How often should I change oil?

[Opera House]

My better half only puts about 4K a year on the vehicle and that definitely needs three oil changes a year from the moisture build up. Toyota definitely has engine problems in some models. Some believe this is due to oil shear because of the gear driven valve train. The same reason you shouldn't use standard oils in motorcycles. I don't have a lot of faith in oil filters. Prefer a high flow vs restriction of filtering. All filters go into bypass at cool startup so what's the point. Changing the oil is the best filter. If I went to synthetic, I would drain it at regular periods, store it for a year, and then use it again. Gravity is the best filter, it will become clear again. For now I use 87 cent Wally oil. Good oil is definitely better, but what does that do for me. I buy my vehicles dirt cheap at auction and get well over 200K on them. Definitely like pre oilers. Have a portable one that I use on engines I don't start often.

 

[Rhett]

What this board really needs is a thread about pre-oilers.

With the 4.0 OHV engine, I'd wager some $$$ that a pre-oiler would guarantee you 300,000 + miles with normal maintenance. The main wear problem on a 4.0 OHV seems to be the pushrods, and it's because they don't get all the lubrication they need at startup, especially in cooler weather.

 

[aldive]

Amsoil offers one... look at http://www.amsoil.com/products/amk.htm

 

[aldive]

There are some discussions about Pre Oilers on Bob's the Oil Guy site.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi...arch_tng&d=results&record=2453375-124653-9PK9

 

[Jason94sport]

This is a design problem. Chrysler 2.7L is VERY prone to sludge. I have seen these be completly gummed up with sludge. It doesn't matter what year or mileage.

I would have to respectfully disagree 100% with that Bill. Check out this editorial from Car & Driver's editor, it appeared in the magazine last month. http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=8794&page_number=1
It seems that Volkswagen/Audi, Chrysler, and Toyota have all had major problems with oil sludge in the engine brought on by the extended oil change intervals they had recommended on their newest vehicles. Major warranty costs were absorbed by the companies, and they had to write their owners to change the recommended interval for oil changes. I'll stick to 3 months/3,000 miles.