Switching Oil/Leaking Seals/HighMilage/Advice

[GenesisGuy70]

Hello!

New here to BITOG.

I need some advice.

I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L V6 with 138,000 miles that I have put Castrol Edge Syntec 5W30 in it since the day I got (30,000 miles ago). The crankshaft seal, rear main seal and oil pan gasket have started to leak some oil. Not surprising for a 15 yr old engine. Obviously this engine is too old to warrant replacing all these seals.

I want to know what would be the best oil to switch to that would help the seals, I was thinking about switching to Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Full Synthetic. My grandpa said something about changing from 5W30 to something a little thicker to decrease leakage. Opinions on that? Will it hurt my MPG? I life in Ohio so we get very cold winters, can't go so thick it won't start.

Also, I have been a religious K&N oil filter user because for my 5K OCI the oil is always the cleanest with K&N. However, they are so expensive! Any suggestions on great filters but cheaper?

Thanks for the help!

CodyG

 

[SatinSilver]

5w30 Valvoline MaxLife but the syn-blend version/red bottle for 5k oci's. About $18 for a jug. Some have reported higher oil consumption going to a thicker oil. Also use the ML for top-ups as well. For a cheaper oil filter that's very good and widely available, go with a Motorcraft.

 

[NMBurb02]

I had success in slowing a rear main seal leak in the Burb with Castrol GTX High Mileage. The subsequent fill I used Valvoline MaxLife NextGen and the leak started flowing again at the pre-Castrol rate, resulting in me springing $700 to have the seal replaced. But others have reported great success with MaxLife, so you might as well give it a shot.

As far as the oil pan gasket, is that a true gasket or RTV? If it is RTV, then a High Mileage oil will not help, other than maybe slowing the leak a bit due to being a bit thicker for its grade.

Edit: As for an oil filter, maybe From ToughGuard (silver can), which is probably what I will be switching to for both of my vehicles, depending on the results of my autopsies of the Boschs on both noe and the P1 I have waiting for the GP's next OC.

 

[MichiganMadMan]

My 2005 Malibu with the 3.5 (related engine) loved Valvoline MaxLife for the rear main seal weeping. It was pretty good with regular SOPUS oils too (Pennzoil Platinum, Quaker State Ultimate Durability and Pennzoil Ultra).
As far as filters, it seemed like it didn't care at all. Maybe NAPA/WIX filters?

 

[SF0059]

There is nothing wrong with switching to a high mileage oil with the issues you have on your vehicle. That is what HM was designed for! You might just switch to Castrol High Mileage. Personally I had good luck with QS Defy in the 5w30 flavor in a oil burning Subaru.

I wouldn't switch up a grade, especially for your first solution. Try the HM first for 2-3 oil changes and see if the loss stabilizes.

If you are only running 5k OCIs then I wouldn't pay the extra for something like a K&N, especially now that their efficiency rating has decreased. Someone mentioned a Fram Tough Guard and that would be a good option. Also look at Wix or Napa Silver/Gold. They are going to do the job fine for the miles you are putting on the filter.

Oh, and

 

[danthaman1980]

At 5K OCIs in an oil leaker, I wouldn't splurge on synthetic and K&N oil filters.

My girlfriend has a similar car ('01 Grand Am SE 3.4L). It does seep/burn a little, but not too bad. It seems to do fine on Quaker State conventional, but Pennzoil conventional would probably do fine too. On that car, I've used Napa Gold/Wix, Quaker State (Purolator clone), and Fram Ultra. The Fram Ultra was a PITA to install because the can is slightly too large in diameter to fit between the engine and frame cross-member, so I had to drop it down from the topside. I'm planning to use a Wix next time.

Pennzoil High Mileage or Quaker State Defy might slow the leaks a bit.

 

[Hyde244]

No harm in trying a high mileage oil - maxlife is a very popular go-to. If you don't see a change in consumption, I'd recommend considering switching to a cheaper oil that is ok to burn.

For instance, my girlfriend's Sebring loves to consume oil, around 1 quart every 800 miles. From here on out, we're planning to just use $14 Supertech to top off the beast.

 

[GaleHawkins]

Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 or 10W-40 are the two that I have run. Very nice oil and I think the Moly helps with wear.

 

[mjk]

I have the same issues in a 1996 Camry.

Here is what I'v seen in High Mileage oils in my application. Started with 3 runs of Mobil Super 5000 High Mileage. Leaks slowed down, but certainly did not end. I switched over to Maxlife this change,
and I'd say my leaks are probably about 1/2 of what they were when using the Mobil High Mileage. Still leaking a bit around the rear main and camshaft seal, but given the age and miles, it is not worth repairing.

I'd probably encourage you to just start with the Maxlife blend, rather than the other brands. It seems there are more positive testimonies for ML. There definitely is no reason to be running the full synthetic version in your car, though.



Originally Posted By: CodyG
Hello!

New here to BITOG.

I need some advice.

I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L V6 with 138,000 miles that I have put Castrol Edge Syntec 5W30 in it since the day I got (30,000 miles ago). The crankshaft seal, rear main seal and oil pan gasket have started to leak some oil. Not surprising for a 15 yr old engine. Obviously this engine is too old to warrant replacing all these seals.

I want to know what would be the best oil to switch to that would help the seals, I was thinking about switching to Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Full Synthetic. My grandpa said something about changing from 5W30 to something a little thicker to decrease leakage. Opinions on that? Will it hurt my MPG? I life in Ohio so we get very cold winters, can't go so thick it won't start.

Also, I have been a religious K&N oil filter user because for my 5K OCI the oil is always the cleanest with K&N. However, they are so expensive! Any suggestions on great filters but cheaper?

Thanks for the help!

CodyG