should i switch to synthetic oil?

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 26 May 2010, 14:32

I've got a 94 850 n/a with 151000 miles. in the last 12k miles i have done timing belt, pcv, plugs, wires, etc. nearly to stage 0.
I don't have any oil leaks although i burn through about a quart between oil changes. car runs great and has no hiccups except for an egr code. I am wondering if it would benefit me to switch to a synthetic or synthetic blend oil. I've heard about oil leaks springing up after the switch so I'm a little leary. there is still some smoke coming from my dipstick despite all lines being clear. I'm just worried about springing a RMS leak.
i use conventional 10-30 right now but am looking for suggestions.

Thanks
andrew

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 26 May 2010, 14:39

You can get lots of differing opinions on oil. My experience was that I switched to synthetic at around 180K miles on my 98 S70 N/A without any problems. (EDIT) I now have 194K and I use Mobil 1 10W40 High Mileage.

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » 26 May 2010, 14:56

I'd stick to what your doing. I put Mobil 1 in my 98 T5 because of the turbo. I try to go 5K or 6 months on an oil change, but allways change it sooner. So in my case, syntethic is probably a waste.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 26 May 2010, 15:47

I'd just use a good conventional (Chevron, Pennzoil, Mobil Clean, Castrol, and others), and change every 5000 with top-up as needed.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 26 May 2010, 19:46

The synthetic will be better for your car but it likely won't stop your engine from burning it up like it is now. Synthetics being bad is an old wives tale. I switched from dino to synthetic then back to dino (accident) and am now back to synthetic.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 26 May 2010, 20:20

Being your car is an NA, I would just stick with what you are doing. If you really want to switch, you should not have any issues. I switched to synthetic in my 850 Turbo when it has 188K on it and I did not have any issues with it.

jaredNYC · Post by **jaredNYC** » 21 Jun 2010, 09:54

96 Volvo 850 110,000 miles. I switched to Mobil One and wish I hadn't. I had never burned or leaked any oil but after putting that stuff in, my car leaked like a sieve. I've got oil all over the underside of the car. I switched back to old fashioned 10-40 and am hoping that the leaks will reseal themselves. Otherwise, I'm looking at replacing the Rear Main Seal and my cam seals too.... It will probably cost in excess of $1,000. I haven't checked my PVC yet which might also be the problem but I think that the synthetic oil was a mistake.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 21 Jun 2010, 11:17

Try using a "High Mileage" oil with additives that help swell the seals a bit. You can't really blame synthetic for the oil leaks though. If your PCV system is plugged it will cause leaks no matter what oil you have. And if your car has been on a steady diet of conventional oil with less than perfect maintenance intervals, you will get deposits building up that may eventually be cleaned away by the synthetic oil. When synthetic oil "causes" leaks, all it is really doing it uncovering an existing problem.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 21 Jun 2010, 15:13

::sigh:: Synthetic oils do not cause leaks. The leaks were there before you added the oil. Synth oils are just better at doing what oil is supposed to do, cleaning out and lubricating the engine. The Mobil 1 cleaned out the gunk that was holding your seals together. In addition, if your PCV is clogged then you really can't blame the oil for leaky seals.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 21 Jun 2010, 17:16

i use castrol synth

no issues and will keep using it cleaner helathier engine so far no gunk on oil filler cap and syth is a big +++ in cold weather

as far as price goes i wait for specials for castrol and end up payning close to a dyno oil, and i stock up

castrol + mann oil filters a happy combination