Changed my 10W-30 oil last summer to a semi-synthetic brand (Havoline) that I had used in many other vehicles for years with no problems. This on my '92 with almost 98K at the time, regular 3K oil & filter changes since new mostly with dino, a few after the initial break-in a decade ago with 1/2 synthetic & same brand dino, etc. Had been told my cam seals (and maybe the main?) would need replacing by the Dealer in a couple of the free inspection Saturdays they used to invite me to... This was 4-5 years ago. Was not a major leak by any means, never had to add any oil between changes. Just an annoyance.
Immediately after the semi-synthetic went in I noticed an increase in the oil leaking at the front engine cam seals/main (maybe?) with oil now showing up in the plastic front air dam. Even a few drips on the driveway... GRRRR! Changed out the PCV, new gasket on the oil filler cap. Filter was good and tight.
GRRRRRR!
Went back to dino at the last oil & filter change (1K miles ago), cleaned everything up underneath, and then the drips stopped immediately (!!), then the oil leaks which had shown before as a dirty residue on the bottom of the engine seemed to stop entirely!
Now this was progress! I went to the oildropserver Website Bob is the Oil Guy (previously mentioned in one of the previous postings on this thread) and will be taking my 1st application of Auto-rx out of the SVX tomorrow with approximately 850 miles on this treatment. Will be cutting the filter open and will post a new thread with my results. There is a specific application recommendation for seal leaks and it involves using dino oil AFTER the treatment to allow the seals to regain their original conformation. Auto-rx does not swell seals: it is supposed to soften & gently clean out the gunk that forms beneath the seal over time and the use of dino afterwards hardens the seal back up. My engine appeared to be very clean internally even before I began this process: oil never got really dark or dirty, filter had very little residue. What you can see from the outside, through the filler, on the drain plug and dipstick showed no signs of crud or varnish. But it is where you CAN'T see that I'm concerned about.
I'm also about 400 miles into the initial application in my wife's 420SEL which has significantly more miles on it than the SVX. It may need the 2nd application recommended for vehicles in excess of 100K. She's been driving the SVX to work for a couple weeks and is getting 23 mpg.
