High Mileage oil caused remote oil lines to leak

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JDD

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Well, maybe. No proof, but I am suspicions. Vehicle; '93 S-15 Jimmy 4.3L "W" engine. After going on to a site for Chev S-10 owners, I stumbled on some posts that address the issue of the remote oil lines leaking. Some state that the seal swelling properties of HM oil cause the oil lines to leak. For those not familiar--this vehicle has a remote oil filter by the air cleaner box. The oil lines that go to the filter and radiator are rubber and are crimped to aluminum. My vehicle has only 115K and the lines were bone dry until I went to Vavloline HM 5-30 a year ago. Started leaking about 1000 miles into the first fill of HM and is getting worse. Going to have to change out the lines, which is a major pain repair. Honestly, using HM oil in this vehicle causing a problem never crossed my mind, but it does make sense. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Edit--oil is Valv full synthetic 5-30.
 
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Could just be the added cleaning effect it has had. A trend i have noticed with these things is items may leak more for a while then slowly start to settle. It can only stop leaks if it gets in where the previous oils were sitting.
 
IMHO coincidental.

If the line is going, switching oil is gonna make it worse.

Just cut to the chase and replace the line and be over with it.

Q.
 
Originally Posted By: JDD
Well, maybe. No proof, but I am suspicions. Vehicle; '93 S-15 Jimmy 4.3L "W" engine.


Another part that GM has had trouble making reliably.
My opinion is that the oil COULD have done it, but these lines are notorious for leaking. They have such a bad reputation that the aftermarket was quick to make replacements, which is where I recommend you buy yours.
Just replace them and forget about it.
 
IMO most rubber parts last about 12-15 years regardless of how well you maintain your car. Just have to factor that in and replace parts accordingly.
 
Quest--Easy for you to say-------
It is one of the worst pain in the ar** repairs. There is no room to turn a wrench on the bolts down below because the lines are right next to each other, which are right next to the bolts, to which there is no clearance to to turn a socket/wrench. I may have to get about 3 feet of extensions and go from the front of the vehicle, which means pulling the radiator.

I will say without exception, that this is the worst vehicle I have ever owned (owned at least 30). Vehicle has been babied and maintained very well since birth. The parts quality on this thing just suck. The paint peels, the suspension is a never ending problem. Not to mention fuel pumps, transmission issues, door hardware (several items), rear window problems, intake manifold gaskets, fuel inj problems, EGR issues, brakes that are the worst of any vehicle I have ever driven, dash meltdowns (yes, melting parts), light switch fire, 4WD problems. Plus, it's hard to work on and a squeak and rattle trap. And leaks from everywhere there is any fluid on any kind. You can actually hear it rusting--and it's been garaged it's whole life. This vehicle cured me of wanting to buy GM.
 
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I doubt the lines leaking have anything to do with HM oil. Those lines leak commonly, no matter what oil is used. They are not terribly expensive aftermarket, and they are not as hard to change as you seem to make out.
 
Originally Posted By: cronk
I doubt the lines leaking have anything to do with HM oil. Those lines leak commonly, no matter what oil is used. They are not terribly expensive aftermarket, and they are not as hard to change as you seem to make out.


OK, maybe I overstated the difficulty. Still not an easy repair for me since I can't lift it up higher than jack stands. I just really despise the car and I have so much into it. I drunk the kool-aid on it a long time ago when I had the tranny fixed. It is just a half-baked, poorly executed, low quality vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: JDD
Originally Posted By: cronk
I doubt the lines leaking have anything to do with HM oil. Those lines leak commonly, no matter what oil is used. They are not terribly expensive aftermarket, and they are not as hard to change as you seem to make out.


OK, maybe I overstated the difficulty. Still not an easy repair for me since I can't lift it up higher than jack stands. I just really despise the car and I have so much into it. I drunk the kool-aid on it a long time ago when I had the tranny fixed. It is just a half-baked, poorly executed, low quality vehicle.


I always hated blazers of this age, I always thought there were junk - and this is coming from someone who likes the newer GM products. But come on, the thing is 16 years old.
 
I understand the frustration of having to replace lines in hard to reach areas; but it is 16yrs old as mentioned, some lines are bound to go.

That said....with all the issues you reported as having had, I would've parted with it a long time ago.
 
Originally Posted By: JDD
Yep--rear main is leaking too----


Originally Posted By: Ramblin Fever
I understand the frustration of having to replace lines in hard to reach areas; but it is 16yrs old as mentioned, some lines are bound to go.

That said....with all the issues you reported as having had, I would've parted with it a long time ago.


Agreed.
 
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: JDD
Well, maybe. No proof, but I am suspicions. Vehicle; '93 S-15 Jimmy 4.3L "W" engine.


Another part that GM has had trouble making reliably.
My opinion is that the oil COULD have done it, but these lines are notorious for leaking. They have such a bad reputation that the aftermarket was quick to make replacements, which is where I recommend you buy yours.
Just replace them and forget about it.


Um, it's a 1993...

You're calling GM out for a 17 year old part? Really?
 
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: JDD
Well, maybe. No proof, but I am suspicions. Vehicle; '93 S-15 Jimmy 4.3L "W" engine.


Another part that GM has had trouble making reliably.
My opinion is that the oil COULD have done it, but these lines are notorious for leaking. They have such a bad reputation that the aftermarket was quick to make replacements, which is where I recommend you buy yours.
Just replace them and forget about it.


Um, it's a 1993...

You're calling GM out for a 17 year old part? Really?


Yes, I am, only because it's a pretty long list. About 1 week ago I had a co-worker give (yes, no money involved) me a '98 Monte Carlo. It has 168K miles, but the exterior and interior look new. The problem? It needs the intake and head gaskets replaced. The owner has given up on this car because of previous DEALER repairs of the same problem. He just wants to rid himself of the money pit. I took the car because I've done the repair myself several times. The secret is aftermarket parts (as in Fel-Pro)and you probably don't have to worry about it again. The other car makers probably aren't (IMO) any better.
Anybody wonder why the domestics are in trouble?
The problem I really have is that I don't think GM/Ford/Chrysler learned anything since 1993.
Again, off topic. Sorry for the rant.
 
Off topic but I can't resist:


My 1994 Accord with 155,000 miles for comparison:

I will say without exception, that this is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Vehicle has been maintained fairly well since birth.

The paint is in good condition - just starting to show a few small rust spots despite steady diet of Canadian winters and road salt.

The suspension is all original still tight, no rattles, handles like new.

fuel pump original

no transmission issues or engine problems at all,

door hardware no problems,

no issues with intake manifold gaskets, fuel inj, EGR issues

brakes - finally changed the original front pads at 140,000 miles rotors and rear brakes are still original as is the clutch.

Doesn't leak any fluid of any kind.
 
" It needs the intake and head gaskets replaced. "

Ah, the infamous GM V-6 engine problems. They still afflicted vehicles built as late as 2000. My 2000 Olds minivan needed new intake manifold gaskets at under 50k miles and four years of age.

GM has sent more people to the "never again" club than you can count. Now many of those people simply aren't of a mind to give the General yet another try.
 
It's not the oil. This is a prime example of a problem GM is/was aware of for YEARS and did nothing to correct the problem. I replaced them 2 times on my 99 S-10.
 
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