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1/19/2026 3:35:10 PM EDT
[#1]
I’ll reply in a bit.  Got drunk last night. And actually had to work & travel today.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
1/19/2026 3:59:41 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FlashMan-7k:

From the video, that seems less like a hybrid problem, and more like a "they were stupid enough to make the engine start-stop in driving conditions" problem.
View Quote
Yeah since the first Prius Toyota has made over 30 million hybrids.  They just haven't figured them out yet. You can't drive through any major city without seeing 6 or 10 on the side of the road broken down.
1/19/2026 7:38:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu:
Yeah since the first Prius Toyota has made over 30 million hybrids.  They just haven't figured them out yet. You can't drive through any major city without seeing 6 or 10 on the side of the road broken down.
View Quote

We must be lucky, wife has had 2 Camry hybrids, both over 120,000, and now a Rav4 hybrid.  Fantastic vehicles but they drive at least 10 miles when started, usually 40
1/19/2026 8:35:19 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By urbankaos04:
@Foxtrot08

What do you think about Mobil 1’s hybrid specific oil? Supposedly the formulation addresses the issue of hybrid engines not getting hot enough to burn off moisture that can build up in the engine due to lower operating temps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eC5FFoCq4s
View Quote



Overall, I feel like this is more “marketing” than reality. The dwell time isn’t enough for water to really drop out and additives to keep it dropped won’t really work.

Having added R&O additives are something you could do. But it’s not a big difference. And you’re fighting for space on surface area.

So over all it’s sorta… eh?  I guess?  But nothing I can tell from a product data sheet or UOA.  I don’t know there’s enough “need” as 0w16 / 0w8 formulations are already basically “hybrid” formulations. So I think they just slapped that on a GF6 / GF7 B oil and shipped it.

There’s some things you can swap around that *may* be beneficial, but it’s a stretch.

I’d rather see a hydroscopic filter to grab the moisture.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
1/19/2026 8:37:19 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Gator96:
Just had a shop do a cam swap and dod delete on my 2017 L83 5.3L. I only ran Mobil 1 0W-20 through it stock. They put Lucas hot rod and classic conventional in it and said change after 1k miles. Said use 5W-30 here on out. IDK.  Another guy said use 15W-30 for another 1k miles with Lucas oil treatment replacing a quart for another 1k miles then go to 5W-30. Seems dumb. Why not go straight back to regular oil changes after 1k miles? Just a stage 1 cam and headers.
View Quote



Just go with 5w30.

That’s my .02 on it.   Lucas oil stabilize is a scam. It’s straight 50w.

So pick your favorite 5w30 and go with it.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
1/19/2026 8:38:29 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By dirtyboy:

We must be lucky, wife has had 2 Camry hybrids, both over 120,000, and now a Rav4 hybrid.  Fantastic vehicles but they drive at least 10 miles when started, usually 40
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By dirtyboy:
Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu:
Yeah since the first Prius Toyota has made over 30 million hybrids.  They just haven't figured them out yet. You can't drive through any major city without seeing 6 or 10 on the side of the road broken down.

We must be lucky, wife has had 2 Camry hybrids, both over 120,000, and now a Rav4 hybrid.  Fantastic vehicles but they drive at least 10 miles when started, usually 40


I think he was being sarcastic.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
1/19/2026 10:32:03 PM EDT
[#7]
I recently picked up a 1987 Lincoln SA 200 welding machine.  I have zero information on what oil is in it, or how it has been maintained.  It runs and welds like a top.  I'd like to change the oil.  From the internet, it looks like I can use anything from 30wt to 15-40.  

What's your suggestion?  I was thinking of going with supertech 10w 30?  I'm on the Texas Gulf Coast, so 30* is about as cold as it gets.
1/19/2026 10:35:09 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



Just go with 5w30.

That’s my .02 on it.   Lucas oil stabilize is a scam. It’s straight 50w.

So pick your favorite 5w30 and go with it.
View Quote



That's what I was leaning towards. Thanks.
1/19/2026 10:53:34 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Eat_Beef:
I recently picked up a 1987 Lincoln SA 200 welding machine.  I have zero information on what oil is in it, or how it has been maintained.  It runs and welds like a top.  I'd like to change the oil.  From the internet, it looks like I can use anything from 30wt to 15-40.  

What's your suggestion?  I was thinking of going with supertech 10w 30?  I'm on the Texas Gulf Coast, so 30* is about as cold as it gets.
View Quote



Is it gas or diesel?

I’m guessing gas. So either 10w30 or 15w40 would be fine.  Given gulf coast, you could just default to 15w40.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
1/19/2026 11:40:10 PM EDT
[#10]
Yes, gas.  Thanks.
1/20/2026 2:31:28 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



Overall, I feel like this is more “marketing” than reality. The dwell time isn’t enough for water to really drop out and additives to keep it dropped won’t really work.

Having added R&O additives are something you could do. But it’s not a big difference. And you’re fighting for space on surface area.

So over all it’s sorta… eh?  I guess?  But nothing I can tell from a product data sheet or UOA.  I don’t know there’s enough “need” as 0w16 / 0w8 formulations are already basically “hybrid” formulations. So I think they just slapped that on a GF6 / GF7 B oil and shipped it.

There’s some things you can swap around that *may* be beneficial, but it’s a stretch.

I’d rather see a hydroscopic filter to grab the moisture.
View Quote


Sounds like Ill just stick to the 0w-20 Penzoil Ultra Plantinum I am using for my 2022 Hybrid Accord.

Thanks for the response.
Change is the only constant. - Heractilus
2/5/2026 3:12:09 PM EDT
[#12]
Do you have access to data sheets from Mobil that are possibly more detailed than an MSDS?

We are testing multiple sensors that get wetted by a Mobil product.  The sensors should be able to survive.  Even off the shelf designed for purpose sensors have died.  This specific oil is murdering them.
2/5/2026 3:21:08 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Into_the_Void:
Do you have access to data sheets from Mobil that are possibly more detailed than an MSDS?

We are testing multiple sensors that get wetted by a Mobil product.  The sensors should be able to survive.  Even off the shelf designed for purpose sensors have died.  This specific oil is murdering them.
View Quote



Not Mobil unfortunately.

Like the plastic is melting? What product is it?
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
2/5/2026 7:08:23 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



Not Mobil unfortunately.

Like the plastic is melting? What product is it?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:
Originally Posted By Into_the_Void:
Do you have access to data sheets from Mobil that are possibly more detailed than an MSDS?

We are testing multiple sensors that get wetted by a Mobil product.  The sensors should be able to survive.  Even off the shelf designed for purpose sensors have died.  This specific oil is murdering them.



Not Mobil unfortunately.

Like the plastic is melting? What product is it?


PM inbound
2/7/2026 5:43:43 PM EDT
[#15]
I think @Foxtrot mentioned his preferred oil analysis service but I can't find it. I know Blackstone exists but I thought he mentioned another. Anyone remember?
I'd leave immediately. Sometimes Muslim people just fucking blow up.

It's amazing how far stupidity and determination can take you in life.
2/16/2026 12:49:36 AM EDT
[#16]
I recently bought a used bmw  with the 4.4 twin turbo v8 and it calls for 0w40 synthetic. I have ton of mobile one 0w40 super car.

I’m sure it would be fine but I don’t want to void the warranty. Is this oil compatible with the bmw x5 m50i?
2/21/2026 9:05:55 AM EDT
[#17]
Interesting


What Was REALLY Inside Dale Earnhardt’s Engine...

when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness
2/21/2026 9:36:35 PM EDT
[#18]
Any thoughts on the new Mobil 1 Advanced Clean, as a direct competitor to Valvoline Restore and Protect?  


The Mobil 1 product is substantially more expensive at the retail level.
2/21/2026 9:40:08 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By zlman:
I think @Foxtrot mentioned his preferred oil analysis service but I can't find it. I know Blackstone exists but I thought he mentioned another. Anyone remember?
View Quote



Most professional users have industrial labs that aren’t available to the public.  

90% of the general end user sends oil to Blackstone, Speed Diagnostics, or Oil Analyzers.  

It depends on what all you want to test for and your budget. There are generally add ons like particle count and similar.
2/21/2026 9:43:38 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Originally Posted By zlman:
I think @Foxtrot mentioned his preferred oil analysis service but I can't find it. I know Blackstone exists but I thought he mentioned another. Anyone remember?
View Quote



SpeedDiagnostics is another one.

We use predictive maintenance https://www.theoillab.com


Eurofins is another one - https://testoil.com

They’re local to us, we also use them.


The big industrial ones are ALS and Polaris labs.  They do all the huge volume oil testing. Whether its Kendall / Citgo / Chevron / Etc. They’re oil analysis programs go through ALS or Polaris.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
2/21/2026 9:45:00 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FedDC:
Any thoughts on the new Mobil 1 Advanced Clean, as a direct competitor to Valvoline Restore and Protect?  


The Mobil 1 product is substantially more expensive at the retail level.
View Quote



Valvoline is hitting the PCMO market extremely hard. Especially pricing wise. They have the big Saudi money behind them.

I don’t think the Mobil 1 product has been around long enough to really make any decisions on it yet, being honest.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
2/21/2026 9:51:37 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Originally Posted By UncleRemis:
I recently bought a used bmw  with the 4.4 twin turbo v8 and it calls for 0w40 synthetic. I have ton of mobile one 0w40 super car.

I’m sure it would be fine but I don’t want to void the warranty. Is this oil compatible with the bmw x5 m50i?
View Quote


So, on paper - no. It’s not.   It’s *only* DexosR / API SP.  

It carries no other specifications. Not even ILSAC.   Because it’s designed and blended only for GM engines.  

So on paper, it would void the warranty by not being BMW LL-01 or carry any BMW spec.  


I’m with you, it will probably be fine. But since it on paper, carries no other specs. It is what it is.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
2/21/2026 9:53:25 PM EDT
[#23]
I use the purple bottle every few fill ups in my turbo volvo. It does sa PEA for ingredients.
2/22/2026 2:38:23 PM EDT
[#24]
I don't use anything but the best in my equipment.  Union Carbide or Bust .    Found these going through my Dad's things.     Probably needs to be sent off to Blackstone for testing.

Attached File
Attached File

2/25/2026 9:54:27 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Detached:
I don't use anything but the best in my equipment.  Union Carbide or Bust .    Found these going through my Dad's things.     Probably needs to be sent off to Blackstone for testing.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/167306/IMG_20260222_122401291_HDR_jpg-3717780.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/167306/IMG_20260222_122410312_MF_PORTRAIT_jpg-3717781.JPG
View Quote


Wow! I never knew they made that, and my father worked for them, so we had all kinds of Carbide stuff around the house.
Don't confuse where I live with where I'm from.
2/26/2026 11:21:17 AM EDT
[#26]
I did something I never thought I would do.  I have a 3.5 Eco Boost...a 22 model that shouldn't have cam phaser issues.  It has a maintenance plan from Ford, oil changes and similar.  Been using it and they are the only ones to change the oil for the life of the motor.  It was changed with Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5.30 and a Motorcraft filter since new.  


It always had a small bit of rattle on startup that was diagnosed as the oil pressure actuated cam phasers.  


There is long history on that causing problems and Ford supposedly fixed it in 21 with a design that retained oil better.  


I somewhat suspected that I could potentially address it with a filter that had a robust anti-drainback valve and a fully synthetic oil that was a bit better.  I know...this is not a solution to a mechanical problem.  It is a design flaw...not an oil flaw.  


That said, I gave in to curiosity and am going to try the Restore and Protect with a Korean Mobil 1 filter that I verified has a 100% functioning anti-drainback valve.  Changed it myself to make sure there was no doubt.  Will run it for 5K and see how it goes.  Might send a sample to Blackstone.  


Anecdotally, the rattle is about 80% less...and often doesn't happen at all.  It was only at the first statup of the day before.  Now, it often isn't there at all.  


We shall see...Its not an oil problem...but it is an oil pressure problem on startup.
3/2/2026 5:33:14 PM EDT
[#27]
Foxtrot08 this thread has been a bunch of fun
Thank You

Do you know of any gas brand or refinery that is more dense than others.  

Back when Boeing was setting some distance records with the 777 the flight planners went to some effort to get the most weight of fuel into the volume of tank in the airplane.  More pounds per gallon = more MPG

I'm looking at doing some distance driving and thinking that some extra miles per tank full might be nice .  The car needs premium.



3/2/2026 5:34:37 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote History
Originally Posted By PA22-400:
Foxtrot08 this thread has been a bunch of fun
Thank You

Do you know of any gas brand or refinery that is more dense than others.  

Back when Boeing was setting some distance records with the 777 the flight planners went to some effort to get the most weight of fuel into the volume of tank in the airplane.  More pounds per gallon = more MPG

I'm looking at doing some distance driving and thinking that some extra miles per tank full might be nice .  The car needs premium.



View Quote


It would all depend on the de-waxing process and who had the their turn around the most recently.

But TL;DR. No I do not.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/2/2026 5:53:29 PM EDT
[#29]
Any thoughts on supercharger oils?


All I know is the stuff I drained made the shop smell like some unwashed dirty hippy butthole for about 2 days. It's was bad. Could smell it outside the shop.
3/2/2026 6:36:54 PM EDT
[#30]
I used to change my 2014 5.0 Mustang's oil whenever the computer said, however I don't drive it much anymore.  

Is there a time & mile guideline that can be used that's longer than what the car wants?  Should I switch to full synthetic if I want to play around with longer intervals?  

I'm currently at 2 years and 2k miles on Motorcraft's 50/50 blend.
3/2/2026 9:22:58 PM EDT
[#31]
Why the hell is 4T 10w60 so dang expensive? It is what is called for for my Moto Guzzi air cooled V twin. It has a separate gear box, and dry clutch, so it just lubes the engine.
World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
3/3/2026 12:06:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GlutealCleft][Edited] [#32]
Quote History
Originally Posted By lorazepam:
Why the hell is 4T 10w60 so dang expensive? It is what is called for for my Moto Guzzi air cooled V twin. It has a separate gear box, and dry clutch, so it just lubes the engine.
View Quote


Probably because not widely used.  Same reason the 15W-60 for my ride is expensive.
3/3/2026 12:12:01 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Deerhurst:
Any thoughts on supercharger oils?


All I know is the stuff I drained made the shop smell like some unwashed dirty hippy butthole for about 2 days. It's was bad. Could smell it outside the shop.
View Quote


It’s “close” to full synthetic gear oil. Not like a GL5 automotive gear oil. But closer to a full synthetic industrial gear oil.   So once it’s pretty well baked… yeah it will smell like ass.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/3/2026 12:13:33 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote History
Originally Posted By zbrane:
I used to change my 2014 5.0 Mustang's oil whenever the computer said, however I don't drive it much anymore.  

Is there a time & mile guideline that can be used that's longer than what the car wants?  Should I switch to full synthetic if I want to play around with longer intervals?  

I'm currently at 2 years and 2k miles on Motorcraft's 50/50 blend.
View Quote



General advice is yearly oil changes.  Mostly because once oxidation starts, it doesn’t particularly stop.  Plus the acid build up from the fuel, etc.


But that being said. I have some antique equipment that I have a few years on. Because they only get run 4-5 hours a year.  

But officially.  Once a year is the advice.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/3/2026 12:16:10 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote History
Originally Posted By lorazepam:
Why the hell is 4T 10w60 so dang expensive? It is what is called for for my Moto Guzzi air cooled V twin. It has a separate gear box, and dry clutch, so it just lubes the engine.
View Quote



Gucci low production, custom formulation, put into a Gucci package.  

A 10w60 is going to naturally be a heavily PAO & ester formulation. Which is going to punt it up into the $20 a gallon price range just to blend.  

Add in an expensive additive package for it to be 4T.  

Add in very low production levels.  

Then add in packaging and shipping costs of a boutique product.  Which is probably more than the cost of the product.

And then retailers get to add their 40-50% on top of it.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/3/2026 8:11:48 PM EDT
[#36]
The 500k oil thread got me thinking about a video that popped up on YT recently, The video basically called synthetic manufacturers liars for calling their synthetics...synthetics, when really they are not. It said they weren't PAO's, so they lie. Castrol was the worst offender. I didn't watch it all, sounded pretty sketchy.
3/3/2026 10:06:00 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



Gucci low production, custom formulation, put into a Gucci package.  

A 10w60 is going to naturally be a heavily PAO & ester formulation. Which is going to punt it up into the $20 a gallon price range just to blend.  

Add in an expensive additive package for it to be 4T.  

Add in very low production levels.  

Then add in packaging and shipping costs of a boutique product.  Which is probably more than the cost of the product.

And then retailers get to add their 40-50% on top of it.
View Quote

It's a frigging tractor motor.
World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
3/3/2026 10:26:21 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Foxtrot08][Edited] [#38]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ReConnie:
The 500k oil thread got me thinking about a video that popped up on YT recently, The video basically called synthetic manufacturers liars for calling their synthetics...synthetics, when really they are not. It said they weren't PAO's, so they lie. Castrol was the worst offender. I didn't watch it all, sounded pretty sketchy.
View Quote



So Castrol / BP and XOM (Mobil) had a lawsuit over this, I believe in 1999. But don’t quote me on that. Sometime in the 90s.


Mobil, claimed that BP’s use of group 3 base oils wasn’t “synthetic.”

TL;DR -

The court ruled, that “synthetic” is a marketing term.  Because, it’s all man made.  


Primarily because the SAE refused to step into the debate. And stepped all definitions out of their guidelines.

The STLE, which I’m a member of, defines synthetics as man-made compounds, not naturally occurring, and that combining low-molecular-weight materials via chemical reaction into higher-molecular-weight structures makes these products.

So, by that technical term. Yes. Group 3s are no where near naturally occurring. And require a chemical reaction to make.

So do PAOs and Esters.


The other problem, is the API wrote themselves into a corner with the 5 base oil groups.  By making group 3s different than group 2s.  And group 4s only PAOs. Then lumping everything else into group 5s. There’s no where to really go with technically different products. They just get lumped in.




There are both positive arguments for group 3s. And also PAOs.

In Europe, it’s primarily a PAO driven market because they still have different “grades” of oils.  And the only way to hit the highest “grade” is with PAOs, essentially.

Until recently, you couldn’t hit a lot of European specs without PAOs even.  But with GTL group 3 base oils and advanced group 3s coming from other sources, you can.


Another TL;DR - the industry does a really bad job at explaining all this shit.


Things are advancing all the time. Formulations are constantly changing. Base oils are constantly changing. Additive packages are constantly changing.

But 99.995% of people would never know. It’s even a lot for me to keep up with, and this is literally what I do as a job, full time.  

Today’s group 3 products would blow the doors off the 90’s PAO synthetics.  

It’s just a change.  


But, today’s PAO / Ester / AN blends - the super boutique stuff - are nutty. Like, I ran redline euro 5w30 in my raptor for over 18,000 miles.  And it was just dirty from dust. Viscosity was fine. Oxidation was fine.  But my filter literally was at capacity.


However.  $300 oil change vs $30 oil change.

You could change your oil 5x more.  And still save money.

The only real argument for super synthetics are specialized applications. Wind turbine gear boxes.  Industrial air compression. Modern worm gear boxes.  Stuff that runs tens of thousands of hours. Or is a major pain to change oil out.

In a car?

Change your oil. Use whatever brand you like, in the proper viscosity.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/3/2026 11:55:23 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



So Castrol / BP and XOM (Mobil) had a lawsuit over this, I believe in 1999. But don’t quote me on that. Sometime in the 90s.


Mobil, claimed that BP’s use of group 3 base oils wasn’t “synthetic.”

TL;DR -

The court ruled, that “synthetic” is a marketing term.  Because, it’s all man made.  


Primarily because the SAE refused to step into the debate. And stepped all definitions out of their guidelines.

The STLE, which I’m a member of, defines synthetics as man-made compounds, not naturally occurring, and that combining low-molecular-weight materials via chemical reaction into higher-molecular-weight structures makes these products.

So, by that technical term. Yes. Group 3s are no where near naturally occurring. And require a chemical reaction to make.

So do PAOs and Esters.


The other problem, is the API wrote themselves into a corner with the 5 base oil groups.  By making group 3s different than group 2s.  And group 4s only PAOs. Then lumping everything else into group 5s. There’s no where to really go with technically different products. They just get lumped in.




There are both positive arguments for group 3s. And also PAOs.

In Europe, it’s primarily a PAO driven market because they still have different “grades” of oils.  And the only way to hit the highest “grade” is with PAOs, essentially.

Until recently, you couldn’t hit a lot of European specs without PAOs even.  But with GTL group 3 base oils and advanced group 3s coming from other sources, you can.


Another TL;DR - the industry does a really bad job at explaining all this shit.


Things are advancing all the time. Formulations are constantly changing. Base oils are constantly changing. Additive packages are constantly changing.

But 99.995% of people would never know. It’s even a lot for me to keep up with, and this is literally what I do as a job, full time.  

Today’s group 3 products would blow the doors off the 90’s PAO synthetics.  

It’s just a change.  


But, today’s PAO / Ester / AN blends - the super boutique stuff - are nutty. Like, I ran redline euro 5w30 in my raptor for over 18,000 miles.  And it was just dirty from dust. Viscosity was fine. Oxidation was fine.  But my filter literally was at capacity.


However.  $300 oil change vs $30 oil change.

You could change your oil 5x more.  And still save money.

The only real argument for super synthetics are specialized applications. Wind turbine gear boxes.  Industrial air compression. Modern worm gear boxes.  Stuff that runs tens of thousands of hours. Or is a major pain to change oil out.

In a car?

Change your oil. Use whatever brand you like, in the proper viscosity.
View Quote


The video mentioned the lawsuit. I find what you wrote fascinating and helpful. Thx
3/4/2026 5:58:48 PM EDT
[Last Edit: First-World-Problems][Edited] [#40]
Would you happen to know if this would be ok to run in an old bobcat? It has a gas Wisconsin VH4D engine. People run All kinds of oil in them, and The only thing I can find is a few places said to use regular Dino oil only.

3/8/2026 7:00:38 PM EDT
[Last Edit: victorgonzales][Edited] [#41]
My  2005 Tahoe gets slight lifter tick at idle when the oil get about 3000 miles on it.  Mind you the wife sits and idles the thing 30-45 minutes per weekday waiting to pick the kid.up from school.    Oil life usually reads about 50% on the dash when this starts happening.    I use 5w30 full synthetic. When I change the oil it goes away.

My question is would a change in oil weight help this ?  It's never cold in Phoenix so cold start probably not an issue but would 40 weight be better for her sitting and idling in 115 degree temps? Or just keep changing the oil more often?  

Tahoe has 125k miles btw. The vehicle spends more time hot idle than actually driving probably.
¯\_(?)_/¯
3/8/2026 7:22:45 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote History
Originally Posted By victorgonzales:
My  2005 Tahoe gets slight lifter tick at idle when the oil get about 3000 miles on it.  Mind you the wife sits and idles the thing 30-45 minutes per weekday waiting to pick the kid.up from school.    Oil life usually reads about 50% on the dash when this starts happening.    I use 5w30 full synthetic. When I change the oil it goes away.

My question is would a change in oil weight help this ?  It's never cold in Phoenix so cold start probably not an issue but would 40 weight be better for her sitting and idling in 115 degree temps? Or just keep changing the oil more often?  

Tahoe has 125k miles btw. The vehicle spends more time hot idle than actually driving probably.
View Quote



I wonder if oil analysis would show fuel dilution causing that.  Maybe worth sending a sample to check.
3/8/2026 7:31:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: victorgonzales][Edited] [#43]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FedDC:



I wonder if oil analysis would show fuel dilution causing that.  Maybe worth sending a sample to check.
View Quote
If you bump the throttle it stops immediately once the oil pressure gets back up to 30.  I have read switching to 40 weight here in hot weather will keep the idle pressure around 30-35 in the summer on these old 5.3 motors so it would make sense for my situation to keep the pressure from dropping lower at constant hot idle

A test would probably help I suppose when I change it this week I could do that and see what's happening.  No idea what the 4-5 hours a week of hot idle is doing to the oil on top of the 3k miles of regular driving but the tick happens at hot.idlw like clockwork at around 3k
¯\_(?)_/¯
3/8/2026 8:47:22 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote History
Originally Posted By First-World-Problems:
Would you happen to know if this would be ok to run in an old bobcat? It has a gas Wisconsin VH4D engine. People run All kinds of oil in them, and The only thing I can find is a few places said to use regular Dino oil only.

https://i.imgur.com/Ghm4Ap0_d.webp?maxwidth=760&fidelity=grand
View Quote


Yes. It would be fine. Typically marine oils have a higher R&O content. And maybe a demulsifier for water.

But otherwise, good to go.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/8/2026 8:49:31 PM EDT
[#45]
Should you shake your oil jug before you pour it in?
3/8/2026 8:51:18 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote History
Originally Posted By JRambo:
Should you shake your oil jug before you pour it in?
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If additive has fallen out of suspension, then it’s not going to go back into suspension easily.

But if you want to, hey. Go for it. Kinda like clicking the tongs on the way to the grill. Gotta make sure they work.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/8/2026 8:59:58 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote History
Originally Posted By victorgonzales:
My  2005 Tahoe gets slight lifter tick at idle when the oil get about 3000 miles on it.  Mind you the wife sits and idles the thing 30-45 minutes per weekday waiting to pick the kid.up from school.    Oil life usually reads about 50% on the dash when this starts happening.    I use 5w30 full synthetic. When I change the oil it goes away.

My question is would a change in oil weight help this ?  It's never cold in Phoenix so cold start probably not an issue but would 40 weight be better for her sitting and idling in 115 degree temps? Or just keep changing the oil more often?  

Tahoe has 125k miles btw. The vehicle spends more time hot idle than actually driving probably.
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Partner, does your 50% usually occur over 6 months on the oil?
3/8/2026 9:15:54 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote History
Originally Posted By victorgonzales:
My  2005 Tahoe gets slight lifter tick at idle when the oil get about 3000 miles on it.  Mind you the wife sits and idles the thing 30-45 minutes per weekday waiting to pick the kid.up from school.    Oil life usually reads about 50% on the dash when this starts happening.    I use 5w30 full synthetic. When I change the oil it goes away.

My question is would a change in oil weight help this ?  It's never cold in Phoenix so cold start probably not an issue but would 40 weight be better for her sitting and idling in 115 degree temps? Or just keep changing the oil more often?  

Tahoe has 125k miles btw. The vehicle spends more time hot idle than actually driving probably.
View Quote



There’s alot of mechanical reasons that could lead to the tapping.

As for the oil, it would have to be shearing substantially. But your oil monitor should take the idle time into account.  


That being said, an oil analysis would be a cheap way to tell if you’re getting fuel dilution,  or if the oil is shearing down. As that would be two reasons why the ticking begins.

Otherwise, it may be as simple as a worn out oil pump. That just isn’t pushing the right GPM at idle. Or maybe just a little bit of varnish build up on the lifters that’s leading to a little bit of interference ticking. Etc.
Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
3/8/2026 9:28:06 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote History
Originally Posted By lufthansa:


Partner, does your 50% usually occur over 6 months on the oil?
View Quote
Depends.  In the winter probably about that in the summer much sooner because I'm driving a lot more miles taking it up to my cabin.  But the 50% is pretty consistently around the 3000 mile mark and when I get lower oil pressure and ticking at idle sometimes
¯\_(?)_/¯
3/8/2026 9:36:37 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Foxtrot08:



There's alot of mechanical reasons that could lead to the tapping.

As for the oil, it would have to be shearing substantially. But your oil monitor should take the idle time into account.  


That being said, an oil analysis would be a cheap way to tell if you're getting fuel dilution,  or if the oil is shearing down. As that would be two reasons why the ticking begins.

Otherwise, it may be as simple as a worn out oil pump. That just isn't pushing the right GPM at idle. Or maybe just a little bit of varnish build up on the lifters that's leading to a little bit of interference ticking. Etc.
View Quote
Last time I let that think run near to 10 percent it was about 6k miles including the massive idle time.  I don't trust it at all.   Been just doing the normal 3k synthetic changes to account for the many hours of idle.      Just noticed the occasional ticking happens at about that time.  Idle oil pressure sits at about 20.  Tick stops if you give it a little gas and doesn't come back unless you're still idling for several minutes again.     So I kinda assumed the oil is thinning out and draining down faster than it's getting in there maybe.  Slight bump in pressure rewets everything and it goes away.  

¯\_(?)_/¯

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