I am ready to switch to Mobil 1. Any preparations before I do? My 88 has no issues, no oil leaks, always used Mann filters and Castrol GTX 10-30, about 3-4k between changes. No gunk in engine, flame trap is clean and not plugged. Can I simply drain old fossil oil, change the filter, new copper crush washer and add the Mobil-1? She does not use any oil between changes, runs strong but I am the cautious type. My reason for switching is to go 5-6k between changes which I do myself. Disposing of used oil is getting, well, old, and I don't want to spend that much time under my car anymore.

why ruin a good thing? you say, "no issues, no oil leaks, no gunk in engine, flame trap is clean." You use a Mann filter.. Your car has made it this far on regular oil, just stick with it. Sounds like you're doing a pretty good job. I went to synthetic, and everything was fine, then came the dreaded rear seal leak.
sure it looks cleaner with synth, but i'm convinced regular oil is just fine. I've even done the high mileage regular oil. but Now, i have some gaskets to replace, and i'm never going back to synthetic. Nor will I ever recommend it, on a 20+ year old volvo. Maybe on a high performance turbo brick, or a newer 850 on up, but not on an old 4 cyl grocery getter.
If anyone thinks synthetic oil really makes a difference, I've got some bosch +4 platinums, the tornado gas saver, and some torco additives too.
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'89 245 DL B230 Manual

I need two hands to count the number of used 240's I've owned, and have just routinely put in synthetic as soon as I bought them. They've all gone over 250,000 miles (bought at 75,000 to 136,000 miles), and never* had any trouble with any leaks or other problems (I do look for signs of leaks before buying, though :-).

I put in synthetic (along with a filter change), then after 1,000 miles, change it (and the filter again), just to have flushed any significant remains of the dino oil out of the car. Then I just treat it normally, and change the oil and filter once a year or 6,000 miles or so (I always have three or more 240's, so that's why the annual mileage is low).

I happen to use AmsOil (and have for decades), but that's just me (some like other brands): I used to use only 10W-40 (and still use it in my John Deere garden tractor, over 29 years old, and still running strong on the original, never opened, B&S engine), but in the past ten years or so they've come up with other varieties, so now I used 5W-40 ("European formula") in my cars; I also used to have a M-B Gelaendewagen (grey market 1984, bought with 90,000 miles) that I used for really heavy towing (a big boat) in the summer, and for that I used 20W-50.

[ * caveat about "never had ... leaks". Back in 1973, I bought a new Volvo 164, and after a 3,000 mile break-in I switched over to Mobil 1 (then relatively new). It leaked like a sieve! That's when I switched to another synthetic (Xenex, that since went out of business) with better results, but by the late '70's adopted AmsOil, and haven't had any trouble since.
However, I won't hold it against Mobil 1 today, as I'm sure that was just an early formulation that has since improved (given the high praise many give it.)]

I've never had any trouble switching.

As far as the brand - The only brand I use is Castrol. I've put 275,000 on a Bronco II with normal Castrol. I use the synthetic Castrol 10W30 on my cars now - have 164,000 on my Volvo, 205,000 on my F150, 295,000 on my 300SDL and 405,000 on my Beetle TDI.

I'd never go back to standard oil and I'd never use another brand besides Castrol. - BTW - I change on the 5's - (every 5,000).

hope that helps
Charles

I've changed to Mobil-1, on eight (yes,8) cars over the years, 5 of which were Volvos. Also 3 motorcycles. Mileages at the time varied from 3000 (new car) to 250,000. No leaks that weren't there to start with - I'm pretty sure that story is just urban legend, and coincidental leaks have been blamed on the oil switch.

My experience backs up what Mobil state on their website: no flushes, no special procedures, just change oil and filter and drive on.

The main advantage to a quality synthetic is the ability to stretch out the oil change interval (as you note) and in my case, significantly better cold start performance than petroleum based oils. Synthetics also handle high temperatures better, without losing viscosity or breaking down. This has been well proven in numerous lab tests for decades now. Whether that makes the extra expense worth it for your particular circumstances is your call

I use 5W30 in all the cars, buying a couple of 4 or 5-litre jugs when it goes on sale, so I always have some on hand at oil change time.

As for the colour change - sure, my oil turns dark in a few thou miles/km's, and that just means the detergents in it are doing their job and keeping the tiny particles the filter can't catch, plus combustion acids, etc. in harmless suspension.

With mostly highway driving, I go about 16,000km (~10,000mi) on an oil change. Less used oil and filters to dispose of, less of my time under the cars.

You mentioned the Mobil 1 website. I want to ad that it does say that when switching over it may be necessary to change the oil earlier for the first batch. Something about the synthetic dissolving gunk that could be present.

This is the only non-routine thing that I've heard about. I'm only on my third gas tank fill-up on my switch over, and I'm watching to see if it darkens sooner than the conventional oil. I'm expecting it not to, but we'll see.

Steve

Mobil 1 is great- you should use it- its the best of syns. oh sorry-am I getting too enthusiastic? Someone might think Im doing a commercial for Mobil 1 --

If your only reason is to change your oil less often, stay dino and buy Diesel oil.

Better additive packages, meets and exceeds car specs, and can easily go 5-6K before changes.
Delo, Rotella, and my choice Tection are good ones.

I'm frustrated that I wasted my money and time on Mobil1 for no apparent differences. My oil was still black as night at 3 and 4 K miles a year after I started using it, and I had changed it religiously.

Then again that's just my brick, so maybe you'll like the Mobil1. I always felt cool putting it in :)

Happy Bricking
--
1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

Boy you are really brave to include your reccomendation of DELO in your post-"jorrel" jumped all over me for doing just that. i guess either he hasnt seen your post OR he just likes to pick on certain people. Maybe its cause you wern't "enthusiastic"-and he doesnt like enthusiastic people? Im with you tho-DELO is among the best of non-synthetic oils. The others you reccomend are great also. I just personally prefer DELO. :o)

This is my first crankcase full of synthetic at 250K. Mobil 1 0w-30.

I considered the "High Milage" product they offer, but concluded I didn't want the seal "conditioners" going to work on my brand new front seals, nor did I need extra viscosity it is said to have.

Steve

Hard to predict but all I can tell you is that when I switched I developed a rear seal leak, which had to be replaced, very expensive.

No Precautions at all.

Converted to full synthetic almost three years and over 50K miles ago.

Regards,

Paul

As far as leakage with switching-no one can say how YOUR brick is going to do-but it is possible you may find leaks starting and have to deal with them. My personal recommendation-given to me by an excellent mechanic of over 30 years-a real Volvo specialist, is give DELO a try. I did-its not synthetic, but I also NEVER have to clean my flame trap and I changed to Delo 3 years ago. You can easy go 4- 5000 miles between changes if you wish, especially if your engine is in top shape anyway.-I personally still change mine every 3k but that’s me. I suggest give it a try before you go synthetic-you can always go to synthetic later on.

Quit with the Delo commercial if you wish to retain any dignity on the BB. I'm wondering how much you are being paid for each Delo post as virtually all of your posts include pro Delo language, many in a quite vigorous manner.

jorrell
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92 245 299.3K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Looks to me like you are a trouble maker. you have no right to accuse me of reccomnding the oil i use and like just as many reccomend the oil they use. If I reccomended Mobil 1 would you be so quick to jump on my case? I doubt it. Everytime I dont "go with the flow", you and others seem to try to see what they can stir up. I have my own opinions-I am not doing "commercials" . I really shouldn't have to defend myself to ones like you. Seems you have nothing to do but see what trouble you can stir up. If anyone reccomends a product they like and you dont like that, is this what you do? I like DELO-I will reccomend it to anyone,. If I used and liked Mobil 1 I would do the same. Go hassle somone else, please. As far as dignity-looks like yours left a long time ago.

"Hey Mobile 1 people-looks like you're safe to be enthusiatic about your oil-he wont bother you for that"- (cause he probably gets paid whenever anyone buys a gallon..")

Good gracious folks give it a rest. Do you not have anything more important than to keep sniveling back and forth about this. Use what works for you and move on.!

Reading this makes me wonder if I messed up. I told everyone about my experience in obtaining (now two) new cushions for my 240. In the first thread, I kind of bashed the seller as it did not go very well and then it was cleared up and then some, so I praised him and more , the product. I hope I did not do anything wrong as I really thought I might be helping someone.

Euroman

No, you shouldn't worry too much about that, IMO. I like hearing about personal experiences with parts and suppliers that one could reasonably be expected to be able to form a sound judgement about.

Like a seat! Or crummy motor mounts that break in a year. And lot's more, of course.

Steve

Thanks, Steve. I hope I did help someone.
Ken (euroman)

There are no "precautions" other than the usual oil change stuff.
I use 10-12K intervals, including my track car.

Some folks will tell you that you're gonna get leaks when you switch, but I didn't find that to be the case when I changed to Mobil 1. Flame trap is spotless all of the time and the 4-5K change intervals are a lot more comfortable.
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http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid

Same here. I recently switched to Bardahl synthetic on my 1996 940 turbo, figuring it would be good for the turbo. (Mobil 1 = mucho dinero over here).
No new leaks. I even switched to Redline ATF in my auto tranny to cure hard shift from 1-2 (it helped!), and no new leaks there either.
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...and the bricks keep on rolling

Oil brands? I think I would have to live 500 years to accurately decipher what oil may be better. There are however industry standards to trust. Thank-you all for the rock solid advise that keeps my brick ticking. lol havefun...