Re: bmw-digest V9 #2134 - Synthetic oil in an older vehicle

["John F. Korzeniowski" <jkorzeniowski@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To All

I worked several years in the development of synthetic oils as a chemical
engineer.  It is my experience when synthetic oil is put into an older vehicle
one or two things may happen.  One, any wear on the engine will be held in
check.  I cannot say that no wear will occur but the rate of engine wear will
drastically be reduced.  Second, if the engine has an oil leak using a synthetic
oil will make the leak worse because the synthetic oil has a consistent
viscosity and a greater volume of oil will flow through the leak.  If your older
vehicle does not have an oil leak, I doubt that one will develop after synthetic
oil is put into the crankcase.
I personally began using Mobil 1 Synthetic in my E28 - 535i with 135,000 miles.
At 185,000 I have not had a leak at all.

Hope this helps:
John

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