Date: Thu, 20 Mar 97 04:35:08 UT
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes57@msn.com>
Subject: RE: Leaking synthetic oil?
I doubt that the synthetic oil caused your leaks. However, it resists burning
off the exhaust better than conventional oil and gives off that horrible
smell. I now have that problem with my "79 beetle.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
>From: vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu On Behalf Of SyncroHead@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 1997 11:38 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: Leaking synthetic oil?
In a message dated 97-03-18 21:59:30 EST, Frayed1003@aol.com writes:
> Has anyone had any experience with changing to synthetic oil. I read
online
> that synthetic will usually leak more at first because it cleans out all
the
> wax around your seals, leaving behind shrunken dry seals. It said in this
> article, not to worry because your dry seals will swell again and stop the
> leak. I switched to a semi-synthetic around 800 miles ago and my engine
is
> really beginning to leak oil. Does anyone know how long this should
last?
> Being that I have an air-cooled I am beginning to think I may have made a
> mistake, the smell is killing my girlfriend, she won't even ride in my
westy
> with me anymore.
I've used synthetic oil in 5 of my own personal vehicles and have never had an
oil leak. Really, never.
1. 1984 Rabbit GTi, switched at about 20,000 miles - no problems through sale
at 85,000 miles
2. 1986 Jetta GLI, switched at 5,000 miles (2nd oil change) - no problems
through totaling collision around 100,000 miles
3. 1982 VW Pickup-diesel (Rabbit style), switched at 60,000 miles - no
problems through sale at 120,000 miles.
4. 1988 Vanagon, switched at 5,000 miles (2nd oil change) - no problems
through today at around 120,000 miles
5. 1987 Vanagon Syncro, switched at 46,000 miles - no problrms through engine
replacement at 140,000 miles. In used replacement engine - no problems
through today at around 9,000 miles since swap. Engine had around 30,000 miles
when I installed it.
Good luck,
Jim Davis
87 GL Syncro
88 GL Wolfsburg
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