Need some advice and comments

[RapidX]

Hello. New to the board. Earlier tonight I did a oil change with the Amsoil 5w30 oil. My car is a Ford Probe 2.0 4 cyl. It now has 148,000 miles on it. I don't know what kind of oil the previous owner used, conventenial or synthetic. I keep hearing about switching to synthetic on high mileage cars is not good. My engine is mechanically fine, no oil leaks. So since its bad to switch to synthetic, I still decided to give it a try. Was it a bad idea? I drove it around alittle tonite, I did notice a difference. The car runs more smoother. I'm alittle concern at the moment though, because of what I mentioned above. Any comments or advice would be great, thanks.

 

[pitzel]

It might start leaking due to degradation of 'false' seals. Other than that, there is little to no truth to the whole concept of 'synthetic' causing problems on high-mileage cars.

In fact, those 'high-mileage' oils you see advertised and on store shelves contain a higher ratio of synthetic component base oils than most normal brands of oil.

The 'smoother operation' might be due to either the psychogical effect of a fresh oil change, or because the viscosity of the oil that you placed in the crankcase is a bit more matched to what is optimal for your engine.

 

[RapidX]

But isnt that the whole problem with switching from regular to synthetic? Leaking. If it will start leaking, and if alot, then switching from regular to synthetic is not a good thing to do on high-milage cars, and I'll be in trouble.

 

[pitzel]

With the new oils that are coming out or are already on the market, in many instances, you are switching to 'synthetic' without even knowing.

For example, Mobil Clean 5000 and 7500 are 'synthetic' oils by the modern standard of 'synthetic'. As the API and ILSAC specs continue to improve, more and more oils, even 'cheap' oils, will either be full synthetic, or will be ever-increasingly augmented with significant 'synthetic' content.

 

[RapidX]

I see. What do you suggest I do if I start seeing/noticing leaks?

 

[1 FMF]

a leak is a leak, get it fixed if it's excessive.

The synthetic oil causes leaks is one of those myths that won't die. I'm using redline 5w-40, about as synthetic as you can get, in my '89 F250 with 7.3L diesel, 145k miles. I know it already leaks oil from the rear main seal, and I've been using mobil 15w40 oil since I got the truck, but even since the switch I have not seen any increase in oil seepage/leaks. Coincidently, I just had the auto trans dropped to get the front seal replaced, now that was leaking, about 1/2 quart at a time when parking the truck. The guy I had drop the trans noticed the rear main engine seal leak but said don't worrry about it. From what I hear, the new 6.0L powerstrokes are leaking more engine oil than I am.

 

[JHZR2]

I switched my MB diesel to syn at 21 years old and 200k miles. We seitched my father's toyota previa at 10 years old and 160k+ miles. Neither exhibited any issues at all. Both had improved fuel economy!

If you have a leak that comes to surface, guess what, its an issue that you should have repaired. Hiding an oil leak isnt doing anything any service, because it means that you have a lot of junk and gunk over that and who knows what other seals. Best to have it clean and fixed, especially if you like the car and want to keep it for a while.

JMH

 

[RapidX]

So, its a myth when people say synthetic causes oil leaks. That needs to be straightened out.

As for repairing leaks, I heard if you're leaking really bad, you mind as well just get a whole engine rebuilt.

As for my car since lastnight changing to synthetic and driving alot today, from the looks of it, so far.. so good. I'm still going to give it sometime. Comments and advice are still welcomed, thanks.

 

[JohnnyG]

quote:

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So, its a myth when people say synthetic causes oil leaks. That needs to be straightened out.

As for repairing leaks, I heard if you're leaking really bad, you mind as well just get a whole engine rebuilt.

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And so another myth that needs to be straightened out! This one, no doubt, dreamed up by somebody that knows how to make a lot of money fast. It depends on what EXACTLY is leaking. You can get some pretty serious leaks from valve cover gaskets for example. They can be changed for less than $100.00 and the leak eliminated entirely! Then there are the loose pressure fittings on some engines....1/2 turn of a wrench. Total cost $0.00! Not exactly worth rebuilding the whole engine for either of these.

 

[mf150]

a valve cover gasket leak fix for under $100.?

I'm just being a jerk...You could do it yourself in about 15 minutes...at least in my car.

[ March 14, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: mf150 ]