Switching oil from Dino to Syn

[bfrank81]

So I've owned two cars (gassers) that had 100K+ miles and after buying them I switched to synthetic oil. After a few months of running the new oil they leaked oil in a few different spots. My brother did the same thing with his 1500 Chevy pickup. His leaks pretty bad now. I've read since on the Internet this is common issue after running dino oil for a long time in an engine and switching.

So my question is does a diesel motor have the same problem? Does anyone have any idea how long or how many miles is too late to switch before you have problems?

[Dave]

Switch all you want between the two. Gasser or diesel.


Havent had the switching issues for 15 years or so

[bfrank81]

Originally Posted by Dave

Havent had the switching issues for 15 years or so

Really?!?! My brother did this in his truck like last year. His Chevy is early 90s. Are you saying that the gaskets are better than they were and no longer an issue?

Both of my cars were also pretty old when this was done.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by bfrank81

Really?!?! My brother did this in his truck like last year. His Chevy is early 90s. Are you saying that the gaskets are better than they were and no longer an issue?

Both of my cars were also pretty old when this was done.

Gaskets are way better for one.

For two being an early 90's chevy he probably had the leaks already you just couldnt tell because the leaks were clogged with sludge.


If you have an existing leak with a synthetic you will know it.

Synthetics clean every last bit of sludge out of your engine

[strokinpower]

Ive always heard if you switch to synthetic with a lot of miles on the vehicle it will find a way out but i switched over in my 2002 exploder with 70,000 miles and it never leaked....

[bfrank81]

Originally Posted by Dave

Gaskets are way better for one.

For two being an early 90's chevy he probably had the leaks already you just couldnt tell because the leaks were clogged with sludge.


If you have an existing leak with a synthetic you will know it.

Synthetics clean every last bit of sludge out of your engine

Yea ok so an existing leak that doesn't leak isn't a leak until you switch to synthetic oil. Say that 5 times fast!

So the chances still exist that you might not be leaking today but you will after switching the type of oil?

[BigOlDog]

Originally Posted by bfrank81

Yea ok so an existing leak that doesn't leak isn't a leak until you switch to synthetic oil. Say that 5 times fast!

So the chances still exist that you might not be leaking today but you will after switching the type of oil?

Sometimes you can go from one having a leak and not with the other. Its hard to say really. I have heard people going to synthetic then getting a little leak but after a few days it was gone. NORMALLY if you don't have a leak you wont get a leak.

[bfrank81]

So last night I laid up under the truck for the first time and I noticed some not a ton but some oil around the seal of the oil pan. As far as I know it has never dripped except the a few years ago under warranty the dealer replaced some seal because it was bad. I can get the exact name tonight. Could this be oil from then or from maybe oil changes or am I looking at a possible leak?

[jd4010]

Originally Posted by bfrank81

So last night I laid up under the truck for the first time and I noticed some not a ton but some oil around the seal of the oil pan. As far as I know it has never dripped except the a few years ago under warranty the dealer replaced some seal because it was bad. I can get the exact name tonight. Could this be oil from then or from maybe oil changes or am I looking at a possible leak?

I would suggest cleaning it up real well and then monitoring it. On my truck, which had a leak for years and countless trips to the dealership for repair, cleaning it up one day and I'd have a noticeable drip the next. This coupled with the dye allowed the dealership to FINALLY pinpoint the source of the leak and today it's clean as a whistle!

[bfrank81]

Originally Posted by jd4010

I would suggest cleaning it up real well and then monitoring it. On my truck, which had a leak for years and countless trips to the dealership for repair, cleaning it up one day and I'd have a noticeable drip the next. This coupled with the dye allowed the dealership to FINALLY pinpoint the source of the leak and today it's clean as a whistle!

That is kinda what I was thinking. So now the next question. I have enough AMSOIL oil to do 2 oil changes my plan, before this new development, was to do the first change today and tomorrow we are leaving on a 3200 mile round trip to FL and back towing a ~5K trailer. The truck is at 30K so I am about due for the next oil change (it has Ford MC oil in it right now).

If I leave it as is I will be a little bit over the recommended "Every 7,500 miles" for normal conditions from Ford.

I started thinking change the oil filter now clean the bottom of the engine really good and go on the trip. When I get back take a look and go from there.

I was hoping to start using the Amsoil oil on this trip but my fear is I have a small leak that becomes a bigger leak while I am a long ways from home. Thoughts...?