joey.k

hey guys. Quick question today. I own a 1988 corvette convertible and it has been running on regular oil. I was just wondering if it is ok to start using synthetic oil when I do my oil changes and if so what are the advantages and disadvantages if any???? thanks. Joey.k

amtronic1

I also have an '88, with 200k, and I was told in no uncertain terms to not change to a synthetic now. If I had been using one like Mobil 1 from the beginning that would have been fine, but with 25 years plus on regular oil that I would have nothing but leaks to deal with now.

joey.k

thanks for the advice buddy.

jv9999

You can switch if you want. If the dino oil was changed regularly, synthetic is not going to make it suddenly start leaking. It's an old wives tale based on the assumption that synthetic will clean out the sludge that is blocking leaks now. Good dino oils have just as good detergent packages and you shouldn't have much sludge anyway.

Still reluctant? Call Mobil's tech line.

65Z01

Synthetic oil is more about being less prone to molecular breakdown than dino oils.

My prior '88 came with 96k on the clock started using Quaker State full synthetic and accumulated over 200k miles before the car was hit and totalled.

My current '88 came with 45k on the clock and using QS full syn at oil changes.

joey.k

thanks

joey.k

thank you.

DinoBob

My '86 received an oil change with Mobil 1 last fall shortly after I got the car. 10/30. Shortly thereafter I began to notice the classic valve guide "puff" of smoke when starting a warm engine after sitting for a while. My next oil change, I tried Quaker State Defy conventional with added zinc. The puff has completely disappeared.

BstrdC4

Puff of burnt oil on start up is bad valve seals. Zinc is masking it. But doesn't fix it.

DinoBob

More likely the conditioners in the oil than the zinc. But that's OK. It's not puffing, it uses no oil to speak of (and did not when the synthetic was in), and it runs great. Mobil 1 was not the recommended oil until years later, by the way. If the problem recurs I will address it then.

Cruizin

There are high mileage synthetic oils designed for your application that have seal conditioners as part of their makeup.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...age_5W-30.aspx

http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...ge-motor-oil/2

Both claim to prevent oil leaks in high mileage engines.