Rooster, David & Scott are absolutely correct in stating that synthetic oils DO NOT cause leaks. Because they flow better, they just leak better. Scott was also correct about synthetics being better for the seals. The synthetics typically run at lower operating temperatures and lower temperatures are better for everything in the engine. Heat is a huge enemy of anything mechanical and whatever you can do to alleviate it will pay huge dividends in the long term.
Also, your concerns about changing to synthetic with 78k on your '94. Your Explorer is probably in excellent operating condition and switching is OK. When someone is switching to AMSOIL, we recommend an engine flush to remove any build up in the engine. Synthetics have a natural detergent action that will actually clean the engine and keep it clean. I know some have posted that doing this has caused problems, but I have never had anyone experience anything bad. What can happen if you don't flush? The synthetic will begin cleaning the engine, carrying contanminents to the filter and plugging it prematurely. The oil will begin bypassing the filter and the engine will appear to burn oil. We have seen this happen after someone has flushed their engine. Most times just changing the filter and topping of the crankcase will alleviate this. Sometimes it has to be done twice. A clean engine is a lot more efficient than a dirty one.
jwrezz, AMSOIL is more expensive. We will never beat anyone on price (at least at retail). E-mail me and I can tell you how to purchase AMSOIL wholesale. As you probably read in the literature you received from AMSOIL, we offer extended drain intervals of up to 25,000 miles. Have been since 1972 and we back it up in writing. Do any of the major oil companies do that? We also publish the results of ASTM and SAE tests done by indenpendent labs in our brochures and in some cases put on the labels of the bottles. If any of these tests were not true, we would have lawsuits piled to the sky. But this has never happened. Our competitors know who we are. I work in downtown Houston very close to Pennzoil, Exxon, Mobil, etc. When I bring the name of AMSOIL up to their people, they know all about us. They just don't want anyone else to know about us because we are so much better than them. The Purple stuff is not what it used to be. We have taken oil directly out of a bottle and sent it in for analysis. The results don't reflect what is on their technical data sheets. Their racing oils are great for just that, not everyday use. Same as Redline. Great for racing, not everyday use.
Now a word about synthetic blends. Don't waste your money. There is probably less than 5% synthetic in it. The extra cost does not warrant using it, especially if your are changing your oil every 3000 miles. Also, those 5W-50 synthetics are pushing the viscocity limits. A range of 25 to 30 is acceptable (0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30, 15W-40, 20W-50). The additional amount of additives to achieve this wide range can cause the oil to break down faster even though it is synthetic. If you want to use a 50 weight oil, use 20W-50.
Gerald and I will keep everyone posted on his "experiment" with Mobil 1. The results at 5000 miles were very good.
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AgExplorer
95 XLT 4X2 4.0L OHV
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants & Filters
NGK Platinum Plugs
Jacobs Electronics Wires
