switching to synthetic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Here's the deal on that:
Decades ago- think 1920's-30's- most all motor oil came from the Appalachian region. That held true until those oil fields struggled to meet demand and Texas crude gained popularity as a motor oil stock in the 40's.
There were no oil additive packs at the time, OCI's were less than 1000 miles, and engine sludge was a fact of life. All oils caused it.
Texas crude has more natural aromatics like Naptha and less paraffin, motor oils built on those base stocks had slightly less tendency to form sludge.
Oil manufacturers used that fact in their advertising against competitors who continued to use Pennsylvania/Appalachian base stocks- Pennzoil, Quaker State, Kendall....
"Our oil causes less damaging engine sludge..."
Not much later the dewaxing process was improved and detergents started to be added to motor oil, making the difference in base stocks meaningless. But that hasn't stopped the old wive's tales.
Decades ago- think 1920's-30's- most all motor oil came from the Appalachian region. That held true until those oil fields struggled to meet demand and Texas crude gained popularity as a motor oil stock in the 40's.
There were no oil additive packs at the time, OCI's were less than 1000 miles, and engine sludge was a fact of life. All oils caused it.
Texas crude has more natural aromatics like Naptha and less paraffin, motor oils built on those base stocks had slightly less tendency to form sludge.
Oil manufacturers used that fact in their advertising against competitors who continued to use Pennsylvania/Appalachian base stocks- Pennzoil, Quaker State, Kendall....
"Our oil causes less damaging engine sludge..."
Not much later the dewaxing process was improved and detergents started to be added to motor oil, making the difference in base stocks meaningless. But that hasn't stopped the old wive's tales.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
As a 10 year old in 1970 it was my job to clean those valve covers and push-rods and such. Sorry Pensoil, it's a permanent scar! Did Quaker State and Castrol for a while. (Pennsylvania grade). Now Just Castrol. No bad rods or pistons in anything this century, my 90 purred past 280K the other day. (OK, it has knocked a bit at idle...for about 140K)
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
No they are not. Castrol made the engine rattle in my '87. I had to have my daughter have the oil changed as it was time, and the Jeep wouldn't be coming home to me for a while.
When it got home, I immediately noticed the engine rattle. Drained the 1,000 mile oil out of it and replaced with my normal Mobil 1.
I wouldn't use Castrol in a lawnmower. In fact, I use Mobil 1 in them, too.
When it got home, I immediately noticed the engine rattle. Drained the 1,000 mile oil out of it and replaced with my normal Mobil 1.
I wouldn't use Castrol in a lawnmower. In fact, I use Mobil 1 in them, too.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 952
Likes: 4
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 2000 4.0
Here's the deal on that:
Decades ago- think 1920's-30's- most all motor oil came from the Appalachian region. That held true until those oil fields struggled to meet demand and Texas crude gained popularity as a motor oil stock in the 40's.
There were no oil additive packs at the time, OCI's were less than 1000 miles, and engine sludge was a fact of life. All oils caused it.
Texas crude has more natural aromatics like Naptha and less paraffin, motor oils built on those base stocks had slightly less tendency to form sludge.
Oil manufacturers used that fact in their advertising against competitors who continued to use Pennsylvania/Appalachian base stocks- Pennzoil, Quaker State, Kendall....
"Our oil causes less damaging engine sludge..."
Not much later the dewaxing process was improved and detergents started to be added to motor oil, making the difference in base stocks meaningless. But that hasn't stopped the old wive's tales.
Decades ago- think 1920's-30's- most all motor oil came from the Appalachian region. That held true until those oil fields struggled to meet demand and Texas crude gained popularity as a motor oil stock in the 40's.
There were no oil additive packs at the time, OCI's were less than 1000 miles, and engine sludge was a fact of life. All oils caused it.
Texas crude has more natural aromatics like Naptha and less paraffin, motor oils built on those base stocks had slightly less tendency to form sludge.
Oil manufacturers used that fact in their advertising against competitors who continued to use Pennsylvania/Appalachian base stocks- Pennzoil, Quaker State, Kendall....
"Our oil causes less damaging engine sludge..."
Not much later the dewaxing process was improved and detergents started to be added to motor oil, making the difference in base stocks meaningless. But that hasn't stopped the old wive's tales.
In the old days before PCV, engines made sludge period.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
From: Southern California ( for now)
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, In Line 6
So seems a bunch of No votes for Castrol in Jeep use. I've used Quaker oil. And now most recent, that new Shell Platinum. Bought it for that $1 off per gallon gas savings. Have to check that out.
Last edited by jmrec100; May 22, 2014 at 10:33 AM.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Interesting. I can attest it's no good for sawing or drilling metal. Bit's and blades just won't bite, too slippery.
Last edited by DFlintstone; May 22, 2014 at 02:15 PM. Reason: "just"
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Quote from Salad: "You're implying that motor oil today is the same as it was a quarter century ago. Whoops."
No, this was fairly recently. Less than 2 years ago. Frankly, the rattle has not ever really gone away after that.
Even with Mobil 1 and Wix.
Coincidence? I honestly don't know.
No, this was fairly recently. Less than 2 years ago. Frankly, the rattle has not ever really gone away after that.
Even with Mobil 1 and Wix.
Coincidence? I honestly don't know.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I think the coolest part is where it shows 280K! (Original head I believe, got it at 135K). You will love this DJB. The temp sender has been out as long as I can remember. The nose knows 