| Author | Message | ||
     D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 70 Registered: 04-2003 |
I'm curious about your experience with older Discos and switching to synthetic oil vs. regular... did it 'bring out' hidden leaks at all? Are oil leaks just about as prevalent with synthetic vs. without, or worse, or better? Also, any particular weights one recommends vs. the standard? (Temperate weather that gets hot if anything rather than cold.) | ||
| Brent (Silly_me) New Member Username: Silly_me Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2003 |
From all the debates I've ever read/heard the consensus was that synthetic didn't cause any leaks, but merely cleaned out existing leaks and reopened them. | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 782 Registered: 10-2002 |
I put syn in my 88RRC. It didn't leak any worse then before. If you have a troublesome leak, get it fixed. Have you checked out www.mobil1.com ? They have a FAQ site. | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 78 Registered: 04-2003 |
Thanks... will look at switching to synthetic, definitely, but must ease into a series of oil leak fixes first. | ||
| Chris Whybrew (Dcwhybrew) Member Username: Dcwhybrew Post Number: 67 Registered: 05-2003 |
I use mobil 1 synthetic in my 96 D1 with 90k miles. My seepage hasn't gotten any worse, actually it may have slowed down a little. I don't know why, or if the oil would have any affect. I have the usual rear main seal seep. I definitely recommend Mobil 1, I use 15w50 in my disco. | ||
| June H. Han (Junehhan) Member Username: Junehhan Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2003 |
Often, depending on the additive package, many synthetic oils have additives that actually can recondition old worn out seals which is why you may have noticed it slowing down a little. Depending on the condition of the seals, as long as they arn't too shot, what you've noticed happens pretty often. My dad's old 89 Honda Accord with 210,000 miles had oil leaks from 3 separate seals and was using 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. The car was totalled a while back, but several years ago, I got bored and changed the oil over to Mobil 1 just to see what would happen. During the first 3000 miles, it went through over 3 quarts of Mobil 1, but on the second 3000 mile interval, it slowed down to using only 1 quart. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 534 Registered: 11-2002 |
Mine leaked. 120K miles. Switched to Mobil 1. Still leaks. That's how I know it still has oil in it. | ||
| Ian Bentley (Ibentley) New Member Username: Ibentley Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2003 |
I changed my '87 RR to Mobil 1 at 100k miles. No leak problems at all, before or after. As far as the weight goes, I'd avoid 5W-50, at least in the summer. I got a lot more top end noise than I was comfortable with. No problems with 15W-50. If you're changing an old engine, buy a couple of spare oil filters. Got the idea from a posting here. Synthetic definitely cleans out the engine. I clogged up the first filter after about 1k miles. | ||
| Gerardo Garza (Gerry) (Mapmaker97) New Member Username: Mapmaker97 Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2003 |
D. Howell, I have a '01 Disco II that used to leak 3-5 drops a day when parked. I switched to AMSOIL at around 11,000 miles. As months past, the leaks slowed down. With 35000 miles on her, she no longer leaks. Now, I crawl under and notice that all the wetness is now dry. I think I agree with June, that synthetic products recondition the seals. I'm so glad that I decided against LR Dallas wanting to replace the rear seals. Good Day, Gerry | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 785 Registered: 10-2002 |
Gerry, if they were going to replace the seals under warranty, I would have let them do it... They do it now for free or you do it later... Amsoil makes a nice product, but it's no cure all. | ||
| Kevin Fedyk (Kovert) Member Username: Kovert Post Number: 67 Registered: 05-2003 |
I'm in the exact same boat. I bought the truck with 73K, changed the oil as soon as I got it (never know), and now coming up to the next oil change. The thing is I check my oil frequently, no change in level over this complete interval. I haven't even noticed a drop on the ground. I thought "hey, this can't be right", and am now contemplating switching to synthetic to get the engine clean again (see my sticking valve post, I know the oil won't help but hey). I don't want leaks to surface, but maybe the previous owner was that meticulous with his oil changes that his seals are nice and conditioned. Oh well, I'll let others (especially second and third owners) chime in on whether or not they switched late in the disco life. -Kevin | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 82 Registered: 04-2003 |
Chris, >I definitely recommend Mobil 1, I use 15w50 in my disco. How's that weight for Southern California weather? (Hot in summer, only mildly cold in winter.) Gerardo, >I have a '01 Disco II that used to leak 3-5 drops a day when parked. I switched to AMSOIL at around 11,000 miles. As months past, the leaks slowed down. With 35000 miles on her, she no longer leaks. Wow, at *11,0000*?! Hmm. I like the part about the leaks stopping as the mileage goes up (with synthetic oil). ;) |
