switch to synthetic?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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switch to synthetic?
ive had my truck for about a year and was thinking about switching to synthetic oil and had a few questions. the truck is a 2000 f250 with a 5.4 engine. it has 20,000 miles and has always been ran with conventional oil. i would like to switch to mobil one syn. but have heard a lot of people say that it will cause the seals to leak oil, that the oil will leak out of the drain plug, that you cant switch from conventional oil to synthetic after so many miles, that it will void the warranty, etc. others say itll run a lot cleaner, last a lot longer, and that the newer engines are all compatible with synthetic. my only experiece with synthetic was in an 86 ltd crown victoria and it caused it pour oil out everywhere. so im hesitant to use it in a new truck. i would appreciate any help. thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: houston
I changed my 97 F250 5.8L to synthetic at 38000mi. That was when I bought it. It now has 90000mi. on it and hasn't leaked a drop. Changed my Mercury Sable at 53000. It now has 61000, same result. If the engine is in good condition, you won't have any problem due to the switch.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
If your engine is in good condition with no significant leaks now, synthetic will work fine. If it already leaks, then syn will also leak and cost more.
Way back, at least 10 years probably more like 20, seals and oils etc were different and some people did have problems when switching from dino to syn.
I have never had a problem with syn. All my cars came into my posession with dino in them some as much as 40K miles with dino.
The modern dinos are very good, many are almost syn like. Syn appears to have the edge with temperature extremes and cold flowability. They also look good if you go for extended drains say no more than 7,500 in daily stop and go or tow. Some claim 15K to 25K but when I tried it long ago, the oil looked strange. With dino most people go for 3,000 or maybe 7,500 if they have mostly freeway driving and no tow.
Oil choice still seems very much a religious issue, you believe or you don't.
Good Luck, and change regularly whatever oil you use.
Jim Henderson
Way back, at least 10 years probably more like 20, seals and oils etc were different and some people did have problems when switching from dino to syn.
I have never had a problem with syn. All my cars came into my posession with dino in them some as much as 40K miles with dino.
The modern dinos are very good, many are almost syn like. Syn appears to have the edge with temperature extremes and cold flowability. They also look good if you go for extended drains say no more than 7,500 in daily stop and go or tow. Some claim 15K to 25K but when I tried it long ago, the oil looked strange. With dino most people go for 3,000 or maybe 7,500 if they have mostly freeway driving and no tow.
Oil choice still seems very much a religious issue, you believe or you don't.
Good Luck, and change regularly whatever oil you use.
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
20,000 miles is still new. There is no way that the seals are bad already, and if they are you are still under warranty.
I do have a problem with switching to synthetic with over 100,000 miles. My BMW uses three times as much oil (not external leakage) on Syntec than it did with Delo.
Jim
I do have a problem with switching to synthetic with over 100,000 miles. My BMW uses three times as much oil (not external leakage) on Syntec than it did with Delo.
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by jfsully
I switched from Motorcraft 5wx20 semi synthetic to Amsoil series 2000 synthetic 0w-30 at about 30,000 miles. I did not flush the engine when I did this and now have 97,000 on the F150 and quite happy that I did so. Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Red Line should all give the same results. There is no way that mineral oil will equal the performance of synthetic....ask any Petro-Chemical Engineer
OBTW, 3 posts, cheerleading for Amsoil... You aren't an Amsoil dealer are you?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by jfsully
Could anyone explain to me the resistance of some to use a full synthetic oil. I'm new here but have read some posts that use cost as the determining factor although they do not think twice about having a $20.00 oil analysis done on inexpensive mineral oil.
Contrary to what you might surmise from my various posts on the subject, I do not object to anyone using a syn. If they want to spend the money, good for them.
What I object to is the "Churchlady" superiority attitude that some syn. users seem to develop. The suggestion is that I am stupid and/or uneducated, because certainly, if I were as smart/educated as them, I would be using syn. too.
In reality, I have probably studied this issue more in-depth than most of them, and I have come to the conclusion that the cost/benefit is better using plain old cheapo dino.
You do your own cost/benefit and see how the equation works out for you.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by jfsully
Could anyone explain to me the resistance of some to use a full synthetic oil. I'm new here but have read some posts that use cost as the determining factor although they do not think twice about having a $20.00 oil analysis done on inexpensive mineral oil.
You never did answer my question. Are you an Amsoil dealer?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by jfsully
As for those mineral oil users they might consider using some of the money saved to purchase a dictionary.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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jfsully, okay, you wanted to ask-here I am. In what arena would you like for me to tell you in regards to synthetics? We can discuss wear metals, thermal stability, cold pump rates, linear flow characteristics, resistance to corrosion, coking, formation of sludge, add packs, film strength, you name it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
You see up by where it says jfsully, where it says "New User"? Well, it's just a ranking, based on how many posts you have. It means nothing really.
The difference is, my question, which you have yet to answer, does have meaning. I'm sure the mods will agree. So what is it, yes or no?
The difference is, my question, which you have yet to answer, does have meaning. I'm sure the mods will agree. So what is it, yes or no?