Oil After Break-in

[Bill in Bama]

I'm definitely old-school (as well as old, period), and believe in more, not less, oil changes, even given the superior performance characteristics of synthetic oils. In my professional life, I was part of my families' oil distributorship, and we sold Exxon branded products for 35 years. I attended several schools put on by Exxon (actually it was Esso/Enco at the time) and this was before synthetic oils, although Mobil at the time was making noise about a new type oil which became Mobil 1.

Everything I learned told me frequent oil/filter changes were desirable for long engine life, and despite the tremendous advances of oils in general and synthetics particularly, I can't totally break away from that imprint in my so-called brain. As I noted earlier, I changed the oil in my GTS 4.0 at 2000 miles, then the engine blew and the new one came from GErmany with oil already in it (Mobil 1 C40 I have to assume), which I left in until the dealer changed it for free. I missed the 2000 mile change in the new unit mostly through old age forgetfulness and sloth, but I plan to maintain a 5,000 mile interval (or every year whichever comes first) even though Porsche will pay for some of them. I'll just change once between every free one until they quit giving them to me.

I have been known to just change the filter and not the oil if time was pressing, my old 240 Z's filter was on the side of the block and only required reaching into the engine bay and removing it. Things were much simpler back then. My thinking was better to change a dirty filter and dump a quart of fresh oil in than go another 2000 miles with things as they were. Of course the location of the filter on our cars now doesn't lend itself to that strategy.

Even with the price of oil these days, its if by far cheaper than a new motor, so I guess I'll keep changing at the 5K mark regardless. Our BMW usually doesn't tell us it needs changing until 15-16,000 miles, which in my book is WAS too long, so even though they pay for the change, I do one or two in between. Funny how the change interval increased when they offered to pay for it.

[Southbama]

Bill, I too owned a 240Z, '73, and I remember that you could ALMOST change the oil without getting under it. The only downsides to that car was the body panels were as thin as a beer can and liked to rust, and the Japanese attempt to replicate an SU carb was a disaster. I eventually changed those to 3 Webers. I do miss that car. I also owned a '76 280Z and an '83 280 ZX turbo.

[Bill in Bama]

I had two Z's, a 1970, s/n 000596, and then a '72. First one I bought shortly before graduating from UA, it was the first one Boozer Motor Co got in, then sold it when I married but managed to find a nearly new 72 model in 73 which I kept 8 years. The car is still in the county and I've given the owner the original warranty card.

[blueline]

I also had a 1972 240Z that I drove the wheels off of, almost literally. At 175k miles it still didn't burn a drop of oil. Unfortunately, I lived in SE MI back then and the heavy salt during the never-ending harsh winters finally did her in. No matter what I did - full rustproofing & undercoat, constant quarter-car washes trying to rid the body, wheel wells and underside of salt, having the rust repaired, repaints, etc. - it was futile. The salt gets everywhere and eventually destroys everything it touches.

Back to the oil, as with all the other vehicles I've owned in the past, I changed the oil in the 240Z every 3k miles without fail.

I have the brochure from way back then that I managed to save, although it's a bit ragged these days. Wish I still had the car!

1972 Datsun 240Z brochure front.jpg (3.76 MiB) Viewed 457 times

1972 Datsun 240Z brochure back.jpg (4.11 MiB) Viewed 457 times

[xcursion]

Wow, didn't know so many here is a Z guy... Here is my '92 300ZX.

[blueline]

Wow, didn't know so many here is a Z guy... Here is my '92 300ZX.

Very nice! I'm assuming you still have the 300ZX too which is even better.

Yes, I had one too - a 1991 300ZX Turbo that I sold way back in 2005. It was a good car but did have a few electrical gremlins, especially in the stereo and the internally powered Bose speakers.

I guess I've officially hijacked the thread. Sorry Bill and Southbama. I'll do a follow-up "Oil" post to get us back on track.

1991 Nissan 300ZX.jpg (85.96 KiB) Viewed 439 times

1991 Nissan 300ZX Window Sticker.jpg (2.98 MiB) Viewed 439 times

[blueline]

Bill, I too owned a 240Z, '73, and I remember that you could ALMOST change the oil without getting under it. The only downsides to that car was the body panels were as thin as a beer can and liked to rust, and the Japanese attempt to replicate an SU carb was a disaster. I eventually changed those to 3 Webers. I do miss that car. I also owned a '76 280Z and an '83 280 ZX turbo.

You certainly got that right about the thin body panels. The quarters would go first (and quickly too).

But yes, changing the oil was a breeze for anyone to do. In fact, everything on the car was functional and simple.

The car was lightweight too at 2350 lbs but it was well-built and sturdy. (Outside of the thin metal body, that is.)

I changed the oil and filter on the 240Z like clockwork every 3k miles and I have no doubt that it was one reason the motor ran flawlessly for 175k miles. It was a fantastic engine.

[xcursion]

Blueline, that's a nice Turbo you got. I had the same stereo/speaker issues so I replaced them. Yes, I still have it and plan to keep it for as long as I can.

Sorry for moving off subject...

[Tom]

I was an RX-7 guy myself. The 3rd gen twin turbo was quite a car honestly.

[xcursion]

It certainly was. The third gen RX-7 was THE sh_t back then...Big admiration for that car.