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synthetic oils - leak or no?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by bpu699, Mar 30, 2005.

  1. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #1 bpu699, Mar 30, 2005
    I have read most of the threads on here about synthetic oils, and would love to use it in my 87 testarossa...but I don't wan't to create any new leaks...

    This seems to be a debated point, but is there any scientific data on whether Mobil 1 causes oil leaks in a 20 year old car?

    I put it in my 76 911 s, and the car smoked and leaked like crazy, but that is only one example...

    Thoughts?
     

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  2. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Ryan S., Mar 30, 2005
    interesting. i just put this in my 98 audi with 76000 miles on it. and i swear its either eating oil or leaking it some where..
     
  3. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #3 parkerfe, Mar 30, 2005
    FYI, a TR came from the factory with synthetic oil as did all Ferraris since the mid-1970s. The word "Sint" in the recommended Agip SINT2000 10w50 oil is an Italian abbreviation for synthetic. I use Mobile 1 5w50 in my BB512i which will work in a TR too.
     
  4. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #4 bpu699, Mar 30, 2005
    Yes, but at some point these have been switched to dino oil - or at least most dealers recommend castrol dino. The seals are 20 years old - can you put in synthetic now?

    Anyone successfully done this? Don't want to repeat my 911 experience!
     
  5. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

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    #5 Artherd, Mar 30, 2005
    My 1988 750iL leaked like crazy both out the valve covers and through the valve stem seals, with anything from BMW's 5w30 Synth to Mobil 1 15w50. Now using Chevron 20w50 with good results.

    I suspect any engine that has been run on Dino oil for extended peroids of time will expierence seal shrinkage when switched to a synth.
     

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  6. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #6 parkerfe, Mar 31, 2005
    Well, my 1982 BB512i is 23 years old now and uses nothing but synthetic oil; Mobil1 5w-50 in the winter and Syntec 15w-50 in the summer and I have no leaks whatsoever. Since it came from the factory in 1982 with synthetic oil that is what I will continue to use.
     
  7. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

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    #7 jknight, Mar 31, 2005
    Switched from Agip Sint 2000 10w40 to Mobile 1 15w50 for summer. No leaks, or other problems, with either. Car is an '89 Mondial t.
    John
     
  8. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

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    #8 Challenge, Mar 31, 2005
    My '95 NSX sprouted small leaks (weeps) at the cam plugs and valve cover gaskets shortly after switching to Mobil 1. They were all replaced with the major; no problems since.
     
  9. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #9 Tifoso1, Apr 1, 2005
    When was the last time you had a major service done on your car? If you are about due for a major, I would wait until the time of the service as you would have new gaskets and seals put in. I was told that the reason some cars leaks with synthetic oil is that the gaskets and the seals were either too old or were not made to handle synthetic oil. Also, FYI, the Agip Sint 2000 10W-40 oil was a synthetic blend, not a fully synthetic oil.
     

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  10. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #10 bpu699, Apr 1, 2005
    Thanx for the replies guys. My car just had its major - but of course not every seal is replaced in a major...
     
  11. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #11 Tifoso1, Apr 2, 2005
    If that is the case, then you should be fine going to a fully synthetic oil as many of us has done. Do a quick search on the "Tech" forum on oil, you will find plenty if not too much information on the differences of various oil out there.
     
  12. Mojo

    Mojo Formula 3

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    #12 Mojo, Apr 2, 2005
    I went synthetic in both my vehicles and they have both got new leaks.
    Im thinking of going back to see if that fixes it.
     

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