I spent a pretty large amount of time reading through the "which oil is best" debates in the archieves, and I decided that I'm willing to try synthetic Mobil 1 (I realize that there are some of you out there who don't recommend this). I have Mobil Delvac 1300 in there now and I'm just curious about the Mobil 1 stuff.

My question is this: Will adding the slippery synthetic cause my car to leak oil? I have NEVER seen a drop or stain of oil under my car EVER, but there are a few wet, oily and greasy spots under my car. Last thing I want is for this oil to break through a bunch of seals and have my car worse off than before I put the oil in.

Also, I was considering putting Mobil 1 in my 1994 Landcruiser (85,000 miles). Do you think it'll cause leaks in that car too? I have also never seen oil spots or stains under that car, and the underside is always clean.

Thanks for your opinions, I very much value all of them.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I put Mobil1 in my 300D at 203K and I leaked oil before, and still leak oil but not any worse. It didnt use any oil in 5,000 miles and the car loves it. Go for it.

John

Experiences vary -- generally, if you don't have leaks now, synthetics won't leak either. If you have slow leaks now, they may get worse. Synthetics are lower viscosity at low temps, higher viscosity at high temps.

In the old days (early 1970's) there were problems with seal shrinkage when changing to synthetic in older engines, but these were supposed to be solved by changes in the seals and an additive in the oils.

Give it a try and see -- you can always change back fi you get leaks.

I really dislike dripping cars....!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!