This is what happened after I switched to synthetic oil @ 260,000 miles......
- Thread starter sakoluvr
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Ruiner
New member
some synthetics dont have additives that swell the seals as much as conventional oil does, so some people experience oil leaks after switching to sythetics (depending on brand). Mobil1 has an additive to swell seals to prevent this, generally if your car didnt leak before, it wont after, at least with most modern synthetics.
Ruiner
New member
most people hear that sythetics cause oil leaks because when it was first introduced they didnt swell seals as well as conventional oil. Thats been fixed for the most part with additives though, and people usually are just repeating what they have heard. Kind of like needing to change the oil every 3k miles, that may have been the standard in the 70-80s, but engine tolerances and oil additive technology have made that old rule not true anymore, most new cars can got 7-10k miles without an oil change
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people usually are just repeating what they have heard.This. I can't tell you how many times I have heard the warning not to change over to synthetic with a high mileage vehicle. I did a search a while ago on the T4R forum, and heard a lot of the same here too.
I am sure :happens: , but I think there is a problem to begin with.
that's what I thought...lol, this issue still gives me nightmares from the BMW forums...M3 synthetic or not....everyone had their own opinion.....
T4R2014
Elite Member
The synthetic oil causing leaks theory is as outdated as the 3,000 mile oil change interval.
I switched at 105k or so with no adverse effects. If anything, my valve cover gaskets may be leaking less than when I ran conventional.
Only thing I really recommend to is pick a brand and stick with it.
I switched at 105k or so with no adverse effects. If anything, my valve cover gaskets may be leaking less than when I ran conventional.
Only thing I really recommend to is pick a brand and stick with it.
JayRolla
New member
Sythetic oil is just what it is. Synthesized oil man made. Can be really refined crude oil or can be made from raw materials. So its just a better oil. Can be used on any mileage vehicle. Also people that still change oil every 3k miles are just wasting money, especially with sythetic since it takes longer to break down compared to crude oils.
hairysrunner
New member
I bought mine with 255,00 miles on it last Jan. it was leaking from the oil pan.
the dealer informed me that they put synthetic in it. the dipstick show at the least a quart to much. I put 5w-30 conventional oil in when I did the oil change.
the leak has stopped. I'm keeping a close eye on it though.
I read elsewhere on volvo forums, bob the oil guy forum and simple talk with people that synthetic can break down the gasket over time. Has anybody heard of that??
the dealer informed me that they put synthetic in it. the dipstick show at the least a quart to much. I put 5w-30 conventional oil in when I did the oil change.
the leak has stopped. I'm keeping a close eye on it though.
I read elsewhere on volvo forums, bob the oil guy forum and simple talk with people that synthetic can break down the gasket over time. Has anybody heard of that??
At least 1 quart over? Dang, that is a lot. Did you ever think that the excess oil may have had something to do with the leak? I can't see how regular oil would have fixed the oil pan gasket. I also would not take what the dealer said as the truth. He was trying to sell you a vehicle.
