old audi / synthetic oil question...

[Lawrence C Leung]

I switched to synth in both of my used Audi's, both around the as
purchased 90K miles. No leaks occured as a direct result of the switch.
The 4KQ had no leaks when I sold it with 180K on it, and my 200Q has no
leaks at 155K . Valve cover gasket leaks were caused by, the valve cover
gasket (both the old cork type, the new plastic one is MUCH better and
leak free). My new purchased VW had 30k miles on it before the switch.
IMHO, not a big deal to switch. And leaks are still better to repair
(okay, except front or rear main seals) than damage to the turbo or the
head due to coking of overheated "dino" oil. 

LL - NY

On Wed, 15 Nov 2000 12:25:48 PST "jim rose" <sf5ktq at hotmail.com> writes:
>howdy, all...
>
>searching the archives on this was like searching the word "audi", so 
>i'm 
>asking...
>
>i have heard mixed reviews of what one would assume to be a very 
>simple 
>thing: oil.
>
>I have an 88 5k turbo quat that i just bought with 216k on it. my 
>mechanic, 
>a very talented audi specialist, reccomended that i run dino oil or 
>maybe a 
>blend, he claimed higher useage wihh synth oil in high mileage cars.
>
>The list thinks otherwise...
>
>The problem is that a few have told me about the possibility of 
>synthetic 
>oil causing seal leaks in older cars, that have probably not had 
>synthetic 
>for the majority of their lifespan. A good freind had this happen to 
>his 88 
>M3 when he got it in 95 (90k) and wound up replacing oil pan and main 
>seals.
>
>I really want to run synth, but dont want to ruin the seals on the 
>car. If i 
>find it leaks, are the seals permanently damaged? or can you switch 
>back to 
>dino and call it a day. Are there other circumstances that could have 
>led to 
>this leaking? I have heard that synthetics had had a rep for this 
>leaking, 
>but htat it's been cleared up...
>
>Sorrry for beating the dead horse, but i figure better to be cautious 
>than 
>broke.
>
>thanks much,
>jim
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