Hello everyone, please help me with the following: It is the general concensus the high mileage motors will develop a leak when switching to synthetic oil becasue the oil cleans the sludge out of the cracked seals, causing a leak. When using synthetic oil from the start, do the seals still crack at the rate. If they do, the synthetic oil will not develop any sludge and stop the leak. Therefore, will engines using syn oil develop a leak sooner? any thought are greatly appreciated.

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1999 XLT SC, bright red, 4.2l, 5 speed, MAAP stainless nerfs, Prime Designs bug deflector, Astro Euro-Lid II, Mobil 1.

 

New engines, and rebuilt engines should never develop leaks because the synthetic oil will be able to penetrate through the gasket to keep it lubricated and pliable. If you pulled a car apart that has had syn since new I would bet that the gaskets would look like they did when it was put together.


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Lube-Direct

 

I've seen synthetic oils leek in cars that have used synthetic since day one. Leaks developed before 50k. Most of these engines were LT1's, 5.0 HO's, and rebuild's. I have noticed a lot less leaks with conventional oil. I personally don't beleive synthetics really offer any benifit, not to mention they cost a lot more. I have read lots of studies and seen lots of leaks!

 

From all of the research that I have done on this subject...I am all for synthetics. They are MUCH cleaner than ANY conventional oil or blend. I have also heard that a car with high mileage should not have synthetic oil put in it because it will clean it out and cause it to leak.

I would bet that most of these leaks mentioned above were not caused by synthetic oil..but faulty gaskets or poor engine designs or even bad rebuilds. Most of the leaks plaguing the 97 4.2L F-150s and some of the 5.4L engines are from bad gaskets or bad engine casts....not the oil.

I have almost 3000 miles on this oil change (synthetic) and the oil is extremely clean..much cleaner than any conventional oil that I have ever used in a 5.4L F-150 engine (motorcraft oil filter). My 98 5.4L was not this clean on the rag with the conventional Castrol GTX 5W-30 I was using.

The price IS much higher for synthetic oil..but worth it to me.


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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Here are some links that I have collected and that other members have posted (not just about synthetic oils):
http://www.performanceunlimited.com/oilchart.html
http://www.goa-northcoastoil.com/tips/apisystm.html
http://www.fourfold.org/RoverWeb/OilFAQ.html



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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

I don't believe more leaks would be caused by synthetics. I found high mileage motors tend to use more oil so it's not economical to use them. I tried it and found oil usage went up. Maybe a heavier grade synthetic would work.

Henry.

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99 F-150 XL 4x4. RC Flareside 4.6 5spd, 3.55LS. gibson 3" cat-back, K&N Gen ll.Westin step bars.Ventshade window deflectors and bug deflector. rhino liner and a cool white shifter ball.

 

Dustoff, and whom ever is interested.

I have been updating the oil comparison chart, on my own, that is linked to above. It is in excel. I can e-mail it to anyone that is interested. All data is taken from manufacturers data and is up to date as of Jan 1,2000. Most of the oils listed in the old data have changed. I will try to post it below. Don't know if it will work but here goes:

Brand Type Viscosity rating Flash point (F) Pour point (F) % Sulfated ash % Zinc

Castrol 5W-30 Conventional 160 410 -27 0.9 0.1
Havoline F3 5W-30 Conventional 159 410 -45 0.85 0.1
Mobil (drive clean oil) 5W-30 Conventional 164 392 -36 0.8 0.1
Quaker state 5W-30 Conventional 155 405 -37 --- ---
Valvoline (all climate) 5W-30 Conventional 162 404 -39 0.66 0.1

Castrol 10W-30 Conventional 143 415 -22 0.8 0.1
Havoline F3 10W-30 Conventional 142 420 -45 0.85 0.1
Mobil (drive clean oil) 10W-30 Conventional 140 392 -33 0.8 0.1
Quaker state 10W-30 Conventional 140 412 -34 --- ---
Valvoline (all climate) 10W-30 Conventional 135 423 -36 0.66 0.1



Castrol 5W-30 Synthetic blend 156 410 -36 0.9 0.1
Havoline 5W-30 Synthetic blend --- --- --- --- ---
Quaker state 5W-30 Synthetic blend 152 412 -37 --- ---
Valvoline (all climate) 5W-30 Synthetic blend 150 425 -38 1.1 0.11

Castrol 10W-30 Synthetic blend 142 514 -27 0.9 0.1
Havoline 10W-30 Synthetic blend 145 425 -40 --- ---
Quaker state 10W-30 Synthetic blend 138 431 -34 --- ---
Valvoline (all climate) 10W-30 Synthetic blend 130 432 -38 1.1 0.11



Castrol Syntec 5W-30 Fully synthetic 172 455 -38 0.93 0.1
Havoline 5W-30 Fully synthetic 160 468 -65 1.1 0.1
Mobil ( One ) 5W-30 Fully synthetic 176 460 -54 1 0.1
Quaker state 5W-30 Fully synthetic 151 442 -45 --- ---
Valvoline (Synpower) 5W-30 Fully synthetic 160 467 -44 1.1 0.11

Castrol Syntec 10W-30 Fully synthetic 161 455 -32 0.93 0.1
Havoline 10W-30 Fully synthetic 148 482 -60 1.1 0.1
Mobil ( One ) 10W-30 Fully synthetic 162 455 -54 1 0.1
Quaker state 10W-30 Fully synthetic 148 442 -40 --- ---
Valvoline (Synpower) 10W-30 Fully synthetic 149 482 -44 1.1 0.11



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1999 F150 S.Cab 4x4
Northland Edition,5.4
Off road pkg. Fleetside
Black w/grey int.

 

Bob,

Can I assume the first flash point is centigrade and the second one is farenheight? And even so what is the point of these specifications? Unless I want to burn it for fuel.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip

 

Email me another copy, Bobbo. Thanks.

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage.
BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.
fordf150xl@email.com

 

Guys - Mobil oil company operates their R & D department for syn. oils. They operate several different vehicles for testing. Awhile back they announced that one of their test vehicles, operating day and night, has passed one million miles with no problems and no rebuild. Thats good enough for me.

I use nothing but Mobil #1 or other good syn.

 

Bob's F150--

Thanks for the update! This kind of info is of great interest!

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

I would like to see more discsusison on this topic. Wondering what the consensus is on synthetics, synthetic blends, vs regular 'ol oil. My 2000 only has 650 miles on 'er and I'll be doing my own routine maintenance. I plan to use only Motorcraft filters based on some shadetree mechanic input on other threads.

I notice Quaker State has a reasonable synthetic blend (about $2 a quart), same with Penzoil.

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2000 F-150 XLT 4x2, Sup. Cab - Amazon Green, 4.2L, 5 Speed, 3.55 Gears. No mods yet - but possible.

 

The cut and paste did not work the greatest.
cphilip: The first number is the viscosity rating, the second is the flash point in F deg. to answer your question, and or statement on burning it for fuel. In general the higher the flash point of an oil the greater stability it will have during its life within it's environment, especially when worked to a higher temperature. It is also an indicator temp. for thermal breakdown.

Fordman: when I get back to work on Monday I'll mail you a copy.
Note: I did only post this info for research data only. Not to sway anyone to use a specific brand or type of oil. Whatever oil someone wants to use is fine with me even if its Tech 2000 from W-M (No offence to anyone)

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1999 F150 S.Cab 4x4
Northland Edition,5.4
Off road pkg. Fleetside
Black w/grey int.

 

I have swithed cars over that have had 70-80 thousand on them and no leaking. I know that some cars leak no matter what type of oil you put in them.

I am getting ready to switch over some guy to synthetic that has over 120,000 on his Saturn, I guess we will see what happens. I warned him that leaks were possible, but I belive the good out weighs a little leaking from time to time. Just as long as it's not a major leak.

Good luck to all.

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Lube-Direct

 

msparks,
Keep us posted on that Saturn..if the synthetic does cause it to leak or not. I wanted to change out our 92 Mazda 626 with 117,000 miles...but decided not to for this reason.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99