All of my P80 cars get switched to Rotella T6 5W-40 when I buy them, regardless of mileage.
Oh, but first I fix the PCV. I basically won't drive one with a bad PCV, unless I really must.
Opinions on using full synthetic oil in a high milage engine Topic is solved
- erikv11
- Posts: 11800
- Joined: 25 July 2009
- Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
- Location: Iowa
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Re: Opinions on using full synthetic oil in a high milage engine
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6
153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k
- dyn blin
- Posts: 177
- Joined: 1 November 2015
- Year and Model: 1997 850 Wgn
- Location: Sonoma Co, CA
- Has thanked: 1 time
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We've switched to synthetic formulations at this house for every one of the last 5 "acquisitions", turbo or naturally aspirated, & almost all with over 100k on the odometer. Most synthetic formulations have an option for "high mileage" engines that contain targeted detergents and seal conditioners. Although these won't reverse the worst prior neglect, they will often reduce leaks and oil consumption.
For anything with a turbo, I personally wouldn't keep a non-synthetic in the rotation. Synthetic formulations' resistance to heat, mechanical shearing, coking and its filming qualities make it a easy choice for those engines.
One thing I've personally noticed is that during the initial switch over- the detergents in all synthetics will loosen sludge accumulations. I make the first change at 1500 miles and cut open the filter to see what's accumulating. If it's substantial, I'll make the 2nd change at 2500 more. After that point, it always appears to normalize and I move on to a "normal" OCI.
Make that PCV service at the top of the priority list.
For anything with a turbo, I personally wouldn't keep a non-synthetic in the rotation. Synthetic formulations' resistance to heat, mechanical shearing, coking and its filming qualities make it a easy choice for those engines.
One thing I've personally noticed is that during the initial switch over- the detergents in all synthetics will loosen sludge accumulations. I make the first change at 1500 miles and cut open the filter to see what's accumulating. If it's substantial, I'll make the 2nd change at 2500 more. After that point, it always appears to normalize and I move on to a "normal" OCI.
Make that PCV service at the top of the priority list.
'97 850 GLT Wagon- Driving to see 300k in the rearview
-
tryingbe
- Posts: 1893
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- Year and Model: None
- Location: Mesa, AZ, USA
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I used Blackstone Labs to analyze my used oil, only real way to tell if the oil is still good. I use AMSoil OE synthetic, I get it for less than $4.5 a quart.


85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg
00 Insight, 72 mpg
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
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Ive been pre-running my oil in superior German steel to leach the German steel molecules and have them stick to the Swedish bearings and lengthen life.
Thats what I read to do on the Internet and Im sticking with it.
Thats what I read to do on the Internet and Im sticking with it.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- dyn blin
- Posts: 177
- Joined: 1 November 2015
- Year and Model: 1997 850 Wgn
- Location: Sonoma Co, CA
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Ah, the venerable Henway Process.abscate wrote:Ive been pre-running my oil in superior German steel to leach the German steel molecules and have them stick to the Swedish bearings and lengthen life.
Thats what I read to do on the Internet and Im sticking with it.
'97 850 GLT Wagon- Driving to see 300k in the rearview
-
Sommerfeldt
- Posts: 1148
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- Year and Model: 2018 S90 T8
- Location: Oslo Area, Norway
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For a small fee, you can send your oil to me during the winter, and I will place it in real, arctic conditions for up to 48 hours. This will allow for a much more sub-zero accepting engine, since those are the conditions that Volvos are built in. PM me for a very reasonable quote.abscate wrote:Ive been pre-running my oil in superior German steel to leach the German steel molecules and have them stick to the Swedish bearings and lengthen life.
Thats what I read to do on the Internet and Im sticking with it.
- S
2018 S90 T8 Inscription - glossy black with amber interior and dark as night rear windows.
[Gone] '96 855 T5 - R bumper and spoiler, Koni Yellows & blue H&R springs all 'round.
[Sold] '97 S70 T5
[Gone] '95 855 T5-R - one of the black ones... sadly stolen and wrecked.
[Gone] '96 855 T5 - R bumper and spoiler, Koni Yellows & blue H&R springs all 'round.
[Sold] '97 S70 T5
[Gone] '95 855 T5-R - one of the black ones... sadly stolen and wrecked.
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polskamafia mjl
- Posts: 2640
- Joined: 1 April 2009
- Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
- Location: Hershey, PA
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How do you mail yours out? I have a sample waiting to go I just haven't gotten around to sending it. Do you just put it in a box from the post office?tryingbe wrote:I used Blackstone Labs...
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants
Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled
Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled
-
tryingbe
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: 18 June 2009
- Year and Model: None
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- Has thanked: 1 time
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polskamafia mjl wrote:How do you mail yours out? I have a sample waiting to go I just haven't gotten around to sending it. Do you just put it in a box from the post office?tryingbe wrote:I used Blackstone Labs...
You fill out the form and they'll mail you a kit for free.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php
85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg
00 Insight, 72 mpg
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polskamafia mjl
- Posts: 2640
- Joined: 1 April 2009
- Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
- Location: Hershey, PA
- Has thanked: 19 times
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Sorry, I should have been more clear. I've already gotten to that point, I have the plastic container filled up and everything.
I just need to know how to mail this:
Will the post office let me slap a stamp on that and mail it?
I just need to know how to mail this:
Will the post office let me slap a stamp on that and mail it?
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants
Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled
Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled
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