I have been considering to switch over to synthetic oil as well as doing a Sea Foam treatment. (I actually bought a can of Sea Foam over the weekend but am a little afraid to use it...)

In regards to synthetic oil: A good friend of mine who is a mechanic and has restored a number of classic cars (including rebuilding engines), told me NOT to change over to synthetic. He said that when an engine has driven with regular oil deposits are formed that become pretty much part of the engine. Changing to synthetic could dissolve those deposits causing leaks (I didn't ask where...) and potentially doing more harm than good. I then checked with a local rover shop and the owner of the shop told me that he has seen problems after changing over to sybthetic. He said he has seen a "sleeve drop". My mechanical knowledge is minimal, so I though I would throw it out in front of the guys with the REAL knowledge!

Last but not least, if what my mechanic friend said about synthetic oil is true, then what about cleaning out all the gunk with Sea Foam?? Would that not have the same potentially damagingeffect? Does anyone have experience in this? How about going syntheticfor the transmission and differentials??

Oh, and my Disco is a 2000 with 112K original miles. The engine was replaced 5K miles ago with a 2004 block. That engine now has close to 40K on it...

Thanks guys!!

 

Don't worry about switching over to synthetic. My 96 was ran with dyno oil it's whole life until about 107k miles (when I first got it, now has 125k). Yes it leaked a bit after the switch, but doesn't too much any more. Same for the seafoam. It's possible it can cause some small "harm" but the benefits greatly outweigh any bad things that can happen, the worst of which is usually a fouled spark plug.

 

Don't worry about what you were told, people have been switching to synthetics for years with no problems.
As for the Seafoam, it won't hurt anything, by the way, how are you planning on using it?

 

I switched to synthetic after almost 100,000 miles and have had no problem. It sounds like bad logic to just leave the leaks gunked up instead of finding them and fixing it...

 

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ics/Myths.aspx

Your truck will start to leak after you switch, but it will stop after a oil change or two.
What you were told are old wives tales.

 

Ive got relatively low miles....

47,000 in a DI
I made the switch to Royal Purple Synthetic about 200 miles ago, no leakes yet..
If it had 147,000 miles on it, Im not sure I would have made the switch..
I would have been too concerned about oil leaks.. (Rear Main/Front Main) but then again..
Im a scaredy cat just like you..

As far as dropping a Sleeve.. I think that is BS..

Transfer Case and Diff.. I switched to Royal Purple Synthetic and they got quieter..
I would do this especially if it has high miles..

Transmission Fluid..
Im sticking with Dexron III.. I dont like the Idea of "Mixing Fluids" and that is exactly what would happen by draining the tranny, and adding synthetic.. youve still got 6 quarts in the Torque Converter..

Brake Fluid, I did go with a Synthetic, but then again.. I completely flushed the system.. so there wont be any "Mixing" of the fluids..

SeaFoam.. Use it as an induction cleaner.. it will get rid of the Carbon Deposits on your valves..
Your truck will thank you..

 

I switched to Mobil 0w30 at 130,000 miles and it leaked a negligible amount and stopped altogether after a few thousand miles. The type of oil used in the engine could not possible cause an sleeve to drop. It is pressed in and no oil circulates between it and the aluminum block.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Thanks everybody! I am just a bit insecure about these "big" changes, especially after someone I really trust when it comes to engines / cars has told me it is not a good idea...

I guess I will make the change and once all is done I will let you guys know what happened!


Mike,
After reading up, I think I would be adding one can to a full tank as well as sucking it up with a vacuum hose. I would hesitate adding it to the oil and rather do a switch to synthetics, which would gradually remove deposits (?) rather than shocking the engine... I don't know... Any suggestions are welcome! I just saw your post in another subject about the 60K service and what is needed. I should be able to combine that with my RAVE CD and do that over a weekend. Probably after the Sea Foam right?

 

Disco Fuego you sound a lot like me. I have a 95 Disco I w/ 154k on her. after reading the posts and speaking w/ Disco Mike I did the induction cleanse and fuel treatment both with Seafoam. My Disco has been misfiring/stumbling and backfiring when accelerating through 1500 rpm. The treatments have made a noticable difference. The misfiring is still there but they occur lest often and are not as pronounced. The backfire is all but gone, it did it once in a 45 mile trip when it typically would have happened at least 6x that. I have also noticed the Rover running quieter with a better idle and a truer acceleration (no stumble or hesitation). First time user and I am a convert.
I am the third owner of my ride and it had always had dino, and I am guessing cheap dino. I do plan on doing the ATF cleanse but to date have switched to Valvoline high mileage (a synthetic blend) with no problem. I, like you, was told by a trusted mechanic not to go to a pure synthetic so I punted and went with the blend. There has been no oil loss and I may yet switch to synthetic after the ATF bath. Another bonus for me was that once the baby got to smoking after the induction cleanse it told me exactly where i had an exhaust breach, not something you hope for but I know it is there now. Hope this helped

 

Thanks again everybody! It makes me feel better to hear all your experiences. it does not take away all my doubts, but then again ... if something does go wrong, I have an excellent base of people I can rely on here on the forum!

Thanks!!