Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Have you guys tried High Mileage oil to combat oil leaks in your yard equipment? My Troy bilt 4 cycle has had a leak possibly from the cylinder to case seal. The edger is 6 years old. Been running Amsoil small engine, currently running GC and Amsoil 5w20 combo from left over oil changes. The engine runs great...might be time for a replacement and keep this one as a fun project, I don't know.
Things which you can put in your crankcase to combat oil leaks fall into a few categories:
- Thickeners - stuff that looks like molasses and increases the oil viscosity through the roof. The only thing they're good for is for used car lots to sell junkers without making too much smoke. They shorten engine life and damage bearings.
- Solvents - stuff that increases seal swell and softens seals. They provide a short-term fix followed shortly thereafter by a complete elastomer failure.
- Detergents - stuff that dissolves deposits such as varnish and keeps it in suspension in the oil. The reputable High Mileage oils use this approach, and there are commercial products as well. Auto-RX and Lubegard are two which are based on proprietary esters that clean without damaging the seals.
If the leak is a seal which is undamaged but leaking due to the build-up of "gunk", an High Mileage oil or one of the commercial products may be of some help.
If it's a gasket at the cylinder to case, I'd take the time to find the leak and either replace the gasket or try an external silicon patch over the leaking area.
