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#1
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Changing oil type: dino to synthetic
I have a 1992 300 TE wagon with 132K miles on it. I don't know what type of oil was used previously. Suprisingly this car has virtually not oil leaks or even seepage. I say suprisingly becasue I have another 1992 300 E sedan with 126K miles on it and it does have some oil seeping. I changed to synthetic oil Mobil 1 15W-50 in the sedan at 60K miles.
I'm just wondering if under the circumstance it would be best for me to just use dino in the wagon. Below is some information I got from checking this topic. From what I've read, the synthetic oil can remove deposits left by the natural oil. The concern is these deposits may be blocking leaks. So by switching, you end up leaking oil. Some people mistakenly blame the oil for causing the leaks. Switching to synthetic on a high mileage car? You may or may not have problems with leaks. Gasket and seal material has gotten better lately and the detergent properties of good synthetics are not as harsh as they used to be. It all depends on how much the sludge in your engine is acting as a seal for the oil. Not a viscosity issue WRT leaks. Synthetic oil has more detergent properties. It will remove the sludge that is plugging the leaks. |
#2
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I have done it on a 20 year engine with 200k miles that has never been opened, rebuilt or resealed in any way. Never caused a problem. I also started using it in my C280 at 60k miles. Now has 145k miles and still doesn't leak a drop.
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Ali Al-Chalabi 2001 CLK55 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel 2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record |
#3
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I have a '94 C280 with about 90K miles on it, and there is a minor leak on the head gasket that I'm monitoring. I'm keeping with the dino oil as opposed to switching to synth for the very reason you mentioned. If my motor was visibly dry I would make the switch.
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#4
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There are NOTHING but "old wives tales" etc. speaking against using synthetic oil. None of it is real.
Just do it.
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Kent Christensen Albuquerque '07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster Two BMW motorcycles |
#5
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Quote:
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Ali Al-Chalabi 2001 CLK55 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel 2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record |
#6
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I'm sorry you feel that way. Having done about 10,000 oil changes in my lifetime, and having seen this very thing happen first hand, I have a different opinion. Not a chance I'm prepared to take on my car, but by all means if you're comfortable do it on yours. |
#7
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John Roncallo |
#8
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From what I've read here and elsewhere, apparently the early synthetics back in the '70s lacked additives to swell the seals. So seals shrunk over time, the synthetic oil helped clean out gunk, and the "thinner" synthetics slipped out . . . thus the notion that "synthetics cause leaks on older cars used to conventional oil."
Nowadays, all the synthetics have seal conditioners to control exactly this scenario.
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* * -- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral) ('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream) Formerly: '97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino |
#9
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#10
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I just switched over to fully synthetic oil in my diesel I have nearly 287K miles on the original engine, and its entire life has been run on the regular stuff. After about 1K miles, the oil finally turned black, and I plan to change it at 4K miles. No leaks anywhere. I love it.
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1987 300SDL (324000) 1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000) 1978 Porsche 924 (99000) 1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000) |
#11
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Syn oils have better cleaning properties except for maybe diesel specific oils and is generally a finer oil.
In my opinion, if you have leaks or just about to, the syn oil will find them for you by cleaning your engine. Haasman
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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold '95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex '93 190E 2.6-Wrecked '91 300E-Went to Ex '65 911 Coupe (#302580) |
#12
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#13
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Ron,
What viscosity does your book call for? I have only had diesel MBs ... 15w-40 sounds a bit thick for a modern gasoline engine ... Regarding whether one should change to synthetic - this is easy one - of course you should, if you want the best lubricant with minor added cost. Synthetics are better in every way except price per mile - they do allow increased change intervals, but that isn't the best reason to use syn - the best reason is that it is simply better than dyno - in every technical respect.
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George Stephenson 1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet) former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car former 1985 300 CD - great car former 1981 300 TD - good car former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg |
#14
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Syn v. Dino
I changed my 420SEL to Mobil 1 after purchase @ 145,000 miles; no leaks in two years; I have no idea what was used previously. I think the syn may be too good for the easy service my car sees, but it makes me feel better, anyway. I change it annually (probably less than 2500 miles per year).
To each his own. |
#15
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Quote:
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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126 |
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