Can synthetic oil create leaks?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Windsor
Can synthetic oil create leaks?
I just bought an older 2001 Ultra. The bike has 70k and runs very well. I have always run synthetic oils in my other bikes from new. When I went to dealer to get supplies for a full service, they tried to talk me out of using synthetics in this bike because it is older with high miles and has only ever had Dino oils. When I asked why they told me that synthetics were much thinner and tend to create leaks in older bikes. I have heard about more noise with synthetics, but I have not heard about this tendency for leaks. Is this true? Would you have any concerns about switching over this late in the game. I just assumed by switching to synthetic would help prolong the life of this old beauty. As always I trust your opinions most of all. Thanks for any advice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,203
From: Oxford, Nc
I have virtually the same bike with 89,000 "no drip miles." I run Mobil 1 20W-50 synthetic, ( on sale at Auto Zone this month for $7.49,) Mobil 1 75W-90 tranny gear oil, and any cheap 10w40 mineral oil in the primary.
The Honda riders at the office would just love to find a leak on the old man's bike, but they're still waiting.
The Honda riders at the office would just love to find a leak on the old man's bike, but they're still waiting.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 739
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
It's been said that Dino oil tends to varnish more than synthetics. Sometimes this varnish tends to cover small imperfections that would normally weep a little oil. Synthetics usually have the ability to 'scrub' away this varnish after time and presto, you have a 'leak' that wasn't there before. So, did it create a leak or uncover a existing leak that was sealed by the varnish? Either way you now have oil seaping/dripping. I'd just run the synthetic and if any leaks appear, fix them and just ride the darned thing.
Last edited by Gearhead3; May 28, 2011 at 04:34 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
It's been said that Dino oil tends to varnish more than synthetics. Sometimes this varnish tends to cover small imperfections that would normally weep a little oil. Synthetics usually have the ability to 'scrub' away this varnish after time and presto, you have a 'leak' that wasn't there before. So, did it create a leak or uncover a existing leak that was sealed by the varnish? Either way you now have oil seaping/dripping. I'd just run the synthetic and if any leaks appear, fix them and just ride the darned thing.
Exactly. Synthetics have more cleaning agents added to them, and therefore clean the sludge from the case. That sludge/varnish may be what is sealing a potential leak in a gasket, and once cleaned, now you have a leak...
X2 Geahead... Fix it and ride!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 775
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
It's been said that Dino oil tends to varnish more than synthetics. Sometimes this varnish tends to cover small imperfections that would normally weep a little oil. Synthetics usually have the ability to 'scrub' away this varnish after time and presto, you have a 'leak' that wasn't there before. So, did it create a leak or uncover a existing leak that was sealed by the varnish? Either way you now have oil seaping/dripping. I'd just run the synthetic and if any leaks appear, fix them and just ride the darned thing.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 80
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From: Atlanta, GA
Been running synthetic oil in my 09 since new & no leak issues. When I had 13K on my evo RK I switched to synthetic and in 500 miles my base gaskets were leaking. I pulled the jugs & replaced the gaskets & have run dino now for 20K and no leaks. Just my experience.
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