Too late for synthetic change over

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 19 Jan 2004, 10:21

I have a 95 850T that just hit 122K. Is it too late to switch to synthetic? I bought the car with 119K and it has been meticulously maintained.

I switched my Saab Turbo with more than 100K on the clock and after a few months it started to leak from every major seal. Mechanic said detergents or seal shrinkage or something. I went back to dino oil and it was fine for another 70K till I got sick of it and sold the car.

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Jan 2004, 10:33

I switched at 60k miles and everything was ok. "Take that with a grain of salt."

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 20 Jan 2004, 16:00

What are the benefits to using synthetic over dino? What about the1/2 and 1/2 stuff?

Post by **matthew1** » 21 Jan 2004, 15:47

Longer-lasting lubrication due to breakdown-resistant molecules. That's about all I'm good for, because I'm no chemist

.
Don't know anything about the half n half.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 21 Jan 2004, 22:30

I don't think its ever too late to go with synth. If you live in cold climates even more so.

Big question though---- is it good for turbo engines?

brianf

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 22 Jan 2004, 19:43

Anonymous wrote:I don't think its ever too late to go with synth. If you live in cold climates even more so.

Big question though---- is it good for turbo engines?

brianf

It's recomended in the manual....

Providing the seals and gaskets are good you cannot go wrong with the propper weight synthetic.

nightshift · Post by **nightshift** » 22 Jan 2004, 20:26

Don't waste your time with semi-synthetic (half and half), as you really are not sure how much synthetic is actually in there (very little).
I went to synthetic (mobil1) about 2 years ago in my 94 850 Turbo, and it started leaking out the main seal . Heard of this before, so I finally tried Valvoline synthetc, and leak is almost gone. Apparently, you get a varnish on the seals that the Mobil1 won't remove, yet the higher Valvoline will remove this, and let the seals soften again. Thats the way i am told on this, and it looks like it's true, at least in my case.

scookstlmo1 · Post by **scookstlmo1** » 29 Mar 2004, 00:39

Semi-synthetic comes recommended from Volvo, especially Castrol and my local dealer swears by it. Personally, I use it as well as Valvoline's version, and change my oil at 3750 miles or 3-4 months, whichever hits first.

With respect to S70 Turbos, my dealership tells me that you do not have to change the oil in the turbo charger, just the crankcase. Is this true? My S70 GLT, my second Volvo and first turbo, owner's manual doesn't say anything about changing the oil in the turbo charger, and even if it did, I don't know where/how to change it. Can anybody with any knowledge on the subject respond? TIA

Also, I haven't seen any Haynes manuals on the S70 yet, is there another that's recommended?

Steve

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Mar 2004, 11:13

Yes that's a good point -- there's always that 1.5 quarts or whatever that stays dirty during a normal oil change. This has irked me just by the oil color after an oil change! Don't know where the drain for that would be... maybe someone here will know.

Manuals: http://www.classicgarage.com/hayrepmanfor1.html

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 11 Apr 2004, 20:50

I switched over to Royal Purple synthetic on my 1995 850 Turbo at 105K. Now at 110K and it has not leaked at all. My Volvo mechanic has told me that using synthetic in a turbocharged car is a VERY good idea, due in part to the extreme temperatures reached. I'll have to ask him about that whole oil staying in the turbocharger thing though.