Doug's synth Q

[Al Powell]

"Doug Yoder" <yoderw at msoe.edu> asked:

I've been following the dino vs. synth debate.  It is said that "synth
finds leaks"... So, (completely hypothetically, since I can't afford synth
stuff anyway...) if I were to switch from dino to synth on an engine of
uncertain condition, and all of a sudden oil leaks start appearing, what
is the solution?  Replace every leaking seal?  Obviously the ideal
situation is to be the first owner of the car (but if I can't even afford
synth oil...)
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In that case, you have three options...

1) Fix the leaks (AKA: doing it right...we all do everything just right alla
time, ja shoor?)
2) Change back to regular oil and hope they go away.
3) Try a heavier grade of synth and see if the leaks are reduced. Frankly,
this is not likely.

Although I've heard a number of reports of engine gaskets leaking when
converting to synthetic, I have been buying used cars and changing them to
synth since 1977 and I've never had a problem with a car developing leaks
after the conversion. (Actually I should say since 1981, as I bought the '77
Chevy Monza Spyder new and it still runs great. It will be featured in
Hemmings Muscle Cars in the next few months...property of its second owner.
Wisht I could have kept it.)

I have NOT seen a car develop leaks in seals. There were reports of this in
early synthetic formulations, but the chemistry has changed and the oil now
contains seal-swelling chemistry comparable to dino oil, so seals are no
longer a problem. If you experience any leaks, they'll be in gaskets like
rocker arm covers or valley pans. Generally much easier to get at.

Side note - NOT due to synthetic, I have a 1993 90Q that has a bad leak
which I think is in the valley pan. This summer I'm going to find the leak
and tear down the engine until I can get at the problem and solve it. In the
meantime I'm running good dino oil because synth is too expensive to leave
on the ground, and because I don't want to make the problem worse.

Cheers...

************************************
Al Powell
apowell at gocougs.wsu.edu
1958 Fiat 1200 Transformabile Spyder
1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo
1993 Audi 90Q
1997 Chebby Blazer
1999 Chebby Blazer
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