High Mileage oil question.

[wtd]

I have a 1998 Chevy K3500 with the 7.4L with around 111,000 miles on it. A few years ago it starting leaking oil from around the front of the oil pan area and would drip onto the ground.

I started using Pennzoil High Mileage oil and that stopped the dripping on the ground though this area still seeps some oil. My question is this:

Will I need to keep using a high mileage oil to prevent the oil from dripping or can I use some of the Citgo synthetic blend oil I just bought? My fear is if I use the synthetic blend which is probably thinner than the Pennzoil High Mileage I'm currently using, it will start dripping again.

Does anyone have experience with going from a High Mileage oil that has stopped a leak to a regular or synthetic/synthetic blend oil? Thanks for any info.

Wayne

 

[dave1251]

Likely it will leak a bit more until you switch back to High Mileage oil.

Then again the different dispersent package make clean additional deposits on the seal and it will expand a bit more. Stranger stuff happens.

 

[BrocLuno]

Only way to know is to try...

 

[em27blacktop]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Likely it will leak a bit more until you switch back to High Mileage oil.

Then again the different dispersent package make clean additional deposits on the seal and it will expand a bit more. Stranger stuff happens.


Far from an expert here, but I'd agree. Might not be immediate but I'd think you could see some more leaking. Just buy a quart of High Mileage and throw it in..at least you'll have some seal conditioner moving through there.

 

[Nick1994]

It's not a miracle in a bottle. Fix it right, new oil pan gasket.

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
It's not a miracle in a bottle. Fix it right, new oil pan gasket.


Yeah, That is super easy on a 4wd GMT400 pick-up once you drop the front differential, It could be the front seal or the timing cover making the front of the oil pan wet......

 

[Merkava_4]

But then again .... you could always buy some Citgo high mileage and have your cake and eat it too.

 

[wtd]

Thanks everyone. I don't have a problem continuing to use the Pennzoil High Mileage that I'm currently using but I just bought a bunch of Citgo semi-synthetic oil that a local store was discontinuing and wondered if using it would again increase the oil leakage.

As far as fixing the leak, this is not a daily driver truck and dropping the pan does not look easy so I'm okay with the small amount it's currently leaking. If it ever does get worse to the point that even the HM stuff doesn't help, then I might consider a pan drop. Thanks again.

Wayne

 

[BrocLuno]

Have you tried just snugging up the pan bolts a 1/4 turn?

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
It's not a miracle in a bottle. Fix it right, new oil pan gasket.


Yeah, That is super easy on a 4wd GMT400 pick-up once you drop the front differential, It could be the front seal or the timing cover making the front of the oil pan wet......


+1 High Mileage oils can help but it is more of a Band-Aid. Fixing the gasket will make a difference and unless you are having oil burning and/or additional leaks then a High Mileage wouldn't be required.

 

[GreasyGrace]

My '02 Ford Escape has been leaking in multiple locations.

Here are my observations.

I've used Maxlife 5w-20 and 5w30 (synthetic blend).

Currently using Pennzoil full synthetic platinum 5w-20 High Mileage. Never used their 5w30 equivalent.

So far, the least dripping, has come from Maxlife 5w30 synthetic blend.

And yes it goes without saying, that the correct fix is ALWAYS to replace the damaged seal. But I'm not doing that on a 14 year old vehicle pushing almost 120k, that still gets very good mpg and gets me from A to B.

You have to always keep the proper perspective on these decisions.