I've been running Castrol in my Accord since I got it. The only time something else has probably been in it is the few times I've had the oil changed.

I've also opted to run 5W-30 just because of its wider operating temps.

So I was buying some oil the other day; and I was debating on whether or not to get the "High Mileage" Castrol this time around. I didn't and just got the regular stuff again.

I don't think I want to change to a full synthetic or even a partial at this point. I have around 200500 miles now.

Any input on the High Mileage Castrol???

 

Ive used it my accord(103,000) as well as my 240SX(107,000), in which the motor wasn't in the greatest shape, and I haven't had any negative effects to speak of.

 

"To speak of..." ???

 

Isn't the High Mileage Castrol supposed to be good for helping to prevent "oil burn off?"

 

Check out this web-site (click on forums link) www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

Good site and the Castrol HM seems to be a decent oil.

 

It's a gamble, especially if you have miniscule holes in your rings or seals that you'd otherwise never know about. The synthetic oil will 'clean out' the deposits that have clogged them and prevented oil from leaking and will cause a lot of oil burn off. I took the gamble at 165k miles. With regular dino oil I burned about a quart every 2k miles...switched to Castrol Syntec 5W-30, oil consumption went down to a quart every 3-4k miles. Now I'm with Mobil1 Full Synthetic and I'm down to about half a quart at 8k miles, which is pretty amazing. I'm not sure why there's such a difference but I think it has a lot to do with the inherent nature of VTEC engines, meaning they do burn the oil when pushed. I think my seals and rings must be in great shape but somehow my engine reacts better to the synthetic oil...I dunno, I've tried to figure it out and I have no idea. But for me the Mobil1 is worth it based purely on how much oil I was burning before.

 

Hmmmm. That IS interesting. I've just noticed over the past several months that my car has some oil burn off. Never did before.

The removal of the "clogging" gunk is precisely why I haven't switched oils before now; and it's why I have not done and probably will not do the Seafoam thing either. I'm afraid if I clean everything out, then I'll do just that and cause some more burn off or even some leakage I didn't have before and obviouisly don't want.

 

What kind of MPG are you getting? Unless you're experiencing any sort of symptoms related to carbon build up I probably wouldn't do Seafoam either...although taking off the intake manifold/TB and cleaning them by hand is pretty much a better way of what Seafoam will do.

As I'm sure you know, oil burning is normal for aging cars...I guess the question is whether it's due to worn gaskets/piston rings or whether it's due to some other reason that I have yet to think of that synthetic oil mysteriously fixes. I'm really clueless on it, and I mess with engines for a living so it surprises me that I cant figure it out Perhaps the dino oil in my engine was simply 'breaking down' and losing its lubrication qualities faster as my engine got older, and since synthetics are more resistant to losing their properties (esp in the cold) the Syntec and Mobil1 weren't as easy to evaporate in my crankcase? That's all I've got h:

 

I haven't re-checked my gas mileage since I cleaned out my EGR ports. I'll be checking it this afternoon or tomorrow AM when I fill up again for the week. I'll let you know.

I do know it seemed up until now, pre- EGR port cleaning, that my gas mileage had dropped off some... seemed to. Now, I've just about gotten through my first tank full since the cleaning, so I don't know if there is a change yet. I'm trying to feel it out gauging by the gas needle and mileage turned this week so far. No surprises, I'm not really sure yet. I'm just wondering if it isn't better or has gotten worse, if its that EGR port gasket that I need to go ahead and replace after all?...

I hear what you're saying about the oil. I just wonder if the regular Castrol 5W-30 I've been using is finally breaking down too much in my engine or if I just need something "thicker" or synthetic because of my car's ageing.