Ok, I am still new to the board so be gentle. I bought a 92 camaro with the L98/auto with 102k original miles on it.

I have heard that a car with that many miles will leak oil if you switch to a synthetic. Is this true? If it is true, how can I protect my new ride from now on? Do the rules also apply to the tranny? Can I switch it to synthetic fluid without worry?

Basically, what are the pros using if and when they should not run synthetic?

Thanks in advance...

The Josh

 

It all depends.. are u leaking any currently? My car had about 200,000 miles when i bought it from my uncle, and he was using 10w-40 NON synthetic.. The day i got it i put Mobil 1 10w-30 full synthetic.. Hasn't leaked a drop of oil yet, i can go a full 3000 miles without even having to add a drop of oil, it stays at the full mark, with EXCELLENT oil pressure. IT all depends on how well the engine was taken care of. IF you don't leak\burn much oil, and keep good oil pressure, then sure go ahead and try it.. Just keep an eye on the oil level frequently!! and if u do leak, and u can't fix the leak, and u still want protection, try using a Half Synthetic.. or maybe some Royal Purple, there non synthetic oil is supposed to be pretty good.

Oh and welcome to the board!!

 

My father decided to switch his 91 caprice with 305 tbi over to mobil 1. The car had 90K on it. It had never leaked a drop until he put mobil 1 in. Its leaking from the front main seal. Mobil 1 is so good that is cleans away deposits that were preventing oil leaks. I guess he could switch back to regular and wait for the deposits to build up again. I think he is going to stick with the mobil 1 because it still is so much better especially at lower temps. He puts cardboard under the car while parked in the driveway.

 

Synthetic won't cause leaks, though it may worsen ones that are there.

Plan on spending a mininum of $20 an oil change with Mobil 1. That's what I use in my IROC.

 

ya, get mobil 1 at walmart, its about $9 cheaper there.. for a 6 pack

 

Yeah, if you don't leak, put in synthetic, and then start to leak, it just made problems you had already big enough for you to see. People have put in synthetic and it begins to leak some, the synthetic cleaned away the deposits. After awhile the synthetic conditions the seals and then the leaks stop. I switched to Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 in my '87 305 TPI Z28 and it hasn't been any worse than it was before. I'm thinking it's starting to stop leaking, although I'm not sure yet....

Also, the walmart here sells Mobil 1 in a 5 quart bottle for like 17.88 I think it was.... I think it was SuperSyn 5W-30 and 10W-30... might have been in other weights also, can't remember, saw it 3 weeks ago...

And be sure to use a good filter, I use the PureONE Micronic, it's metallic blue...

 

The WalMart here doesn't carry the big bottle and its $4.54 a qt.

 

Go there Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, talk to the Dept Manager, he'll be able to order some of the 5 gallon jugs.

 

I switched to mobil 1 In my other car (84 bronco 80K miles) about 5K miles ago and didn't notice any leaks.

 

does it matter what weight synthetic you put in? like is a 5w more prone to opening leaks than a 10w?

 

LOL, try buying a bottle of 15w50 Mobil 1 synthetic at my store (Do-Cut Sales and Service)

It's used in the hydro pumps of Toro and Great Dane commercial mowers, we sell it for $8.49 a quart.

 

Yeah, I couldn't keep the 5W in my car, the 10W does alright. Synthetic is cheap insurance, so I'm sticking with it.

 

Are there any other good synthetic oils, or is mobil 1 the best?
And do any of you use those oil additives that supposedly do you good, like X1R, etc...?
what about synthetic blends?

 

I'm sure someone will post a link to some testing scores between the major brands, but it was found that Amsoil reigns king of oils. I think Mobil 1 second place, though. No on the additives and blends.

 

I'm not sure if it caused a small leak in my car or not, but I think it did. It seems to be slowing though. I wonder if going back would stop it. I know synthetic is good for an engine though, especially Mobil 1.

 

I've been hearing complaints about leakage and consumption with Mobil 1 since I started using AMSOIL in 1983. Seems things haven't changed much in 19 years.

I had an oil pan gasket weep after I changed my 123k LG4 over to AMSOIL in 1999. 2 years and 20k miles later, when I did the mods in my sig, it was bone dry.

Mobil 1 isn't the "best", but it is the best you'll find on the typical discount store shelf.

 

Amsoil and Mobil are like the 2 best. When a dude like Vader says something I take it as correct and he likes Mobil 1 alot and I get the same from many other techs.