Synthetic days are over

[US to CDN SVX]

My poor SVX turned into a Siv. At least it took 86,000Miles of synthetic and then just like that the cam seals went in October and now my valve covers and rear main is just starting...

Anyone else running synthetic. These gaskets are a pain in the Arse to replace.

I run that Castrol High Mileage Oil in my other cars and it seems to keep the gaskets nice and soft so they seal.

[joe62890]

Mine has always had the oil changed at the dealership. Previous owner did it since the day she bought it in 1992. Put mine up on the lift day before yesterday to have the rotors and pads looked at only to find that the bottom of the block is covered in oil. Both the camshaft seal and the crankshaft seal are leaking. The car made it to 110,536 miles. I also need 4 news tires, rotors and pads on all four corners, as well as all new struts.

Anyone have a write-up on replacing the seals?

[AFBeefcake]

I have been running synthetic in my car since I got it with about 60,000 on it.
When I got it the valve cover gaskets were replaced. At 107,000 I had to remplace the rear main seal and the seperator plate. The valve covers are starting to seep a little too now.

[JaySVX]

I've been running Quaker State full synthetic 5w-30 since i bought my car. Winter oil is Quakerstate Full synthetic 10w-30.

It may leak a bit, but it always runs smooth.

[eviljay]

Synthetic is a beautiful thing to use... on a fresh rebuild. One thing I learned from my rotary days, old motors dont like it. If from day one it had synth it will be fine for the life of the engine, but on an engine that has had natural oil all its life is the quickest way to need a future rebuild, other than running with no oil at all.

[sicksubie]

I did my break in aith castrol GTX (first 1000 miles). After that it has been Mobil 1 all the way.....

[Crazy_pilot]

Synthetic doesn't cause the engine seals to leak. The molecules of synthetic oil are smaller and can find any small gaps in the seals more easily than conventional. It's common for high milage engines that have run conventional all their lives to spontaneously start leaking when changed to synthetic.

For what it's worth I run Amsoil or Royal Purple synthetic 5W30 in my car.

[Sir. Nate]

I've had syntec in my car for about 3 1/2 k miles

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by eviljay

Synthetic is a beautiful thing to use... on a fresh rebuild. One thing I learned from my rotary days, old motors dont like it. If from day one it had synth it will be fine for the life of the engine, but on an engine that has had natural oil all its life is the quickest way to need a future rebuild, other than running with no oil at all.

yep. as i understand it, synthetic will clean all the goop around the seals that keeps them from leaking on older engines, and then they will leak.

i think i read somewhere that if you have ~40k or more on your engine, don't switch to synthetic. all internet conjecture, but i've seen plenty of older engines leak with a switch to synthetic.

if its specified from the factory to run synth (new Porsches, etc.) use it - if not, save yourself some money (and potential leaks).

[US to CDN SVX]

I see the common link. I got the car at 65,000 and have run synthetic up to 86,000. Now she is pooring out. When I inherited her there was a generic oil filter and it was changed at the drive through oil change places Oh well. I have now learned. It makes sence that it would be fine if it had run from day one.

[US to CDN SVX]

Well put the Castrol high mileage in her today and changed the valve cover gaskets only to find the input shaft into the power steering rack is leaking. Man so close to a leak free car Subie wants $1200 for the rack! Must be cheaper in the states. Any aftermarket options? I guess where the input shaft goes in it is a non replaceable seal?

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by US to CDN SVX

Subie wants $1200 for the rack! Must be cheaper in the states. Any aftermarket options?

I recently paid $350 for a rebuilt rack (online from Meridian Auto Parts) and understand they can be had for less than that.

dcb

[US to CDN SVX]

Thank you!!!!