I am curious as to how much if any oil you should expect to see dissapear when switching from traditional oil to synthetic? Say at 100k. I have heard that during the switch that first run of synthetic will not only clean out some deposits and you will need a quick oil/filter change, but also sprout out any false stops created by mineral oil blocking some leaks. if that is true, not that i would expect to see synthetic pouring out of various gaskets like the fountains at the bellagio, but you know a drip here and there, i'm curious as to how many people made this switch and had a similar experience.

I just dumped my first 5 quarts into my rig and ran about 500 miles. I came out checked it today and I was about 3 quarts low. which was a bit of a shock. I am going to keep a closer eye on it this week and i have 11 more quarts of synthetic and a dozen oil filters so hopefully this is normal and not some major leak that occured in conjuction with my switch of oils. Thanks for the input.

 

3 quarts in 500 miles is not normal. Also in my truck the sump is 6 quarts so putting in 5 quarts will put you a quart low right off the bat. Do you see smoke out the exhaust at startup or under acceleration?

 

no smoke at all. i cleaned up everything in the engine bay and im monitoring it to see if i can see any leaks. i just had a coolant hose go on me last week. I'm not throwing any codes and it runs better than ever at least it feels that way on the pedal with the synth in now... could be in my mind.

 

tomorrow after some more of this snow melts im gonna get under the truck and make sure its not something obvious like leaking out of a loose oil filter or drain plug.

 

I've noticed similar consumption/loss. I've got 105K and change on the clock now and switched from mineral to synthetic at 104K. As far as I can tell in the past 1200 miles, I've consumed/loss a little over a quart, which seems to be just a little bit more than my 101-104K mineral oil interval.

Synthetic oil will find more leaks as it does act as a detergent. I'm going to clean the bottom end of my motor with some kind of degreaser when it gets warmer out and tackle the leaking then.

I have a feeling I'm leaking more oil than consuming. I don't have any smoke from the exhaust and my motor runs great just like yours. If you were indeed consuming oil, not only would you smell it, you'd certainly see it!

 

When I bought mine with 152,change I first changed it and used diesel oil, then at 155k I switched to Mobil 1.
She drank oil faster than I could pour it in.
It started to slow down then longer I drove.
Then she stopped using any oil before the 3rd oil change.
Now my oil pan gasket is leaking (187,change) and as long as I let the oil level stay at the "ADD" mark she does not leak.
I will fix it this summer.

So just keep a eye on the oil level and dont worry about it, she will slow if not stop using oil eventually.

 

I had a similar experience when I first switched. I was dumbfounded at the amount of oil that seemed to just disappear into thin air. It was fine by the next oil change. Go figure.

Just keep an eye on it. (like every other fluid in every other British vehicle!)

 

thank you Spike I remembering reading someone having similar troubles but couldnt find the thread, glad to know it is someone like you that drove the same course. I will keep an eye on it.