If I have an engine with conventional oil in it can I add synthetic oil if it needs topping off. There was a question the other day about what oils are being seen on shelves and most of what I have seen on shelves lately is synthetic. Maybe its a supply thing? Any reason not to use all synthetic oil in our old tractors other than maybe price?
- Thread starter Charlie M
- Start date
jimg.allentown
Well-known Member
I never did like mixing brands or types of oil. I fear that additives or chemicals that are in one brand might not react well with additives from other brands. As far as the oil itself, most synthetics are made from petroleum, which makes me think that the whole synthetic thing is just so much smoke and mirrors.
Chances are you wouldn't do any damage by mixing them.
Using synthetics in older tractors may increase oil consumption, but I see no potential for damage unless it is a viscosity issue. Synthetics are thinner than conventional oils.
Chances are you wouldn't do any damage by mixing them.
Using synthetics in older tractors may increase oil consumption, but I see no potential for damage unless it is a viscosity issue. Synthetics are thinner than conventional oils.
redforlife
Well-known Member
Be careful. I don't recommend it. A buddy of mine changed oil in a 1970's era tractor. Thought, oh well, might as well use what the new tractors use. It started leaking out the rear main seal of the engine. Never leaked a drop before.
After he done some talking around, he found out that the new oil being synthetic or higher detergent level, probably started working the sludge, gunk, and carbon free inside the engine. Probably would of been fine after another oil change to get the worked free stuff out. But the bad rear main seal probably would of remained leak free if it wouldn't of got a good cleaning by the modern day oil. In his case, he could of dodged a big problem if he would of stuck with the old kind of oil.
After he done some talking around, he found out that the new oil being synthetic or higher detergent level, probably started working the sludge, gunk, and carbon free inside the engine. Probably would of been fine after another oil change to get the worked free stuff out. But the bad rear main seal probably would of remained leak free if it wouldn't of got a good cleaning by the modern day oil. In his case, he could of dodged a big problem if he would of stuck with the old kind of oil.
Smalltowner
Member
Yes the synblend is the recommended oil for my ford 5.0 and wifes GMC. I use valvoline.
Walt
Walt
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
I don't see where it would hurt.
Back in the very early days of synthetic oil, they said not to mix them, but when changing oil, you never get all the old oil out, so there would always be some mixing unless you were starting with a fresh, empty engine.
I prefer synthetic. Synthetic is just a better way to get the oil to do exactly what it is designed to do for a specific application.
And yes, it would be possible to dissolve a lot of carbon and sludge, but that is more an issue with going from non detergent to detergent. But after a few oil changes that should stabilize. A severely sludged engine is also a symptom of a severely worn engine, so anything that happens could have been destined to happen anyway, regardless of the oil used.
Back in the very early days of synthetic oil, they said not to mix them, but when changing oil, you never get all the old oil out, so there would always be some mixing unless you were starting with a fresh, empty engine.
I prefer synthetic. Synthetic is just a better way to get the oil to do exactly what it is designed to do for a specific application.
And yes, it would be possible to dissolve a lot of carbon and sludge, but that is more an issue with going from non detergent to detergent. But after a few oil changes that should stabilize. A severely sludged engine is also a symptom of a severely worn engine, so anything that happens could have been destined to happen anyway, regardless of the oil used.
DoubleO7
Well-known Member
- Location
- Crystal River, FL
"Synthetics are thinner than conventional oils."
What?
john in la
Well-known Member
Every major bottler of motor oil has a synthetic blend that is a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.
If they see fit to bottle the mix and sell it why would anyone think mixing the two kinds of oil on their own would be a problem.
If they see fit to bottle the mix and sell it why would anyone think mixing the two kinds of oil on their own would be a problem.
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