I have a 2004 Discovery with 68,000 miles. Is there any reason I should not switch to a full synthetic oil? This vehicle has no leaks and I certainly don't want any. Please opine... Thanks to all!

 

Seriously consider using Shell Rotella's T-6 Synthetic, works really well with our engine. Also use a good, extra long oil filter like the Mobil1-301 , K&N 3001 or Napa's Gold filter for better protection.
Have you already had the 60K major service done?

 

Mike
The valve cover gasket was replaced at 42,000 miles but nothing else since then. I will look around today for service facilities with the Shell Synthetic. This truck is tight as a drum and solid. I will do whatever necessary to keep it that way. At 68,000 what other service should I have done? Thanks!

 

Insert laugh here ^! In all seriousness, you're incredibly fortunate.

Absolutely no question I would switch to a quality 100% synthetic like Mo1 0-40 or 15-50.

 

Tee
I had a 2002 Disco before this one... So, I can appreciate the "no leaks" laugh! =)

 

You are seriously lucky if you've got no leaks. I would do my best to keep it that way. Make sure you don't use dexcool anymore, use peak global and change that every 2 years. Stay on top of your oil changes like a hawk. Consider doing inline thermostat mod and maybe just maybe we will have the first non leaky Disco.

But that's not even mentioning the t-case.

 

if there's none under it, there's none in it....

 

I have an 04 with over 126k, and I thought it was leaking every where, which fortunately is not the case. I put Rotella T6 5-40 synthetic oil in it, I did the engine flush before changing the oil, the only place that is leaking now is the filter housing, which needs an O-ring. I was afraid that synthetic might bring more leaks to light, but after around 300miles there is no otherleak and the oil looks so clean that I can barely see it on the dipstick. I have always used synthetic (mobil 1) in all my cars (the new ones) and never had engine related problems or any leaks. Since disco's inveriably start marking their teritory, you might want to consider Mobil 1 high mileage oil, which has seal conditioner in it and might prevent leaks. I am not sure if rotella has any seal conditioners in it.

 

My 2002 Disco leaked like nothing I have ever seen or owned, and I have owned 3 old BMW's will oil and coolant issues. I will act on all the advice you guys have provided this week. I love my 04 Discovery and hope to keep it for a long time. Anything else I need to do service-wise, now approaching 70k miles, let me know. Thanks again for all of your prompt replies!

 

You must have a really babied Disco if it's only got 70,000 miles. That also has something to do with you not having leaks. Major service starts happening around the 100,000 miles mark. Check out Mike's thread on the 60,000 mile service and see if there's anything you can go ahead and do that might be a good preventative measure.