Re[2]: Castrol Syntec Problem(?)

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

     I'm going to respond to my own response here...
     
     After thinking about it overnight, I've decided that I can't 
     conclusively say that leakage increased when I started using Syntec, 
     even in the case of my Volvo.  The experiment is just too uncontrolled 
     (and too short) to make that kind of accusation.  But I'm probably 
     switching to Mobil 1 anyway.
     
     - Dave Dahl  (dad@roadnet.ups.com)
     - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
     - '93 Volvo 850 GLT


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     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