A DISCUSSION WITH MY MECHANIC

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mossad

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Just today I was at my mechanics to settle up a bill for some exhaust work. While I was there he was consolidating some half empty quarts of Mobil Extended into some others that were partially empty. I joking said to him (because I know him well enough that he would NEVER go beyond 3k on any oil) that you can go 15k on that stuff. He said that he now uses Mobil syn in all his vehicles and that only one time did he go 5k on his Mobil syn and was not impressed with how dark the oil got by that point.

I was telling him how I've just been using Castrol GTX and that I don't exceed 3k with it, (we were discussing my minivan).
He told me that with the oil seepage I have, that it would be best that I sick with dino.

That is what is so confusing to me. So many people here on this forum have told me I can safely switch to syn even if I have slight oil seepage, but others say that I could must make things much worse.
I wish I could find the definitive answer to this.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mossad:


That is what is so confusing to me. So many people here on this forum have told me I can safely switch to syn even if I have slight oil seepage, but others say that I could must make things much worse.
I wish I could find the definitive answer to this.
Click to expand...
I would make the same recommendation. If your leaking oil, I'd rather leak a 1.50 a quart conventional rather than a 6.00 quart synthetic. I'd say it's a matter of economy.
 
Maybe you should try Auto-Rx or if that doesn't work fix the part that is leaking. Or if you don't mind a leaking engine then use dino so you don't waste expensive synthetic oil lik beanoil said. If you fix the leak (by Auto-Rx or by replacing a seal, etc.) then I'd feel safe trying a synthetic after that.
 
Well, 1st thing is that I disagree with your mechanic on saying that M1 is toast b/c it's very dark by 5k miles. No, no, no.
Secondly, have your tried Auto-RX? Of course, where the van is leaking (& from what) may not be suitable for fixing by ARX.
Don't get me wrong, your mechanic can change M1 every 2500 miles or 25k miles, and it doesn't change my day any.
smile.gif
 
quote:
So many people here on this forum have told me I can safely switch to syn even if I have slight oil seepage....
Click to expand...
I've never read such advice here. Can you point me to those threads?

If your car is leaking oil, it will leak faster with any synthetic oil. I haven't seen any debate about that.
 
I know that pure syth oils aren't supposed to leak anymore than dinos, but in the shop we see it happen when customers change to synths [sometimes].
It can happen.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Cutehumor:
uh oh, he's going to change his mind again.
lol.gif

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hahhaa...I've gotta laugh with you, but no, I'm not chainging my mind. Not yet (wink)...LOL
 
When I bought my 96 Sunfire back in July, the owner told me it was using between 3/4 and 1 quart of oil in 3000 miles. I poured GC into it, and right now I'm about 3200 miles into a 6200 mile OCI, and the car has gone through 1 quart of oil. So, in my case, synthetic oil hasn't increased my usage any. I assume I'm primarily leaking oil rather than burning it. I think I'll give Maxlife a try for my next oil change.
 
I also wonder, for those who switched to synthetic and developed a slight leak, if they stuck with it for a couple OCIs to see if it moderates. Seems to me most people panic and immediately change out the oil if they notice anything different happening. Same with slightly different aural perceptions.
 
I switched my turbo Volvo over to XD-3 0w30 synthetic at 125K miles and the oil leak volume definitely increased. I don't know the history of the car but I doubt it's ever had synthetic.

I'm only 6k miles into the first batch so we'll see how it goes (or I'll fix the leaks).
 
I can't think of a reason why switching within the same viscosity grade, that synthetic would leak any more than a conventional. However if you switch from a 15w50 to a 0w20 then yes, I would expect the engine to leak more. And more will evaporate as well. In general synthetics loose less oil to evaporation than conventional oils due to the higher flash point and lower volatility.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pablo:

quote:
So many people here on this forum have told me I can safely switch to syn even if I have slight oil seepage....
Click to expand...
I've never read such advice here. Can you point me to those threads?

If your car is leaking oil, it will leak faster with any synthetic oil. I haven't seen any debate about that.
Click to expand...
I agree. -But-

I've used synthetics in cars with (minor) leaks, and never noticed a sizable increase in usesage, or leaking oil, from when I had previously used mineral oil.

It may indeed "leak faster," but I think it's not by much.
 
I guess it needs some qualification Nickdfresh, because I have seen this too and well as some leaks stopped with synthetic. But in general if you have a leak, synthetic does leak out faster - with some exceptions.

What I will say is - if you have no leaks, one won't suddenly appear with synthetic oil. (ie there must have existed a pathway)
 
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