Heavy leaking with Castrol Syntec 5w-20

[pmwalter]

My wifes 02' Honda CRV starting leaking like a fountain when I poured in Castrol Syntec 5w-20. This is the first time that I have used synthetics in this vehicle which has 31K miles on it. It seemed to be leaking all over the place. The oil filter and the valve cover were the two places I found. I tried three different oil filters and all leaked at the gasket. I changed back to Castrol GTX 5w-20 and the leaks stopped entirely.

This CRV has had OC's every three to four months, regardless of miles. Maybe this is a pre-existing condition that came from the factory. I'm at a loss to explain why it leaked so badly.

Any guesses?

 

[dinosauract]

The only thing I can think of is if the Syntec is appreciably less viscous than GTX, allowing marginal seals to leak. If the Syntec actually attacked the gasket material, the valve cover would still be leaking with the change back.

 

[kanling]

Well this certainly doesn't de-bunk the "synthetic causes leaks in older cars" rumor, does it? (And at 31K, this car is anything but old.)

 

[bar1]

Did you clean the mounting area where the oil filter is mounted? Also did you put oil on the new filter gasket before mounting it?

 

[Quest]

Regardless of what motor oil you use, I would typically advise people to fix what the problem is: if it's the valve cover gasket leaking, replace it. If it's a seal, relace the seal.

I wouldn't argue about "so and so causing valve cover gasket leak" for VC gasket is considered a "wear and tear" item-->as it ages due to exposure to all kinds of harsh environment and chemicals, it hardens and causes leak.

p.s. Dad's 2000Civic 7th generation: got 85,000kms to date and I already replaced the VC gasket during my valve adjustment servicing(at 82,000kms)...used a mixture of Mobil 1 5W30 to Quaker State 5w20 to Shell Formula 5W30 (SM rated) ....no leaks at all....

 

[kanling]

I can accept the theory that synthetic oil exposed a weak seal that was a hidden problem with conventional oil.

But, the point is that everything was fine with conventional. If I have "hidden" leaks... well let them stay that way.

This particular case is interesting because of the leaks around the oil filter. It doesn't make sense unless all the filters were undertightened or there is a problem with every filter tried.

 

[Dave Hess]

I used Mobil 1 for the first 117,000 miles for my wife's 1998 Civic and the cam seal started to leak due to age......NOT because it was Synthetic oil.

The car now has 135K miles and it only loses 1/2 quart every 5K miles.

 

[m2200b]

This is model honda with a factory warning to be sure your old filter gasket doesn't stick on the mounting area so you end up with two gaskets when you put on the new oil filter, big time filter leaks and, yes, engine fire.

 

[pmwalter]

I am very careful with the oil filter gasket, especially since that fiasco a few years ago. I always visually inspect it and wipe it down with a clean rag before installing a new filter. The first two filters were Nippon filters. The last one to leak was a FRAM XG. The leaking was very small, but didn't seem to go away. There was always a drop at the bottom when I lifted the car to inspect it. I hand tighten the filter every time. Once it is firm I usually give it one more tug to tighten it a little more. I'm not sure if I can actually tighten it too much since I'm only using my hand. And for those of you who change oil filters on Honda's, you know that your arm and hand are in a weird position to begin with.

As far as the valve cover, I agree with you guys. This must be a pre-existing condition that dino didn't present. The rear corner is where it is leaking. I can follow a dirty trail of old oil straight down to the oil pan. That would also explain why it started to smell like burnt oil when my wife would drive into the garage. I will eventually want to get it fixed since I plan on keeping this car for many more years.

BTW, see my post about the Castrol High Mileage oil in 5w-20. First time I have ever seen that available. I guess I could run that for now on.

 

[GoldenRod]

I don't buy into the notion that Syntec "exposed a weak seal". Come on! The car only has 31K miles on it! There was nothing wrong with those seals other than not being compatible with the aggressive nature of Synthetic oil. I would say this is clear evidence, that synthetic oil is and can be harmfull to perfectly good seals. Some of you guys just go to far in protecting synthetic oil.

 

[oilyriser]

I tried a Fram Tough Guard, and it dripped, too. Tightening it didn't help. There may have been a problem with the seal, or maybe there was a rough spot weld on the can under the seal.

 

[bar1]

I've used synthetic in my 5 cars since the early 90's. 3 cars was old when I got them and I suspect previous owners used conventional or synthetic blend. Didn't leak when I put in synthetic.

 

[JAG]

I'd guess you overfilled the crankcase with the Syntec! I've done that (it wasn't much extra) and it caused a leak. When I saw that I overfilled and there was a leak, I drained some oil and leak stopped completely.

 

[thooks]

Switch to a PureONE or Wix filter.

Is there a chance that the oil filter stud might be cross-threaded or damaged and now sits at an angle, preventing a square contact of the filter gasket?

 

[racer12306]

goldenrod said

quote:

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I would say this is clear evidence, that synthetic oil is and can be harmfull to perfectly good seals

---

my 04 neon does not have any leaks and it has been using synthetic oil since new, it has 42000 miles on it. my sisters 02 neon has almost 90000 miles, synthetic since new. my dads 00 stratus had 135000 miles on it when someone ran into him and totaled it, synthetic since new with no leaks. my 93 shadow with 140000 did start to develop some leaks but it was old (time wise) and it had synthetic since new.

thooks: there is a possibility that this could happen but in this situation i dont think so, since the leak ended when the dino was put back in. if the oil filter was the problem then the leak would have continued.

walter: definetly an odd situation. the car is anything but old and it has been well maintained. there must be a hidden problem.

 

[steveh]

I used synthetic in 3 new cars in the early 90's and had nothing but problems in all of them. All 3 cars started leaking after about a year. I had multiple seals and gaskets replaced under warranty on all 3 cars. I never had a leak problem with dino.