Originally Posted By: Budman
Budman is back... (This will be a long post)
I only check in and read BITOG once in while when bored when I decide to poke in here for some quick reading and attempt to keep up with some latest news about the one thing we all have on our minds for some weird reason.. Oil. That is when I saw this thread.
The POS Murano (to which I don't think I will ever buy another Nissan because of that experience) has since been traded in. After 5 years of too many engine compartment noises, check engine lights, recalls and dealer visits, I gave up on it and didn't want to deal with it any further.
I purchased new a Saturn Aura XR 3.6l in 2008 when they offered me a deal I could not refuse. I really love this car so far and in its fully loaded configuration I feel like it may have been the biggest kept secret in GM's arsenal. Still shocked that Saturn has since been dismantled. I also added a slightly used Mazda3 to my garage as well that only had 7.5k miles on it when I bought it.
Since I never had a problem with Miro and felt that he always responded in timely matter to all my questions when I had Synlube in my Murano as well as seemed knowledgeable with thorough answers I contacted him again when I bought my Saturn.
I know probably everyone here will think I am completely bonkers to go the same route again after the Murano but I always felt in my gut it was more the truck itself at fault (along with incompetent dealer) than a fair attempt at Synlube, so I purchased Synlube AGAIN, this time for BOTH my cars! Please refrain from calling the loony cops for now.
I originally intended to start a blog and document the install of Synlube as well as ongoing results with mileage updates and what not but just decided didn't have the time for it. I still have original pictures I took of the install here for the Saturn XR (the Mazda3 was Synlubed in 2009 when I bought it).
Here is the Initial Fill, Add Oil and filter magnet I bought from Miro sitting ontop of the 3.6l GM gem:
Me purposely ruining my brand new engine {sarcasm} that only has 1150 miles on it at time of of being Synlubed:
Since this initial install, the Saturn has had two filter changes along with topping of Add Oil and now sits with just over 20k miles on it. Engine runs fine and as far as I can tell from driving it is in good condition comparable to what it should be for this mileage. Starts right up, passes smog and have gotten comments of driving smooth from people who have borrowed the car. Nothing out of ordinary, nor should there be for any car with 20k on it. It is still considered newish compared to how long an engine should last. But I also imagine that Wesson changed often could get a modern engine to 20k with no problems..
My Mazda3 was synlubed at around 7-8k miles when I bought it and it now sits at 25k miles on it. So 15k or so on Synlube. Again same as said above applies to the Mazda3. But this Mazda3 on Synlube gave me a scare.
After a year on Synlube it was time for a filter change and topping. These particular cars use a cartridge type oil filter that is open and the filter material is complete exposed. When I pulled the filter to change I was floored at the "coating" on the filter. It was sludged and the coating was enough that I could scrape it with my nail and I suspect filter was not able to filter anymore and was in permanent bypass mode. I took a picture of it and emailed Miro.
He quickly replied that the design of the engine doesn't allow 100% of old oil to be drained and what that sludge was, was most likely that old oil running into its end of life extreme. This is what happens to dino that is run too long he said. Synlube kept it in suspension and the filter did its job of taking it out of circulation. To be honest, I was skeptical a bit and really worried I was damaging engine and thoughts of taking out Synlube next year if next filter showed the same. I was told to check the new filter about 6 months if I could but I just went to the year and changed it for its annual change and topping, high with anticipation.
This second filter change was dramatically different than that first sludged one. This time the filter looked as one would expect. The media was was just soaked in oil and a few specks of [censored] was caught. Not a sign of sludge anywhere. I topped up oil and have felt fine going forward with Synlube being left in engine.
I wish I would have kept better records of the costs so far. The initial purchase of synlube is quite expensive at $32/qt and the add-in is also I think $20/qt. No matter how careful one is though, one will always lose quite a bit of oil when changing a filter. I think my saturn lost 1/2 qt that I had to replace and my Mazda lost about 1/4 qt. This means you are not actually keeping 100% same oil in car but are replenishing it a bit each year. This also means I am having to buy a $20/qt of add oil each year for my two cars. So this adds to the lifetime cost that is not really mentioned much when they talk of the cost savings at the website.
Also, despite my good dealings with Synlube and Miro himself over the years, I do have to say that some of the stuff I have discovered just reading this thread and others (revoked biz license, intersections as an address, etc) disturb me a bit. I am not confident that god forbid something should happen to one of my engines related 100% to lubrication (or both, to which I will just shoot myself for being so dumb) that I would get full support from Synlube as well as be able to receive warranty claim from them as they promise. So one really is playing roulette I suppose but then again, how is it any different than had there been damage from Schaffers or Amsoil? Also, would Shell pay for new engine if one of their oils was at fault? They'd middle finger you and say "prove it".
All in all, I am fine with Synlube for now. Many seem so skeptical of its claims for long life but I don't ever remember so much doubt when manufacturers started to use 100k antifreeze or 100k spark plugs and now even 80k+ auto trans fluid. Why is it that the masses here in USA seem so protective of dino + 3-4k oil changes? Europe has long since been 10k+ changes with "synthetic" (group III).
Thanks for reading.
Amen, Thanks for all the information,..and being honest about what really happened with the murano. Glad to see you are still using synlube.
I am now pushing 10 years with this lubricant. 65k on two different cars,and about 6 years each was my longest run so far. No issues at all,engines were awesome in both. Traded both in,96 buick,95 pontiac. Buick had transmission issues. Pontiac had the intake manifold gasket issue. It was time new, and they both have the lube-4-life in them. Got the oil credit as well.
2008 Jeep 4.7 // 2009 v6 mustang// 2001.5 vw 1.8t// All doing great!! lawn mower and other equipment as well are lubed up with it.