Can Amsoil cause leaks??

[Dave Remillard]

I work with a guy that was an Amsoil dealer a few year back. He installed the oil in a car with over 100k miles on it (gas). It soon after developed leaks at different gasket locations. My truck has 105K on it. Has anyone had this problem or heard of it before as I intend to use the oil, but don't want to deal with oil leaks. He claimed the oil cleaned everything up so good internally that the gasket material was cleaned out also. The cracks that had been filled with oil sludge were cleaned out and that is why the oil leaks appeared. Thanks for any input.

 

[LSMITH]

Synthetics causing leaks stopped years ago, the seal conditioners in them today are as good as any other oil on the market. A leak that you have now can be significantly worse with a synthetic though for the same reason you want to use it, better flow characteristics. A synthetic can get through a smaller gap than petro oil. If synthetics cleaned out gasket material you would not be able to keep it in the engine at all. I think 99% of the leaks that suddenly appear when you have switched to a synthetic oil are leaks that were already there, and the oil is able to get out faster making the leak noticeable. MHO, hope it helps, at least until the amsoil boys get a hold of this thread.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Some body here could better explain the synthetic oil versus old hardened seals, but for the short end... . the seals in your engine harden over time due to their environment. Dino oil is not as "slick" as synthetic oil, so when you put in Amsoil or the like after quite a few miles, leaks can occur. This extreme technical jargon above makes me look real dumb, but I know some one will clear it up



I used Amsoil once in a 7. 3 diesel. It had no leaks prior to putting in the Amsoil and only had 75,000 miles on it. After running Amsoil once, it developed leaks that continued after switching back to Dino oil. I am not bashing Amsoil, I still think that if you use it right, it will work great, but I have yet to own a new engine to start off with the program.

Hope this helps,

Russell

 

[Don M]

Before I started using the Amsoil in my truck last summer I had a very dry driveway. After a few weeks, the front main seal started to leak quite a bit. The last few days I have been tearing my truck down (cylinder head and front cover to do the dowel pin) and we have found the leak to be coming from the front main seal.



Looks like the Amsoil was the culprit of my leak. The seal is not torn or does not have any holes in it, but still leaks like crazy.



Don~

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

On my restored Cadillac (see pointer below). I went to Mobil 1 synthetic due to relatively low operating time and long periods of sitting idle - while I had a few small leaks with the dino oil, the leajage became MUCH more with the synthetic. But after a month or so, the leakage returned to its original small volume and has remained low.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I have used synthetic oil in more than a few vehicles and at various mileages without any problem. I started using synthetics in my '93 at the 12,000 oil change and Amsoil the very next oil change. It now has 140,000 miles on it. My '93 has no oil leaks and uses about a half of a quart between 6000 mile oil changes. My oil analysis have always been excellant. In my '79 Dodge van I bought it with 90,000 miles and switched to Mobil 1 right away - no problems or leaks.



With all of the above being said synthetics do not cause leaks but they do find them. Synthetics by their nature clean internal engine deposits which have become a working part of the engine. As a result they will find a leak that was there but was covered up by these deposits.



Once you've converted to a synthetic and it has done it's job there is no turning back. A better choise might be a blended synthetic which both Amsoil and Cummins sell. They use anywhere from 20 to 30% synthetic blended with conventional oil and provide excellant cold starting and high temperature protection.



Good luck in whatever oil you decide to use.

Happy trails

Bob

 

[Pit Bull]

Why do you want to switch? Your engine will last just as long on Dino oil with the manufactures recommended service intervals. I've alway followed the old saying "Don't go looking for trouble or you might find it". Synthetic oil is needed for extreme conditions or engines that live on the edge. I don't think the Cummins qualifies, based on our pickup truck application. Like the 1,000,000 mile truck that was featured in the TDR. It worked all of its life pulling heavy loads cross country, almost on the road all of the time and it got over 1,000,000 miles on it using Dino oil and regular oil changes. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Deezul1]

I started using Amsoil about a 1000 miles ago with 145,000 on the truck and no leaks so far.

 

[Sled Puller]

Things I have personly switched:

1997 Dodge Cummins, 27,000 miles 5w-30 Diesel oil, 116,000 now, no leaks.



94 Geo, 80,000, ran out of dino oil twice, now has 0W-30, 110,000, no leaks. Burns a little, no shame for the abuse.



1973 Oliver Diesel, 3000 hours, 5W-30, no leaks(ran on Wolf's Head 15W-40 for 25 years, switching was no problem. )





1978 Cub Cadet 12 hp, switched to 5w-30, no more leaks than usuall! Burns a little, not excessive.



Late model Caddies, Olds, Lincolns

Buicks, Chevies, Dodges all 0w-30, no leaks.



If there is a small seap, it will get worse, but Amsoil synthetic does not cause leaks.

I have heard some guys have leaked or burned worse for about two changes, then it clears up. I have never seen this, so I can't vouch for it.





The Oliver is a good example of why to switch.

When it was below 20, get the ether and the jumper cables out, because it would not turn over. With the Amsoil, it fires up without ether. I was impressed.

Gene

 

['956Wheel]

I know of 2 PSD's, the neighbors '92 Chebby 1500, and my brothers Subourbon... . synthetic leakers... . BACK TO "DINO" for the Sub... ... ... The rest are in de-nile. . (river in the sandbox). Here comes the FIRE!!!!!!!!



My CTD w/Delo, 15/40... No Leaks, 165K. Towing and daily driver.



Mike

 

[Don M]

I got to add something here I found tonight. I just found my transfer case leaking from the rear output seal and the main silicone seal between the two halves. This was after adding the Amsoil ATF to it. Guess where the Amsoil is going now? You guessed it. In the drain pan. IN goes the old tried and true, API approved Dino oil.



Don~

 

[LandShark]

Here are a few comments about my experience with synthetics (not Amsoil). .





I switched to Delvac 1 at 120,000 miles (was waiting for a complete break in), from Rotella. No leaks prior, and no leaks now. Oil consumption seems to be the same (not enough to bother adding any at 6000 miles oil changes). The reason I switched was I was going on a trip where I expected temps near 0F at 8000'. The truck is much quieter at startup when temps are at 45F or below so I'll be staying with Delvac 1. Also mpg improved between 5 and 10%.



I also switched to Mobile 1 Trans fluid for the transfer case at 50,000 miles with no leaks now or then. I also run Mobile 1 gear oil in both axels with no leaks.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Oil leak

I had no leaks until I put Amsoil in my manual transmission and all was fine for a while and then all of a sudden the bell housing started getting a little damp. It got wet enough to be able to wipe a little on my finger so I could smell it and determine that is was gear oil. It never did drip. I don't understand this leak because it will come and go sort of. Right now I think it's holding pretty well as far as I know. Anyway all I'm saying is that I never had a problem there until Amsoil, which by the way is still in there.

 

[Sled Puller]

CP 98,

If you had never installed Amsoil, and it started to leak, would you blame the original lube?

There is all kinds of threads on TDR about axle seals, rear mains, etc. , leaking, going back under warranty and so on.

Nobody thinks to blame the oil, UNLESS it was changed to something other than factory lube.



When I had my 5 speed down last year, I found a leak had started on one seal. Just damp, no drips. The seal was installed incorrectly at the factory, sort of mashed and cocked sideways.

It was going to leak no matter what lube was in there.

Just something to think about.





Oh, and when should I expect all these leaks to happen? I'm at 117,000 right now, and dry.



More than I can say for my last vehicles, the leaking Chevys that I could not slow up enough to put good oil in.

I guess I should have blamed Pennzoil?

 

['956Wheel]

OH NO

Careful now, steady, easy boy, don't take it personally.





Mike

 

[CumminsPower98]

MGM,



I really wasn't blaming the oil for the leak. I had not even thought of that as being a possibility until I saw this thread. I was just throwing out what happened to me. I'm not going to pull the oil because of this. Maybe it was just time for it to start leaking. The only other leak I have had was the rear pinion seal. It was leaking when I got the truck and was installed correctly. It was worn for some reason. I figure it was a faulty seal because it was too early for it to be worn out. I have no idea why the front trany seal wants to leak. I have yet to Amsoil the differentials but it's coming when I can afford it.