SD Porsche Fan

I did a search and even revived an old thread but am still not getting the info. I'm looking for.

It seems to be well established that switching from regular mineral based oil to synthentics will reveal leaks in seals and gaskets in older cars. I have noticed that there are "High Mileage" synthetics on the market that claim to have additives and conditioners to stop leaks. So here is my question: Has anyone switched from regular oil to a high mileage synthetic and either - A) Had previous leaks stop. - B) Had new leaks surface. - C) Experienced no change [i.e. if it leaked before it still leaked or no leaks before and still didnt' leak.]?

I'll make this thread a poll to quantify opinions.

Tony K

Personally, I think the "synthetic = leak" thing is something that has scientific validity on a microscopic scale, is insignificant in practice/the real world, and got blown out of proportion by "teh interweb".

I'm always surprised at how many people worry more about disintegrating old seals than they do, say, their camshaft lobes and piston rings. If I ever had to choose between a better-protected engine that drips a little and a less-protected engine that will drip less, I'd always go with the former.

CO951

I switched from dino to synthetic without getting any leaks. I later went to a high mileage synthetic oil which didn't change anything. The only problem I had with the high mileage oil was I couldn't get it in the viscosity I wanted.

skene

I'm not sure if it's leaking out or burning up, but when I switched I started going through a lot more oil then I use to. I'm pretty sure it's burning through it since there are never any puddles on the ground.

SD Porsche Fan

Looks like a majority saw no change. Perhaps synthetic after dino oil causing a leak is more legend?

eohrnberger

I did have a little bit more oil consumption when I switched to 0W30, but I started changing to thicker oil. Now that I'm at 5W50 there seems to be no leaks or consumption at all, and yes, it's in my temperature range, so all is OK.

Rock

I went to the BMW dealer and paid 13.50 per quart of 10-60 Castrol Syntheic. No leaks, damn it was smooth smooth sailing! I like this oil! Its expensive, but its what they use in the M3's!