plug). I think I will go get a new drain plug Wednesday from the dealer and cancel the maint. plan seeing that Im not happy about that. Also the oil filter (paper type) lid was so tight, I needed a breaker bar and socket to get it loose!

I refilled with Wal-marts Super-Tech full synthetic 5w30. Exactly who makes that stuff anyways?

I want so see what other Saturn 3.0L engine owners are using and whats given some good UOA's? I was hoping to use the Supertech full synthetic for the next couple thousand of miles and maybe switch over to Mobil 1. But if the Supertech is good, I will stick with that (seeing that its $13 for a 5qt jug!)

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

WM ST Synth is made by WPP. Check the UOA forum for results in other's rides. It's a decent product.

Is that 3.0L the same as the Saab offering?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Any SL/SM rated 5w30 would be excellent for 4-5k OCI.

The Supertech Syn is maed by Warren PP. Its a good oil but I'd rather go with Pennzoil conventional ($9.97 for 5 qts walmart), Mobil 5000 ($8.97 for 5 qts at Wal-Mart), QS or Halvoline. All in the 5w30 range will be fine.

The major reason why NO ONE changes the oil on my or my family engines is because the typical mechanic could care less.

The major reason they over tighten things is they are afraid of it coming back out of oil (and them having to pay for a repair)and every mechanic knows if tight is good, tighter is better!

I know there are some that really use a brain cell, but the ones I have seen (incl the ones that take care of our work fleet) don't try real hard.

Back to subject, do it your self and know it was done correctly.

I'd also maybe think about a drain valve to make things easier on your car since the pan is compromised.

Take care, bill

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Any SL/SM rated 5w30 would be excellent for 4-5k OCI.

The Supertech Syn is maed by Warren PP. Its a good oil but I'd rather go with Pennzoil conventional ($9.97 for 5 qts walmart), Mobil 5000 ($8.97 for 5 qts at Wal-Mart), QS or Halvoline. All in the 5w30 range will be fine.

The major reason why NO ONE changes the oil on my or my family engines is because the typical mechanic could care less.

The major reason they over tighten things is they are afraid of it coming back out of oil (and them having to pay for a repair)and every mechanic knows if tight is good, tighter is better!

I know there are some that really use a brain cell, but the ones I have seen (incl the ones that take care of our work fleet) don't try real hard.

Back to subject, do it your self and know it was done correctly.

I'd also maybe think about a drain valve to make things easier on your car since the pan is compromised.

Take care, bill


Thanks Bill. FWIW, the oil pan is fine; the "head" torx drain plug is stripped. I just used vi-scripts to get it out. So its just the drain plug thats bad, not the pan.

Is walmarts supertech that bad that a conventional oil is better?

Maybe I'll do a 3k OCI and switch to something else (funny - I have 65qts of Mobil 5000 on my shelf right now due to the big sale at Autozone but figured I'd use something "better" like walmarts full synthetic

)

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
WM ST Synth is made by WPP. Check the UOA forum for results in other's rides. It's a decent product.

Is that 3.0L the same as the Saab offering?


Its got to be. Seeing that the L300 has a Saab sister. Look at the resemblance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-5

 

[Bill in Utah]

Quote:
Thanks Bill. FWIW, the oil pan is fine; the "head" torx drain plug is stripped. I just used vi-scripts to get it out. So its just the drain plug thats bad, not the pan.

Is walmarts supertech that bad that a conventional oil is better? Maybe I'll do a 3k OCI and switch to something else (funny - I have 65qts of Mobil 5000 on my shelf right now due to the big sale at Autozone but figured I'd use something "better" like walmarts full synthetic )


Go ahead and use the Mobil 5000 for (gasp!

) 5000 miles!

You'd be fine. Plus you get to use the oil you already have.

Your engine will be well protected and will be just fine.

Take care, bill

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: [email protected]
Yeah I know, theres a million of these "whats recommended threads" but hey, what is BITOG for, right?

We have a Saturn L300 with the 3.0L DOHC V6, 44,000 miles. We have the maintenace package with Saturn where they perform all required maintenance up to 60,000 miles or 5 years. Dont ask why we bought that, its a long story...lol. My point is Saturn has been changing the oil since new. We usually run 4,000-5,000 between oil changes (75% highway 25% city driving). Tonite I changed the oil myself seeing that we just dont have the time to get down to Saturn. Darn Saturn of Lakeside stripped the oil plug

After a battle with some vi-scripts, I was able to get it loose (remember its a torx drain plug). I think I will go get a new drain plug Wednesday from the dealer and cancel the maint. plan seeing that Im not happy about that. Also the oil filter (paper type) lid was so tight, I needed a breaker bar and socket to get it loose!

I refilled with Wal-marts Super-Tech full synthetic 5w30. Exactly who makes that stuff anyways?

I want so see what other Saturn 3.0L engine owners are using and whats given some good UOA's? I was hoping to use the Supertech full synthetic for the next couple thousand of miles and maybe switch over to Mobil 1. But if the Supertech is good, I will stick with that (seeing that its $13 for a 5qt jug!)


I think I read your post at saturnfans; I'm twosaturns over there. anyway, the other issue to watch for on the 3.0 is the filter mount getting stripped. I don't have an L300, but I remember reading about techs stripping that too, and it is a major PITA to fix. you might want to do a search over there about this. the 3.0 is a fine engine (181hp, real good mpg, and smoooooth), but weird (it's made in england, figures). all the fittings are torx, and most shops have no clue how to work on them (saturn techs aren't no better either).

 

[GMFan]

Finally, a saturn owner on these boards.

I have a 2001 SL1 and my last change I put in Mobil 1 5w30 for the winter. It has 93.5k miles on it and it doesn't burn any oil. I mainly used Mobil 1 for the winter cold and cold starts. I will probably try Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic blend next time or Valvoline conventional.

I'm not really sure I buy into the synthetic crowd when it comes to a standard engine. I think synthetic has it's main benefits in powerful engines, long drain intervals or in extreme temperatures. Saturns have an oil life monitor which is what I go by. It usually goes off around 5k miles. I think for your standard 5k mile oil change interval any name brand conventional will do just fine. Mobil Clean 5000 and Valvoline are good. If you want synthetic for peace of mind I'd get either Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum for performance per $.

 

[kgb007stb]

Hey now there are more of us here:
02 SL1
01 SC2

peace!

 

[Steelhead]

hope u have that 65 qts of Mobil5000 in a heated room there in Michigan?

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: Steelhead
hope u have that 65 qts of Mobil5000 in a heated room there in Michigan?



The garage t-stat is set at 62F. Some of it sat in the trunk of my Envoy overnight though, is that going to be a problem?

 

[falconman]

Theres no problem with your oil sitting in your truck overnight. It's just harder to pour when it's cold.

As for the drain plug, you don't need to go to the dealer, just go to an auto parts store. There you can get one with a standard "hex" head instead of the torx head.

For your oil, the Super Tech synthetic and Mobil 5000 will be fine.

 

[falconman]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Is that 3.0L the same as the Saab offering?



Yes it is. It was also used Cadillac Catera.