Is it bad for the engine?
Why? What willl go wrong?
Why? What willl go wrong?
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From mineral to synthetic or full synthetic!
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Usually there is no problem if engine was well-maintained, as in regular oil changes with mineral oil and functioning crankcase ventilation system. Where people run into problems is with engines that have been neglected at some time or another. Also, engines with 20 year old seals- just stay with what has been working, or use a high mileage synthetic like Mobil 1, or a blend like Maxlife.
The theory of why an engine will leak oil when switched to synthetic for me is that the syn usually has a better ability to clean some of the mineral oil leftovers (deposits) behind and expose a seal or gasket material that has not been in contact with fluid oil for a while (covered by deposit). The seal/gasket may seep until it gets back in shape or gets revitalized by a high mileage oil's seal additive.
As far as being bad for the engine, I cannot think of why that would be except if the engine is already quite worn. In that case use a higher viscosity synthetic, like Mobil 1 10W-40 HM.
Most cars with well-maintained engines that are not worn out already can switch back and forth between synthetic and mineral and have no problems like leaking mentioned above, which is the main issue.
The theory of why an engine will leak oil when switched to synthetic for me is that the syn usually has a better ability to clean some of the mineral oil leftovers (deposits) behind and expose a seal or gasket material that has not been in contact with fluid oil for a while (covered by deposit). The seal/gasket may seep until it gets back in shape or gets revitalized by a high mileage oil's seal additive.
As far as being bad for the engine, I cannot think of why that would be except if the engine is already quite worn. In that case use a higher viscosity synthetic, like Mobil 1 10W-40 HM.
Most cars with well-maintained engines that are not worn out already can switch back and forth between synthetic and mineral and have no problems like leaking mentioned above, which is the main issue.
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