Oil change - How often?

[Ripper]

OK, big question.

I change the oil every 6k and use Castrol synthetic.

HOWEVER, I keep reading all this stuff about changing every 3000. Is it really worth doing - does using synthetic make a difference to the 3k/6k arguement?

What does everyone use and how often do you change it?

------------------
Ripper

Grey 1993 S13

[Jez]

I change my oil every 4000 miles with fully synthetic oil. I do drive my car hard and do a lot of trackdays. Engine *seems* to be fine...

Any one else?

------------------
S13 with a few mods
200bhp ish with suspension and brake mods for trackdays

[Geof_S13]

Change mine every 3500 to 4000 miles. I use an engine flush very other time and fill with Castrol RS fully synthetic it's not as hydroscopic as Mobil 1 etc so less initial cam wear. A man in the trade showed me and independent paper written on it.

------------------

[Nathan_200sx]

I think my last engines owner used 3 in 1 oil judging by the gunk I cleared out, I change mine every 3000 ish with fully synthetic, and usualy spill it everywhere.

------------------
Nathan
Red S13 Mongoose, K&N T3 280ish BHP http://mysmilies.com/smilies/cwm30.gif
Empty bank account

[Ripper]

What do you use to clean the crap off your engine (or do you get it before it gets 'orrible and crusty)?

------------------
Ripper

Grey 1993 S13

[dave_s13]

Change mine every 3500 - 5000 miles & use the fully synth stuff u get from Motosave (only costs £22).
Engine cleaning = toothbrush + degreaser + lots of old rags + pain in arse

[keith-s13]

I change mine every 4000miles as well,use fully synthetic,everything seems fine for doing so....except the wallet seems light!!!

[keith-s13]

I change mine every 4000miles as well,use fully synthetic,everything seems fine for doing so....except the wallet seems light!!!

[Nathan_200sx]

I use some kind of engine prep and paul the mad jet washer from hell, who's managed to jet clean his name or an obcenity somewhere along his street. engine bay looks good now though. I had to take it for a blap and it coughed and splutterd shook and banged and after a few sweaty moments then run sweet. nice picks to dave soon.

------------------
Nathan
Red S13 Mongoose, K&N T3 280ish BHP http://mysmilies.com/smilies/cwm30.gif
Empty bank account

[SteveCarter200]

Yeah, I change mine every 3000 as well using either Castrol RS or Mobil 1. Still comes out seriously black every time I drain it. Surely with frequent changes it should still be nice and goldy coloured.

Steve

------------------
Blue '89 S13, T28,
HKS IC, Mongoose,
Pipercross

[matt_j]

when i got my 200sx just over a month ago, the (supposed) oil was absolutely orrible, filthy and blacker than black. spoke to simon norris who recommended using castrol gt magnatec which is what i used to use in me old sunny zx and knew it was good. Having changed the oil when i got the car, i made a trip to norris designs to get a t28 hybrid and boost upgrade fitted, which required another oil change, the oil is now lovely and gold... i intend to change it every 3000miles cos apparently turbos aren't particularly nice to oil, and this hybrid needs to last!!! heard that if u go too thin with ur oil then it won't cool the turbo bearings well or something and this is bad http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif

------------------
DAM!! These cars are great.....:)

[Kenny_s13]

Change mine every 3-4000 miles, Castrol GTX magnatec. Getting cleaner bit by bit.

[StuyMac]

Change mine every 3500-4500 miles, and use Halfords Semi Synthetic oil (10/40). Someone told me it was actually Duckhams but bottled up for Halfords, Ive always used it in the 200, used it in the RS Turbo, and My Mate used it in his Turbo'd Cordia for years and took it well past 130000 miles - and still going strong.

------------------
Stu

Red 1991 S13

[Beamish]

Yep I use the Halfords 10/40 stuff aswell,and change it every 3000-4000 miles.I also flush the beast using Wynns every other oil change.Keeps the oilways clear!!!

------------------
Red 1992 S13-Mods after marraige