[V8] Fuel leak/valvetrain noise/oil type

[Ed Kellock]

I run diesel spec 15W40 year round.  Was using only Rotella, but have
branched out to Mobil from Costco and/or Sams also.  Also, used to use
Rotella 5W40 synthetic in winter.  Last year I cheaped out and stayed with
non-synth and it was fine.  I did however use Mobil 1 synth 5W40 in one of
them since I got it cheap at Walmart.  I've changed back and forth between
non-synth and synth without any noticed issues.  One thing that's nice about
the diesel grade is it's usually available in gallon jugs instead of 5-quart
jugs.  Two gallons per car plus a filter makes for a fairly pricey oil
change.  I was "cured" of my longterm Mobil 1 addiction after owning my 1st
V8 for a year or so.  I was still doing oil changes every 3k miles then too.
Now it's twice a year, whether it needs it or not.  ;-)  I think I even
skipped the filter change last fall, or was it this spring?  No matter,
that's not going to be the norm; I either just didn't have one or was too
lazy to unbury it from the corner of the garage.  Having 5 V8's, I think I
may be taking them for granted a little.  I must make amends.

The perceived valvetrain noise might be a timing belt idler or a fan or oil
pump bearing (the same part, but there are two in there).  I think I have a
similar issue on two of mine at this point, unfortunately not near timing
belt change time.

Ed