Oil change (insurance, auto, engine, price)

[steel7]

The last time i changed the oil on my 85 olds delta 88 was on 11-18-02 @ 116,800 miles. I currently have 117,300 miles. Thats only 500 miles since last oil change. The oil (valvoline 10-40) is clean & the car runs fine. Even though that oil has been in my engine/crankcase for 6 1/2 yrs my cousin whos a auto machanic (over 30 yrs) said its ok. Do you agree or disagree ? My car has always been under a carport & not sitting under the hot sun. The car has been on a nonop since 11-04 but i have barely driven it since 11-02.

[Omaha Rocks]

It's probably okay, but if it was my car I'd change the oil.

$25 is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

[johnfrisco]

What about the oil filter--do they deteriorate over time?

[cdelena]

The oil and filter do not really deteriorate but the engine and the oil will gain some water content from the air over time. For this reason many recommend the oil be changed every year and the car be driven enough to get it fully hot (thirty minutes or more) at least four times a year.

[M3 Mitch]

If the oil looks clean and OK, the only possible problem with it would be water absorption, which I am going to guess there in sunny CA is not a big problem.

In any case, a good freeway drive would clean the oil of water if there is any.

Frequent, nearly obsessive-compulsive oil changes really don't do anything for your engine. It's like changing your shirt - if it aint' dirty, it don't do any good.

[Captain Worley]

Change it. Cheap insurance.

[steel7]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

If the oil looks clean and OK, the only possible problem with it would be water absorption, which I am going to guess there in sunny CA is not a big problem.

In any case, a good freeway drive would clean the oil of water if there is any.

Frequent, nearly obsessive-compulsive oil changes really don't do anything for your engine. It's like changing your shirt - if it aint' dirty, it don't do any good.

Thats what my cousin told me. I have started the car now & then over the past 6 yrs. If it aint broke why fix it. I have always changed the oil every 3000 miles. The oil isnt dirty at all. It looks clean/fresh.

[johnfrisco]

Originally Posted by eagle7

Thats what my cousin told me. I have started the car now & then over the past 6 yrs. If it aint broke why fix it. I have always changed the oil every 3000 miles. The oil isnt dirty at all. It looks clean/fresh.

I wouldn't consider an oil change a fix. Why are you penny pinching?

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by johnfrisco

I wouldn't consider an oil change a fix. Why are you penny pinching?

Exactly John. Oil changes are done in order to prevent a necessary fix.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by eagle7

The last time i changed the oil on my 85 olds delta 88 was on 11-18-02 @ 116,800 miles. I currently have 117,300 miles. Thats only 500 miles since last oil change. The oil (valvoline 10-40) is clean & the car runs fine. Even though that oil has been in my engine/crankcase for 6 1/2 yrs my cousin whos a auto machanic (over 30 yrs) said its ok. Do you agree or disagree ? My car has always been under a carport & not sitting under the hot sun. The car has been on a nonop since 11-04 but i have barely driven it since 11-02.

Change both the oil and the filter, Eagle.

Contrary to many claims, oil does deteriorate with age and, to avoid problems down the road, a full service at least once of year offers great security.