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Synthetic Oil-- why can't you switch back/worth it?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
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viper69
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Re: Synthetic Oil-- why can't you switch back/worth it?

Post by viper69 »

rspi wrote:This is the most reasonable engine oil thread I have ever read. Lol

I purchased my DD with 189,000 miles, switched to synthetic after I serviced the PCV at 191,000 and now have 333,548. Have done 2 Blackstone oil samples, about to do a third.

My engine has never been opened and developed a leak which I have not fixed at about 300,000.



Thanks for this video. Previous to posting I thought the people who told me one cannot switch back to normal oil were spewing some "crap" because they wanted to make money. But Mobil has no incentive there as they sell both hah. So I'll go w/that.

They claim it doesn't affect seals. IF true, then why do people report leaks at times once they switched? I'm not convinced on this one.
Volvo 850 GLT 1995

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122,500 miles and barely broken in

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tryingbe
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Post by tryingbe »

viper69 wrote:
They claim it doesn't affect seals. IF true, then why do people report leaks at times once they switched? I'm not convinced on this one.
How would an oil affect seals? If the seal is in bad condition, it's gonna leak. Synthetic flows better than convention, so synthetic oil will appear to be leaking out faster and making a larger pool on the ground.

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Post by rspi »

My take on oil leaks is... synthetic oils have better cleaning agents, etc., so, it will start to clean away sludge, etc. If you have bad or weak seals, and there is some sludge built up around them, and the synthetic oil starts to clean that away, it will probably leak soon. My opinion... change the seals if they are bad. Did synthetic oil cause the leak??? A better question is, would you rather have sludge in the engine or a clean engine with leaking "bad" seals? I'd rather clean the inside of the engine, give it better oil, and fix any leaks.
Last edited by rspi on 19 Nov 2016, 12:43, edited 1 time in total.
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viper69
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Post by viper69 »

Thanks a lot guys that helps me a lot!
Volvo 850 GLT 1995

5 Speed Manual transmission

122,500 miles and barely broken in

Previous:
'82 Volvo DL Wagon, 4 speed manual
'77 Saab 99 EMS, 4 speed manual

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Post by abscate »

MVS....the only car forum where you can have an oil change interval thread without a flame war, or someone getting banned...

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Post by regent »

I realize I am running the risk of getting banned for exposing the deep secret that the engine oil DOES NOT appear on VOLVO's Lifetime Fluid List :lol:
Example of Precision: Measure with a Micrometer, mark it with Chalk, and then cut it with an Axe.
Disclaimer: We (very) seldom do that

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Post by abscate »

I did Blackstone on both my P2 and P80 Volvos this year. Mobil 1 with 7500 mile changes

Both showed that I could go to 10-12000 miles on those cars with oil still In specs. I’m sticking with a once a year on the P2, and using that oil for make up with the T5, about 1 liter per 2000 miles.

The T5 interval is 3-4 months on its usage schedule.
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

abscate wrote: 29 Mar 2019, 04:36 I did Blackstone on both my P2 and P80 Volvos this year. Mobil 1 with 7500 mile changes

Both showed that I could go to 10-12000 miles on those cars with oil still In specs. I’m sticking with a once a year on the P2, and using that oil for make up with the T5, about 1 liter per 2000 miles.

The T5 interval is 3-4 months on its usage schedule.
I think the max interval I would feel safe with is 7,500mi on full synthetic in a turbo charged vehicle. I'm kind of impressed blackstone said you could go over 10k. Are you running Mobil1 10w-40 HM in the T5?
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Post by abscate »

10W-30 Mobil 1 HM in the T5

We rarely breach 90F here in upstate NY, and when I am in the city, I take the Volvo Train down the Hudson in the P-Amtrak model.
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Post by erikv11 »

abscate wrote: 29 Mar 2019, 04:36 ... with the T5, about 1 liter per 2000 miles.
That is pretty high consumption for a white block, I'm curious what's the mileage now on that engine?
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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