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Dollo's avatar
Dollo
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013

Oil Change Viscosity Mistake

I just spaced at the parts store. In the stack of 5w-30 oil there was one box of SAE 30, and without noticing, I bought it. I did not realize it until after I had already poured the required 6 quarts back into the engine.

2005 Itasca with a workhorse chassis, 8.1 engine. In Southern Cal and will be traveling through AZ, NV and Utah.

Should I just drain it and replace it or will I be OK?

Thank you for the help.
Class A
  • stubblejumper's avatar
    stubblejumper
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2013
    Oops sorry..:S
    Lets see how can we communicate ?
    Phone.. no they listen:h
    Mail.. no they read it:h
    In person.. no they bug us:h
    Email... no they read it:h

    Oh the hell with it when we are all in jail together we will work out something :B
  • stubblejumper's avatar
    stubblejumper
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    With multi viscosity oils they are at the lower viscosity when starting (or cold) but once your engine has reached operating temperature they run at the higher viscosity. The 30 oil will not cause any damage in the California climate.
    If you don't believe it... google "multi viscosity oil"
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    As per an Aviation Mechanic (me) leave it in. It will be fine as frogs hair. You won't notice any change and like jhilley says multi is for col-hot temps and won't make a bit of difference in the summer.
  • Empty_Nest__Soo's avatar
    Empty_Nest__Soo
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    GMT830 wrote:
    . . . Is the 30 weight non-detergent? If so, get it out ASAP.

    I agree. In this day, however, I think the odds are it was high detergent, just like the multi-vis oils.

    If it is HD SAE 30, I believe you're fine for warm weather.

    I've always been more concerned about mixing brands of oil, each with maybe different additive packages, than with mixing viscosity.

    Wayne
  • GMT830's avatar
    GMT830
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2013
    I wouldn't consider running anything other than full synthetic in that engine.

    Is the 30 weight non-detergent? If so, get it out ASAP.
  • mc_cc's avatar
    mc_cc
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    I mix the viscosities all the time in my 1996 suburban. I have over 200,000 miles on it. In fact, I just recently put a quart of 20w50 synthetic in with 4 quarts of 10w30 non-synthetic. Never had any engine problems. It runs like a sewing machine. I am pretty sure you should have peace of mind knowing your engine is sufficiently lubricated.
  • sailor_lou's avatar
    sailor_lou
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    mike brez wrote:
    lanerd wrote:
    I think his concern is not if 30w is bad for his motor, but that he "mixed" the 1 quart of 30w with 5qts of multi-viscosity oil.

    I'm not sure if it will do any harm, but I've always been told to not mix different weights.

    If it were me, I'd just drain and refill. $25 and your piece of mind is at ease.

    Ron


    The way I read it he purchased a case of sae30 instead of a case of 10w-30. Poured in six quarts of sae30 then realized the mistake.


    I read it the same way as Mike, but either way I don't see it as a problem.

    Lou
    05 Travel Supreme Envoy
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Jun 08, 2013
    You know, I think you're right. Darn, I completely misread it. Sorry.

    Ron
  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    lanerd wrote:
    I think his concern is not if 30w is bad for his motor, but that he "mixed" the 1 quart of 30w with 5qts of multi-viscosity oil.

    I'm not sure if it will do any harm, but I've always been told to not mix different weights.

    If it were me, I'd just drain and refill. $25 and your piece of mind is at ease.

    Ron


    The way I read it he purchased a case of sae30 instead of a case of 10w-30. Poured in six quarts of sae30 then realized the mistake.

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