synthetic and leaks

[Pablo]

Synthetic oil does NOT cause leaks. Period.

Synthetic oil will however leak a lot more quickly from existing leaks. Older cars are naturally more prone to have more leaks.

Take from that what you will, and my anecdote is my 256,000 mile Volvo on synthetic oil for most of it's life with zero leaks.

 

[kingrob]

I'm sorry. I must have imagined all those previously non-existent leaks that sprang up after switching to synth. I guess they were already there, and the conventional oil was just shooting out invisibly.

 

[Pablo]

No, not invisbly. The conventional was just a) crusting up b) not flowing through the small gaps as synthetic oil can and does. The gaps were there, conventional oil couldn't escape.

 

[oilyriser]

My old lawnmower started seeping at the main seal wheen I used Mobil 1 Truck and SUV. Switching to petroleum 15w40, it stopped leaking. Every engine I have tried synthetic in, new and old, has started seeping, but it wasn't enough to worry about.

Dexcool antifreeze seems to have a similar property of finding places to seep out.

 

[jimcor]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
No, not invisbly. The conventional was just a) crusting up b) not flowing through the small gaps as synthetic oil can and does. The gaps were there, conventional oil couldn't escape.

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I believe the USGS said the exact same things about Mount Saint Helens recently.

I just love it when folks get technical.

'Crusting up'

 

[steveh]

I just can't believe that all of my oil leaks in three new cars were not caused by synthetic.I must of had each car in the shop every 6 months to get the leaks fixed. Never had a leak problem in any car after that using conventional or synthetic blend.

 

[bulwnkl]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
Synthetic oil does NOT cause leaks.

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I used to believe that, too. I would tell anyone who cared to ask or listen that same thing. Unfortunately, reality just became too irritatingly, persistently inconvenient.

Your Volvo, Pablo, is one miniscule portion of the infinitely large task of proving a negative. Good luck with that.

Perhaps you would feel better if it was said: Some oils cause leaks. Then you could more conveniently forget that those oils which cause leaks are usually synthetics.

Sometimes synthetics DO cause leaks. (That's a Period at the end of that sentence)

 

[y_p_w]

First - not all "synthetics" are formulated the same way. A PAO or Group III base oil has to have its tendency to shrink seals balanced with other "stuff" that counteracts the effect. Early synthetic oils weren't properly formulated for the seal materials of the time and would cause leaks.

I wouldn't flat out say using Brand X synthetic couldn't possibly cause leaks. It's not likely to happen with modern seals in good condition. Some owners of older cars have noted temporary leaking just because they changed brands or their regular brand changed formulation.

 

[baomo]

i don't see the big deal, if it leaks replace the gasket.

 

[y_p_w]

quote:

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Originally posted by baomo:
i don't see the big deal, if it leaks replace the gasket.

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Why didn't I think of that?

How much could it cost to replace the main seal, valve guide seals, oil pan gasket, etc?

 

[JohnBrowning]

Kev99sl, It is fact not an opion that quality automotive polymers do not react to common automotive oil or or solvents reguardless of their group. If the gasket material reacts that mean that your automotive OEM used low quality, low density junk material!! It is absolutely silly to blame a failed gasket on the oil used since they quite useing all one base type like all PAO with no AN or esters etc....

The seal is either cheaply made or it is damaged. Just becasue you cannot see that it is cheaply made or damaged does not change this fact! If LC,Neutra 131, Auto-RX,B12 Chemtool,MMO,Kerosine etc... do not kill seals or gaskets what makes you think that a lubricant that is made for automotive applications is going to be hard on seal.

If you had a seal or gasket leak after you put synthetic in it was not casued by the synthetic. That seal or gasket was already damaged. If you contact gasket or seal manufactures or polymer manufactures they can confirm this.

 

[johnd]

Say what you like, I switched over to Mobil 1 from dino on my Camaro at 27K and the intake manifold acted like it had holes drilled in it. The ensuing oil leak was so bad it ruined the clutch so i not only had to fix the intake, I got to re-do the clutch too. Honest. It didn't leak a drop before the change. After the repair, not a drop now either. I've heard too much anecdotal evidence of this happening to not believe it.

 

[acewiza]

It's pretty clear the syn oil will cause leaks under certain circumstances. If that is the only factor in the equation, then the oil caused the leak. Simple logic. I guess some just can't admit their beloved synthetic oil is not perfect in every way.

 

[Amkeer]

The synthetic oil did not cause the leak. Let me repeat, THE SYNTHETIC OIL DID NOT CAUSE THE LEAK! Now that we have that understood lets make this clear. Cheaply made windows leak water, improperly constructed homes leak water, improperly installed drain pans leak. Now do we go and blame the water for being defective since it intruded where it should not have.

In simple terms do not blame the oil for the shortcomings of your vehicle or your lack of common sense. I developed leaks when I switched from conventional to synthetic too, but I located exactly where the leaks were and corrected the problem. The problem being a leaky valve cover gasket that was hard as a rock! It should be pliable and not dry rotted. I fault Toyota for not making a more pliable rubber material that will last more than 8 years for the valve cover gaskets not the synthetic lube. I agree gaskets and seals should last at least 15 years or 300000 miles. Let your automotive manufacturer know when they don't make proper seals, I do.

All that being said neither of my vehicles leak full synthetic.

Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner,2.7 liter, 4 cylinder, Mobil 1 5w30 ODO 18000
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner,3.0 liter,6 cylinder, Mobil 1 10w30 ODO 98300
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer

 

[acewiza]

So maybe we should re-phrase the statement and say "synthetic oil leaks better than conventional oil?"

 

[jimcor]

I think we should stick with technical/scientific terminology and clearly state: Synthetic oil refuses to crust up.

 

[baomo]

quote:

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Originally posted by y_p_w:

quote:

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Originally posted by baomo:
i don't see the big deal, if it leaks replace the gasket.

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Why didn't I think of that?

How much could it cost to replace the main seal, valve guide seals, oil pan gasket, etc?

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main seal, valve guide seals, oil pan gasket would be $26.97 on my car.

 

[acewiza]

Sounds about right. And how long do you think it would take you to accomplish those tasks? Or better yet - how much for the cheapest independent local garage you can find? $50/hr? Pretty cheap, huh?

cough, cough....

 

[jimcor]

quote:

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Originally posted by acewiza:
Sounds about right. And how long do you think it would take you to accomplish those tasks? Or better yet - how much for the cheapest independent local garage you can find? $50/hr? Pretty cheap, huh?

cough, cough....

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Local gas station/garage. Good guys. Motorbike and Car freaks. $77 per hour. Sorry, I can't afford that.

 

[80caprice]

sounds kinda funny, but i just switched two of my pushmowers, one 6 and one 3.5 briggs...... both leaked some... the 3.5 around the breather, and on the crank seal at the bottom, and after using Mobil 1.....stopped almost all together

but it also seems funny, some people still think todays syn's, are incompatible with conventional..... which is wrong...