Taming rear main seal leak with HM oil?

[Quattro Pete]

I've had a slight oil leak/drip from what appears to be rear main seal on my 5-er for many years now, but continued to just run normal BMW LL-01 approved synthetic in it (Pennzoil Euro 5w-40 presently). I'm at 94K miles right now.

Is running some kind of HM oil worth a shot in an effort to help stop/minimize the drip? If so, which synthetic one would you try and why?

FYI, the car is driven year round up north, so decent cold flow properties are still important.

BTW, replacing the seal is somewhat cost prohibitive considering the car's current value.

 

[Farmer]

Try some ATP AT-205 Reseal?

 

[BobFout]

You may find something like Redline will help. Or M1 HM 10w30 or 10w40 (You may or may not be comfortable using a 10w oil at below its rated temp of -13F.)

 

[CT8]

If additives don't work a proper repair would be in order.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Originally Posted By: Farmer
Try some ATP AT-205 Reseal?


+1

Take the cheap shot first.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: Farmer
Try some ATP AT-205 Reseal?


+2, that are liqui moly motor oil saver

 

[Quattro Pete]

I don't know if that's safe for VANOS.

 

[901Memphis]

Actually how much is it leaking? If it's minimal I would try Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 first, the atp 205 will work but it's not always necessary, possibly overkill if this is just a drip

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Actually how much is it leaking?

A few drops per week on the garage floor.

It is seeping more than leaking, really.

 

[901Memphis]

Try the Liqui-moly motor oil saver with your regular fill. Personally I consider it less aggressive than atp 205 and since it's made by liqui moly you know it's a quality product and not snake oil. It's in the sump of my 335k Nissan along with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 trying to reduce multiple seal drips on this beater so far it's helping

 

[DoubleWasp]

If you're not at the point of loss of drivability on this one, try a HM oil first, then step up if there's no reduction.

 

[rcy]

I had something similar on my 2006 MDX. It started around 200 000 kilometres. A seep that would actually run onto the exhaust and give me the lovely smell of burning oil. I switched to Valvoline Maxlife and it stopped. I now have 320 000 km. Recently tried Castol High Mileage and no change. Still no leak.

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: BobFout
You may find something like Redline will help. Or M1 HM 10w30 or 10w40 (You may or may not be comfortable using a 10w oil at below its rated temp of -13F.)


Redline was responsible for the rear main seal weep in my vehicle, after I switched back to Mobil 1 the weep started and never stopped.

I envisage it was the seal over swelled with Redline esters and never recovered after I switched back to Mobil 1.

No longer a Redline fan for street driven vehicles.