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89StangGuy
03-14-2011, 03:59 PM
I have a question with oil weight. If i have a car with high miles on it, and I'm using a lighter oil weight is it possible for the oil to seap through the main seals because of it's thickness?
94cobra69ss396
03-14-2011, 04:27 PM
I doubt that changing the weight will keep it from leaking if it already is. Did it just start leaking after you did an oil change or was it leaking and you're hoping you can go to a thicker weight to keep it from doing so?
89StangGuy
03-14-2011, 04:35 PM
I doubt that changing the weight will keep it from leaking if it already is. Did it just start leaking after you did an oil change or was it leaking and you're hoping you can go to a thicker weight to keep it from doing so?

It started leaking after i changed out the oil to a thinner weight. It wasn't leaking before.
94cobra69ss396
03-14-2011, 04:37 PM
What weight did you put in it and what did it have in it before?
89StangGuy
03-14-2011, 04:40 PM
What weight did you put in it and what did it have in it before?

I had 10w30 in there before, and then i had like 9 quarts of 5w30 laying around so i threw it in there. After i ran it for a while, i noticed that oil started leaking slowly out. Not very much but a couple drops a day.
89StangGuy
03-14-2011, 04:42 PM
I'm not planning on keeping it in there, just figured i had it so i would use it. If it's going to cause problems or a leak i will change it out right away. i Haven't been mashing on the gas, just driving like an old lady.
94cobra69ss396
03-14-2011, 05:19 PM
Wait. How many quarts did you put in and in what car was this? There is very little difference between 10w30 and 5w30. Not enough to be the cause of the leak.
Damian
03-14-2011, 11:15 PM
The only difference is on start up, once it's warm they are the same weight. Maybe you should try high mileage oil or add some Prestone oil additives.
89StangGuy
03-15-2011, 10:04 AM
Wait. How many quarts did you put in and in what car was this? There is very little difference between 10w30 and 5w30. Not enough to be the cause of the leak.


Well the engine capacity for my Volvo is 5.6 quarts. It's a 1996 Volvo 850r, 2.3 litre turbo. It does have pretty high miles on it 200xxx
89StangGuy
03-15-2011, 10:35 AM
Edit: It was 5w20 not 5w30.
enkeivette
03-15-2011, 01:02 PM
I wouldn't run a 20 weight if it was meant for a 30 weight. The second number denotes the thickness at operating temp. So your oil is thinner, giving less protection on your bearings.