Oil related gasket failures

[Junkman]

I have been having my oil changed at one oil quick lube place for the past year. This last time, I noticed an oil leak after the change. Took it back today, and they said that the pan gasket was leaking. One "tech" claimed that it was a result of not using the "correct" oil. I use their standard 10W-30 oil and change every 3 - 4 K.... He claims that they have a "special" oil for high mileage cars (mine has 78K) that will seal gasket leaks after 4 oil changes. The brand of oil that they have in the cans is Valvoline, but I have no idea what comes out of the dispenser pump hoses as to brand. Presently, I have 1000 miles on this oil and it is still crystal clear and the same honey color, so I have to believe that my engine is preforming well and there is no combustion getting past the rings.. I have never heard of such a thing, has anyone here????

 

[jayhawkRoy]

If the oil pan gasket is really leaking, then I would replace the pan gasket, rather than rely on a chemical additive. I have seen advertising about high mileage oils, but don't recall anything being said about speccial additives that will expand gaskets to solve oil leakage problems. If you aren't losing a quart of oil between oil changes and aren't causing any environmental problems because of the seepage, doing nothing is also an option.

 

[KubotaBling]

the product for over 75K mile do swell gaskets more likely the gasket has "cycled" out meaning its wore out and needs to be replaced using a special product is not warrantied and a gasket ain't but 10-12 bucks compared to $1 a qt or more for years and still iffy if it will fix the mechanical problem. Only real product i've seen work is lucas steering fluid product would work due to high cost or replacement and lack of replacement fluid interval. My opinion.

 

[Larry_T]

I read in one of those many oil forums that the ad package has somthing to do with that.in this day and age he cannot call your car high mileage, Larry

 

[slowrev]

Heck that new high mileage oil will even fix the rust spots on your car body /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif My opinion is that that kind of stuff is a temporary fix but very well lilked by the used car dealers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Junkman]

Talked to a friend that is a service manager for a large Chrysler dealership and he is familiar with these products. Says that once you use them, they will expand the gaskets, but you can never stop using them. If you go back to a regular oil, he said that the gaskets will shrink up even more and that at that point, you will be replacing the gaskets on the entire engine. I will not be putting anything into the engine that will hurt it beyond what is already leaking. Easier to replace a pan gasket than all the engine seals....

 

[BIGUN]

It is possible you don’t even have a gasket on your oil pan. Many engines are being built with fewer gaskets than in the past. They use RTV sealant and tighten the pan up tight, metal to metal. Unlike with the old cork gaskets that could be retorqued after they had shrunk with age, the pan bolts will be absolutely tight and only removal and resealing or adding an aftermarket gasket will stop the leak.

 

[BXMMCC]

Nor would I comment on the possibility of a creatively placed wrench by the oil change salesman to cause a pan leak. And, I guess they're saying that their regular oil can cause leaks after you use it for a year? Boy, am I getting cynical in my old age! (Haven't learned how to use the instant faces yet, so please imagine that I used the appropriate ones!)

 

[RalphVa]

I'd check your PCV circuit. It could be partly plugged and causing excess pressure inside the crankcase.

Ralph

 

[fishman]

BXMMCC,

I think this is the face you were looking for: /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Or perhaps this one? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The instant faces are easy to use. Just click the appropriate one when your done typing, like this one: /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Presto, instantly inserted. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

O.K. I admit it, I'm an instant face junky. Somebody stop me! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif