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Should I run synthetic motor oil?

 
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Old 11-08-2004, 09:53 PM
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Should I run synthetic motor oil?

Well i'm trying to decide whether I should run Mobil 1 in my 3.4 with 81,000 miles or just stick with conventional oil. I'm just worried about the possibility of Mobil 1 causing a leak. I know my truck has run Amsoil in the past because there is a sticker on the dipstick that says "Amsoil synthetic motor oil do not add or replace without owners permission", but not sure how long it was used for. When I just had my timing belt/waterpump replaced at the dealer they said my front crank seal was "seeping oil" and replaced it. I know most of you run synthetics, so am I going to have any problems with Mobil 1 getting past any seals/gaskets in my engine causing leaks?
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Old 11-08-2004, 11:56 PM
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chances are if their is no problem or leaks now then it will be fine..... however if there are current leaks... then its going to leak worse.....
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Old 11-09-2004, 12:24 AM
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I switched both my Runners over to Mobile 1 syn and both were just over 88k and no leaks with mine.
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Old 11-09-2004, 07:45 AM
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Mobil1 is the best oil I have ever used...I switched at around 60K with no problems
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Old 11-09-2004, 07:47 AM
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I just switched to Royal Purple at about 135K miles. Purrs like a kitten.
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Old 11-09-2004, 10:55 AM
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I switched to castrol syntec at 88k and it leaked like a siv when the engine was pushed hard. I switched back to conventional oil and everything is fine now.
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Old 11-09-2004, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ChickenLover
I switched to castrol syntec at 88k and it leaked like a siv when the engine was pushed hard. I switched back to conventional oil and everything is fine now.
Was your PCV valve ever replaced?
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Old 11-09-2004, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 4x4Yota
Was your PCV valve ever replaced?
Yes. The majority of the leaking came from the rear main seal.
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Old 11-09-2004, 01:18 PM
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Oh, it seems like the 3.4's are not as prone to leaking with synthetic for some reason. It's good to know your leak stopped after switching back to conventional.
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Old 11-10-2004, 02:37 PM
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I switched my 3.4 to amsoil at um...177k miles! No leakies.
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Old 11-10-2004, 03:12 PM
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It seems like most of you guys waited until you had a good amount of miles on your engines before you switched. I've heard that I should wait until 50K or so before running synthetic. Is that true? If not, when can I switch? Is it alright to switch at the first oil change (5K miles)?
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Old 11-10-2004, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by UofATaco
It seems like most of you guys waited until you had a good amount of miles on your engines before you switched. I've heard that I should wait until 50K or so before running synthetic. Is that true? If not, when can I switch? Is it alright to switch at the first oil change (5K miles)?
Yep, it's fine to switch right away.

I got mine at 153k soooo..........
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Old 11-10-2004, 06:19 PM
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I switched to Mobil 1 synthetic at 90k miles on my truck. I have no leaks. I had no leaks with dino oil either but if there was a slightly bad seal somewhere the synthetic would have exposed it.
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Old 11-11-2004, 03:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ChickenLover
... leaked like a siv...
a "sieve" is like the thing you pour your spaghetti in to drain the water, like a colander, hence leaky

sorry, it's the English teacher in me
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Old 11-15-2004, 02:31 PM
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Chickenlover: Quick question. Are you the original owner and was the oil changed regularly before switching to synthetic? Just trying to figure out why some have leaking problems.
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