switching from regular oil to fully synthetic in a quad 4

[speedy]

is this a bad thing to do at 130k? the top end was rebuilt but im fiarly certain the oil pump ect wasnt, again, this isnt my car, its a friends, but she's worried about running fully synthetic in it rather then just regular oil, is there an advantage? or should she stick with regular oil? any info will help, sorry if this is a repost, thanks.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Quads don't like synthetic. Period.

You will develop leaks in places you didn't even know had seals. Seriously. Stay away.

[weba]

If my suggestion counts, I've never ran mineral oil on my Quads, and wouldn't even think about doing so.
Also I've never blown a Quad and never had oil related issues with one.

And I do give my engines Hell sometimes, but reward that with love using Quality oils and replacing filters with every oil change.

Currently using Valvoline Racing VR1 Full syn 5W-40, with massive oil cooler and 5 liter oil displacement, the oil temperature stays in 110c @ road course racing. Before the oil cooler installation i was running Valvoline Racing VR1 semi-synthetic 10W-60.

Granted that these are quite expensive oils, but as this is no daily driver, it can have the best available one in without costing too much for year.

For my daily drivers (including Quad years ago) I use Mobil-1 'Rally Formula' 5W-50, I think it's the only of the Mobil offered oils with good enough ingredients for serious use. Not sure is it offered in North America.

My 0.02€.

[Asylum]

My Quad has had nothing but Mobil 1 since I have owned it. Just turned 159,000 miles and has NO LEAKS at all.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

I guess we have to agree that some have had good luck with Quads with synthetic. I think it's a waste of time and I've seen many Quads develop leaks when switching to synthetics. Draw your own conclusions Speedy.

[90GTZHO]

I was gonna switch mine to synthetic, but i just put all new gaskets in my motor, and my crap dont leak....anymore I just run Mobil 5000 5w30 in mine. Never have any problems. Might still switch, but not sure.

[DTMAce]

Well if you have all new gaskets you should be fine. I think the problem lies more with those that have an already old engine, and then they switch developing leaks afterward. I have run nothing but synthetic in my Z since the warranty expired at 36k. Both of my vans have had nothing but synthetic since I bought them. But I have not owned a quad, so it may have its own unique issues with regards to synthetics, however if I did own one, I would most likely just switch to syn and not worry about it. *shrug

[woody90gtz]

I'm a firm believer in synthetic.

[indyyellow]

I have been on many car boards for varying car makes for ten years + now and most folks seem to agree that putting full Synthentic oil into a high mile car, 80-90k or better is not real wise, unless it rebuilt of course. As echo'd here they will tend to start leaking if is a old high mile motor even if it is in good shape.
Just my .02

[DTMAce]

Interesting.

My first van was 112k when I bought it, switched to synthetic, no issues.
My second van was 209k (kilometers) and again, went full synthetic, no issues with that one yet. The older van did use approx 1 qt of oil every 2k but it was consuming it, more than leaking it. The newer one loses approx a 1/2 quart between changes, which is normal for most vehicles with that mileage. But neither showed more leaks, or worse leaks then they already had before I bought them.

And my Z rarely drops more than 1/4 of a quart between oil changes, and it gets those every 4-5k. At 3k the oil is still gold colored. lol

As I said, it may depend on some of the engines, more so than their age. I would have to say that overall care of the engine and its maintenance goes a long way in determining how well it will hold up down the road.

[weba]

To put it on perspective, in this part of Europe, mineral oils aren't even sold widely, you can find it only from the biggest stores under cheapest\never heard brands. Not sure where it's used, maybe in farm machinery or something like that, not used on passenger cars commonly that i know.

If you have an oil leak, you are supposed to fix it.

[Barry]

I have been using mobile 1 synthetic and my engine hasn't blown up yet.

I use cheap no name oil in my nissan and it bounces off the rev limiter for hours at a time every few weekends. It didn't blow up yet either.

Who knows what is better

[3X00-Modified]

If you have an oil leak, you are supposed to fix it.

Best reply yet.

[SummitBalt08]

I always use Castrol GTX in the Cobalt.. When it had 9 miles on it the first day i brought it home, i drained the oil and put ACDelco oil filter and Castrol in it. I doubt i will switch to synthetic on that car since i do an oil change every 2 to 3 weeks haha. I would have wayy too much money in oil.. Its about to hit 70k miles, so soon it will be Castrol GTX high mileage lol.. I put 10 thousand miles on it since Feb 28th haha

Since the Beretta just got rebuilt im using Mobil 1 full synthetic and ACdelco filter.. I dont see why there would be a problem? Synthetic should help the motor last a bit longer right?

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Synthetic is MUCH thinner oil than conventional and in a variety of cars is KNOWN to cause leaks as it's able to "slip by" in places conventional oil won't. I've seen it, I've experienced it, and I know it. But , in the end it comes down to what you want to believe.....