High milage / Synthetic blend oil

[the_dingman]

I just passed 70k in my 2002 VW Jetta and switched to a 'high milage' synthetic blend oil. After making that change, my car stopped burning the small amount of oil that it was consuming. Is this a good idea to go to on my 4Runner ('87 209k 22RE)?

Might it help the small amount of oil that leaks?

 

[hodgepodge79]

I was using Valvoline MaxLife for about two years in my 22re (290K). Recently, I switched to Coastal 15w-40. It's 1/3 the price, and I think it does just as good. The 15w-40's have lots of detergents and additives like the high-milage oils.

 

[the_dingman]

My only problem is that it seems that my Jetta is now leaking oil... I had two quarter sized wet spots in my garage yesterday... Unless it's still wet from my 4Runner a few weeks ago, but it's been some time since I've parked it in the garage... :dammit:

 

[axed existence]

switching to synthetic oil has been known to cause new leaks. i believe the reason is that the synthetic oil molecules are smaller. this adds to their ability to lubricate better (can get into smaller areas than regular oil) but also causes the oil to leak from areas that normally retained normal oil (they still may have leaked but very slowly and not enough to be noticeable on the ground of your garage)

hopefully that helps in directing you towards 1 possibility.

 

[obex26]

learned that going from conventional to synthetic or even hybrid only causes oil leaks as stated when it comes to high milage vehicles. tried it once was worste experience ever switched back to conventional and never looked back. even on my rebuild I only opted to use a lower weight went from running 20 /50 to back down to 10/30.... almost 650 miles and still clean will probably change out the oil this week...

 

[devldogs55]

I use Valvoline MaxLife 5w-30. 5 quarts of the synthetic is the same price as dyno at wal-mart.

About 12 bucks for a 5 quart. It is some damn good stuff. I have heard the claims that synthetic shows up new leaks... My theory is that synthetics and high mileage stuff has detergents in them that cleans seals and sludge and then you'll have old leaks show up again because they're not stopped up anymore.

I personally haven't had any problems on my 17 year old 3.0 with synthetic.