fresh Amsoil starting to leak

[Solo2driver]

I recently switched last week from GC (about 7K OCI, first time) to FormulaShell 10w30 for 550 miles as a flush, and then to Amsoil 5w30. It's been a few days and 1,000 miles and although I have seen a consistent increase in gas mileage, about +1.2mpg, the engine is starting to leak.
Previous owner ran Castrol 30HD at very short OCI's for the life of the car, no oil stains or deposits anywhere on the exterior of the engine. I put GC in it and ran it for 7K miles (just a tick over a month) and still no leaks, and then after replacing an exhaust gasket tonight I found oil seepage from two spots on the oil pan as well as from the oil pressure sensor just above the filter...no it is not spillage.

I thought that esters were the ones that may cause leaks, and the PAO's didn't...or am I backwards? I really wanted to run the Amsoil for 10K mile OCI, but if its leaking I don't want to continue. Thoughts?

-JamesW
94 Suzuki Swift GT 1.3L DOHC, creeping up on 150K

 

[Spector]

don't jump too soon. I have had leaks start with Amsoil then stop after 1000 or so miles sometime longer. Run the OCI and see what happens.

 

[Santo Fontana]

quote:

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Originally posted by Spector:
don't jump too soon. I have had leaks start with Amsoil then stop after 1000 or so miles sometime longer. Run the OCI and see what happens.

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What he said ^^

 

[Pablo]

Does the leak at the oil pressure sensor involve a seal or gasket? The reason I ask is because most don't (they are tapered or tight threads), and while we can have a lively debate about what base oils have what effect on seals - this type of leak would seem just to involve a small gap for the oil to escape....therefore maybe a cleaning effect or a viscosity effect.

Just another silly thought - where is the fill level on this oil vs. the others? (I know, I know)

 

[Solo2driver]

Good point on the sending unit, I will tighten it up. Oil level is at the same mark as with the GC and FormulaShell. Actually the capacity at change should be between 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 quarts, and I only had 3 quarts of Amsoil. I put 3 in and ran it for a little while to see where the level was, and when sitting for a day it still just a hair below the full mark.

We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the replies guys.

-JamesW

 

[Motorbike]

The sending units are crimped together , that's where they start leaking from due to vibration over time . Sometimes it comes from a loose electrical connector point where it's bradded on . Like a rivet of sorts .

Try wiping it dry then determine if the oil is coming from the seam or connector point .

 

[OffOrWFO]

I'm in the same leaking boat as Solo. I just put Amsoil 5w30 in 750mi ago in my 1996 GM 5.7 and am experiencing what appears to be a slight rear main leak. When I say slight I mean a drop has formed but hasn't hit the ground in my garage yet. Truck has 107K on and I just did an ARX treatment on it. It didn't have any leaks until I ran the Amsoil in it. Synthetic oil probably wasn't the brightest thing to do but the engine seems to be wearing good (UOA) and in overall great shape for the mileage. Plus I need 300K out of this engine. I do plan to run it through a OCI or two on ASL before I jump ship and re-ARX it. FWIW I have also had top end noise that has come and gone in the last 750miles -Something I didn't experience during the ARX treatment.

 

[fred]

there is noway amsoil are any other brand of oil is going to cause an oil leak in under a 1000 miles.you had a leak starting before you changed oil and the leak would of happened with any brand of oil

 

[Mike_dup1]

I have used Amsoil for 26 yrs and never had any leaks from using the oil (all GMs) and some vehicle had many miles on them. My 1992 Chevy plow truck had 71,000 miles when I put in Amsoil 0w30 in Fall of 2003.

There is not one leak to date so that must be smart oil to only leak on certain vehicles.

 

[rgl]

I changed over from unknown used-car-dealer oil to Amsoil 5-30 on my 4.6 on an F150. I cleaned the engine very well and could see that the head gaskets were very very slightly oil damp soon after the oil change. However, soon thereafter they dried up and have stayed that way for over 7k on the same oil. I can rub a paper towel over the joint and it will not show any oiliness or oily grit at all. The entire outside of the engine is very dry with no sign of seepage anywhere. BTW the oil is still not black.

 

[Pablo]

I know all to well I'm Mr. Biased, but I find it a tad unlikely that Amsoil CAUSED the leakage within 750 miles....I can say with some experience as a (non professional) wrench head for 30+ years, you probably already had an opening...but for whatever reason the conventional oil didn't squirt out.

 

[buster]

quote:

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know all to well I'm Mr. Biased, but I find it a tad unlikely that Amsoil CAUSED the leakage within 750 miles

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I do too. Synthetics will only expose potential problems by unplugging crud from left over conventional oil so it's not usually the oils fault. This is how the whole "Mobil 1 causes leaks in my engine" rumor got started.

 

[Mamala Bay]

No leaks from any synthetic oil here. Don't think it's the oil...

 

[OffOrWFO]

Wow some people got a little defensive of their synthetic oil. Some need to lighten up a little.

Note that I never said it was the oil that caused the leak. I also never said amsoil is crap because I have a leak now.

Did you guys that say the oil did not cause the problem read any of the other posts describing the same experience?
It may not be likely, but admit that IT IS possible.
This engine is in great shape and had no leaks before this oil. If it did the leak would have showed up during the AutoRX treatment cleaning. I was under the truck a least once a week during the treatment and the bell housing was always completely dry.
I know it is possible that it had a little leak that couldn't be seen and the syn just made it a little worse. Or the rearmain just decided it's time was up. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.