AJT123

Maybe I should switch LS430 to synthetic?

Since it sits mostly and synthetic is better?

Thoughts?

Striker223

With how cheap any oil is why not, it's just better all around

SW17LS

I probably would not at its age. You can develop oil leaks in older engines when you switch to synthetic

Toys4RJill

Just follow the manufacturer's guidance

AJT123

I have and it’s never done me wrong. 150k and runs beautifully.

But I don’t like Lexus’ recc for my truck. Synthetic or not I don’t like 10k intervals, I do 7500. So did previous owner.

Toys4RJill

10,000 is pushing it. The Germans do that or a bit longer as well.

Striker223

Not true, the leak is already there and since synth flows better it will reveal it. Sealed is sealed, doesn't matter what is used. Conventional just doesn't flow around as easily and will usually not make it as far outside of a leak point

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

the swapping from conventional to synthetic issues are old wives tales. Its good that synthetic will reveal the leak for you, not cause a leak

SW17LS

Correct, but it still reveals leaks that you then have to deal with.

Striker223

Yes but it won't cause leaks to develop like you alluded to above.....I would expect it keeps them at bay due to having higher resistance to becoming acidic and stressing seals.

SW17LS

Well...it will. If there are no leaks and then there are leaks, then it has created a leak. Whether the leak "was there" and the oil just couldn't get through it or whatever, the reality is you have a leak where you didn't have one before, and likely would not have one if you hadn't switched to synthetic.

AJT123

Lol I really doubt an engine as well engineered as the 3UZFE 4.3 would start having issues. Remember those old UZ motors were indestructible, bulletproof.

You could probably run it dry for 50 miles, lol. I saw a YouTube of a Camry that went that far or farther on no oil, lol. I'd say the 4.3 V8 is more robust than a Camry 4 cyl engine.

Och

iTrader: (3)

That's just nonsense, it is a well made engine, but it requires proper maintenance just as much as any other engine, and when it comes to issues certain thing still apply. The 1/3UZ engines have great internals, and were some of the first all aluminum block/heads design, so they did not suffer from internal corrosion due to contaminated oil/coolant as much as iron blocks did, but rubber seals still deteriorate and will develop leaks. WIth 150k and 20 years of age, if you don't see any seepage from the rear main seal, crank/cam seals, and valve cover gaskets - don't change to synthetic.

Most seals on the 3UZ are relatively easy to replace, except the cam seals.

SW17LS

Nothing lasts forever, and they absolutely will leak oil when they get old.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

rubber ages, gets hard, and brittle, cant get around that. Always a big issue when a car becomes 15 years or more, leaks spring up all over the place, suspension bushings crack and starts making lots of noises.