Is 20w 50 oil too thick?
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jsmarine
New member
On sure you are already doing this; but my recommendation would be to buy several quarts of cheap 5w-30 oil and just keep topping it off until you can fix it.
But like Brian said and to answer your question, I doubt it would hurt anything.
I have been topping it off with 5W 30 but it dropped almost 2 quarts in 2 weeks and about 300 miles...
Too much for comfort.
Blitzkrieg
New member
The point is moot if you are losing that much oil.
You could throw in 30W gear oil and theoretically that might slightly (emphasis slightly) slow down the leakage but you are throwing out the baby with the bath water. ;-)
If your rear main is leaking that bad you are very close to doing a lot more damage than a couple quarts of recycled 10W30.
You could throw in 30W gear oil and theoretically that might slightly (emphasis slightly) slow down the leakage but you are throwing out the baby with the bath water. ;-)
If your rear main is leaking that bad you are very close to doing a lot more damage than a couple quarts of recycled 10W30.
Gerdo
New member
Run the recommended oil weights only!
The first number is the winter viscosity.
The W stands for winter
The second number it the hot viscosity.
Newer year engines have tighter tolerances than the older model engines.
Going to a thinner winter viscosity may not be a big deal. Going thicker can destroy an engine (spec'd oil: 5w30 and running a 20w50, not good). A thicker oil will not be able to get into the tight tolerances and provide lubrication.
Thicker does not protect better.
The first number is the winter viscosity.
The W stands for winter
The second number it the hot viscosity.
Newer year engines have tighter tolerances than the older model engines.
Going to a thinner winter viscosity may not be a big deal. Going thicker can destroy an engine (spec'd oil: 5w30 and running a 20w50, not good). A thicker oil will not be able to get into the tight tolerances and provide lubrication.
Thicker does not protect better.
Something that might be worth a shot, is to use a high-mileage oil that has seal conditioners. As improbable as it may sound, I've witnessed several engines with leaking oil seals, wherein such oils slowed and in a couple of cases even stopped rear mains from leaking oil, after being in the engine for a while.
Oils such as Valvoline Max-life, and Mobil1 High-mileage, are ones I've seen used to good effect.
Again there's no guarantee they'll work in your situation, but it's worth a try.
Oils such as Valvoline Max-life, and Mobil1 High-mileage, are ones I've seen used to good effect.
Again there's no guarantee they'll work in your situation, but it's worth a try.
