Wal-Mart Synthetic Blend Oil Change?

[mich_132003]

quote:Originally posted by robinjoe

I have a friend who swears by (not at) Walmart for his oil changes. I went in this Wednesday morning before work my first time for a synth blend oil change. There was no line, and they were done in about 20 minutes.

BUT--- When I went out to get my car, I noticed a stream of brand new oil leaving a trail from the garage to a puddle under my car!!! They were very apologetic, got an extra quart and put it in for the drive back in to the garage, and re-filled it.

They claimed that the problem was a defective oil filter. Has anyone ever heard of this before? The stream of oil was thick, and I would estimate that the entire 5 quarts was drained in less than 5 minutes (including up to 1 minute of driving).

I wonder if they left the filter off entirely. But wouldn't it all have drained out before they even got it out of the garage? An other possibility might be that they didn't screw it on straight.

They said it pretty much just dropped straight out of the engine, and that it didn't spray around on the engine. I told them to make sure to clean any spillage off the engine.

I'm not sure if I'll go back. My friend has never had a problem with Walmart though.

That's the problem with the inexpensive oil change garages. They generally use inferior oil filters and yes, oil filters have been known to be defective and cause the problem you described.

I also would recommend full synthetic oil for the turbo. Mobil 1 is generally considered the #1 syn on the market.

[026TB4U]

the oiul filter may have been fine they might not have removed the old o ring it may have come off the old filter. I have done this with the same result

[CREWZIN]

I agree 100% with 026TB4U. I've changed my own oil for countless years on all my cars and on one occasion on a car that it was hard to see where the oil filter was,(Saturn) I got the filter off and it left the old ring from the top of the filter stuck in place. The new filter can and will go on normally and tighten up, but the pressure after starting the car up will force oil out between the old and new ring. Your problem was either that, or they forgot to give the filter and extra half turn with a wrench after they put it on by hand.

[THier]

Blends still have dino oil in them, and for the turbo, this may be a "problem". I have been a wrench all my life, did it for 13years as a profession, and for turbo cars I believe synths are the best bet. They are less likely to fry in the turbo, you can stretch the intervals, I go about 5-6000 between changes. BUT use a quality filter, if you pay $1.99 for a filter what do you think you are getting. FRAM filters are junk, but they do have a great advertising campaign. WIX, Purolator & AC Delco are my first choices. I have read MOPAR filters are now made by FRAM but I can't confirm this. Do some searches on oil filters and read up on them, independant sources only, are your best bet.

Now let me say this, I had a 700hp small block in a race Jeep, I used dino oil in it, but it was not a turbo, and because I ran Alky I changed oil after each weekend. You don't have to use synths in a turbo car, but it is well worthit in my own opinion.
Tom

[crazyjoe]

quote:Originally posted by CREWZIN



I agree 100% with 026TB4U. I've changed my own oil for countless years on all my cars and on one occasion on a car that it was hard to see where the oil filter was,(Saturn) I got the filter off and it left the old ring from the top of the filter stuck in place. The new filter can and will go on normally and tighten up, but the pressure after starting the car up will force oil out between the old and new ring. Your problem was either that, or they forgot to give the filter and extra half turn with a wrench after they put it on by hand.

No No NO!!!

Never use a wrench to put on an oil filter, unless you have arthritic hands or don't eat your wheaties. Oil filters should be spun on until the gasket makes contact, and then another 3/4 turn after that. It is EASY to do by hand, and should never require a wrench. I have done them this way all my driving life (14 years and counting) and have never had oil leak out or the filter fall off, and you don't stress the threads or overtighten it to where you need a big wrench to get it off.

With the advent of filter wrenches, everyone and their brothjer thinks they are for putting the filters on, and they are really for taking them off after some fool tightens the filter to 75 lbs-ft and then solders it on.

[Jimbo]

I have always changed my own oil. Just like doing it
and I don't trust anybody else.I use Mobil 1 witha K&N
filter.The Cruiser's are the easiest car I have ever
seen to change oil in. I just started using Mobil 1
since I got my turbo. I used to change it every 1500
so now I go to 3000. So it cost me about the same as before
for the good stuff.I don't use a wrench to tighten. I ues crazyjoes
method.Never had a problem.

[robinjoe]

THier didn't say he uses a wrench, he said he "has been a wrench", which I suppose means he has been a mechanic for 13 years.

Joe

[THier]

quote:Originally posted by robinjoe

THier didn't say he uses a wrench, he said he "has been a wrench", which I suppose means he has been a mechanic for 13 years.

Joe

You got it[|)] Funny I really used to like turning wrenches, untill I started doing it for a living, then couldn't stand the sight of them, but know being out of it for about seven years, kind of like doing it again.
Tom

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by amazingarthur

Thanks for reviving my topic.

I am happy with the Wal-Mart change. Can't beat that price!

Is a blend ok? Or should I cough it up for full synthetic?

Thanks

The problem with a blend, is it doesn't say what % of synthetic you get - 5%? 10%? I go the money for full syntheic, then I know.

[Kirby]

The really great thing about synthetic is its ability to lubricate under high temps and stress; whatever the slime oil that is mixed with the real thing, it turns to poison when introduced to the high pressures and temps of turbocharging.

How much sludge do you want to add with each oil change?

I'll take mine straight up thank you.[8)]