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  #1  
Old 09-29-2009, 05:33 PM
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Many leaks and possibly blow by do I change the oil grade?

Currently I am using 5-40W fully synthetic Total (Elf) motor oil, just had my second oil change using this oil. I am not sure what the previous owner used but since I started using this oil the engine just purrs! All valve lifter noises are gone and the old 603 engine is almost as quiet as my 2005 CDI!
There is a drawback to this, I started developing quite a few leaks, mainly from the rubber boot to the turbo...my thinking is that the oil from the top of the valve cover is getting into the rubber boot, or maybe the seals in the turbo are going bad? injection pump starting to leak a bit. Should I change to heavier oil grade?

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Old 09-29-2009, 06:25 PM
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Where do you buy Elf?

The grade of oil likely won't change it, but an oil with a higher aeromatic content (read: more solvents to swell the seals) will.
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Old 09-29-2009, 06:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babymog View Post
Where do you buy Elf?

The grade of oil likely won't change it, but an oil with a higher aeromatic content (read: more solvents to swell the seals) will.
I buy Elf oil at **********.com, note Elf is now Total (changed their name). It did absolute wanders on my valve lifter racket!
Do you have any suggestions on the oil with higher aeromatic content?
I searched the forum, most of the stuff I found was related to tranny oils.
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Old 09-29-2009, 07:13 PM
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I haven't looked it up in a while, but about 10years ago RedLine had one of the higher seal swell rates. I'm not even sure if I still have any of the research charts but wouldn't trust them to be current, I used to buy them from SAE and they're probably still available.

No idea where Elf falls in there.
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Old 09-29-2009, 08:57 PM
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Elf 5w40 is a great oil. Sounds like the PO was not using the correct weight or type of oil.
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Old 09-29-2009, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by lupin..the..3rd View Post
Elf 5w40 is a great oil. Sounds like the PO was not using the correct weight or type of oil.
I am using Total/Elf Quartz Energy 9000 5W40 fully synthetic oil. Seems to be the right one for the car. I think the previous owner was using an oil called Delo-organic oil, car sounded like a soviet made bulldozer. After just 2 oil changes it quieted down to almost the same as the CDI. I think I started having leaks because of the synthetic nature of the oil.
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Old 09-29-2009, 10:45 PM
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Synthetic oil does not cause leaks, that is a myth that started in the '70s when syn-oil was young and didn't have the correct properties to maintain proper seal swell. It changed over 1/4 century ago, but the myth lives on.

It is possible that the seals are so trashed, that they leak, but the crap oil that the PO used would sludge-up and clog these leaks, now the syn-oil with good detergent properties has cleaned the sludge-dams away from the seals.
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Old 09-29-2009, 11:26 PM
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That's good to know, now I can repeat that to every mechanic that tells me "you shouldn't use synthetic in a car older than 5 years it will cause leaks!".
The biggest leak I have is coming from the cold part of the turbo and rubber boot intake...how can you tell if the turbo seal is bad or if oil just gets in to the intake through the hose attached to the valve cover?
And where I can get the seals for the injection pump? I should be able to replace the side and bottom cover seals without removing the pump unless I am totally off here.
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Old 09-30-2009, 09:54 AM
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As far as synthetic causing leaks in older cars, it depends on the car. I've got synthetic in my '87 420SEL and my '88 560SL, and have absolutely no problem whatsoever. Neither one uses a drop, even on long hot extended trips.

However, I put synthetic in my '89 300E and what was moderate oil use turned into unbelievable oil use. This engine's achilles heel is the valve stem seals, and synthetic oil exacerbates the problem.
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Old 09-30-2009, 09:58 AM
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I will not run sync. straight,leaks bad.But in winter I use a diesel rated blend.

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