Re: Castrol Syntec Problem(?)

["Dahl, Dave" <dad@roadnet.ups.com>]

     I've been using Syntec for the last 2-3 years in my Quantum Syncro, 
     and I really can't say whether my oil leakage increased or not.  (For 
     one thing, I finally replaced the cam cover gasket last year.)  I 
     haven't noticed a lot of leakage, but it seems that *maybe* there is 
     more than I would expect (especially around that new cam cover 
     gasket).
     
     However, I don't think there were any oil leaks on my Volvo when I 
     bought it last fall, and now it seems to have developed one (around 
     the oil filler cap) almost immediately after I put Syntec in it for 
     the first time.  "Coincidence??"
     
     Interestingly, I'm about to switch to Mobil 1 for two reasons:  1) The 
     viscosity range isn't as wide (15W50 vs. 5W50), and 2) I thought it 
     would be more readily available than Syntec.
     
     BTW:  If anyone is getting their oil changed at those quickie places, 
     consider this:  They always told me there was nothing to grease on the 
     Syncro, but as all you Quattro owners know, there's a grease fitting 
     on the U-joint at the midship bearing.  I guess they only check the 
     suspension, since they may not be able to rotate the driveshaft enough 
     to get at any U-joints.
     
     - Dave Dahl  (dad@roadnet.ups.com)
     - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
     - '93 Volvo 850 GLT


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I've noticed that my 5000CSQ is leaking more oil than I'm happy with. It has 
just 70K miles and here's the interesting point - I'm using synthetic and I'd 
started with Mobil 1 - for the last 4/5 changes (at every 5K miles) I'd switched
to Castrol Syntec (mostly because it was easy to purchase at the local Price - 
Costco). It is since the switch that the leaking has started...Coincidence??
     
Meanwhile in European Car -
There was a blurb a few months ago about Synthoil, where a reader wrote a letter
complaining that the 50K miles with only filter changes was BS (I'd have to 
agree that 50K with a turbo would make me very nervous). The reply was 'we've 
used this on several cars with great results - no leaks, no wear at teardown...
     
The 'no leaks' statement got me thinking about what I was seeing w/Syntec.
     
Comments?
     
     
Mark Aaldering
mma@rt66.com