I have a 2000 TL which I bought used at 31k miles; I switched over to synthetic oil for about 3 oil changes (53k miles now). Now I have notice a few oils spots on my driveway. I check the oil plug on the oil pan, it isn’t leaking there, but it is more on the driver side, under the engine mount? Could the synthetic oil cause the leakage, since the past owner didn’t use that type of oil from the get go? I got a quote from a shop, to take the oil pan apart and do a reseal it for about $350? Any suggestion or ideas?

 

Wow, that seems like a lot just to drop down the oil pan. I couldn't imagine it to be very difficult at all and the gasket shouldn't be expensive. If you have the time and the tools I would look into doing it yourself. As for the leak, that doesn't seem right. I don't think that synthetic would cause leaks, maybe it's just bad timing. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

I have a friend that's a mechanic, he said that synthetic oil will find a spot that a previous very slight leak was at and make it appear to be larger and it will flow more. But more than likely the leak was already there and the synthetic did not cause it.

 

Myth: Mobil 1 will leak out of the seals of older cars.

Reality: Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. In fact, new Mobil 1 was tested in dozens of industry standard and OEM tests to prove its seal performance. It is fully compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 provides the same advantages as when used in a new engine. ExxonMobil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using Mobil 1. ExxonMobil also recommends following the automobile manufacturer's manual for the proper oil to use.

http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Mo...ics/Myths.aspx

I agree with chas22. The leak was probably there before.

 

Thanks guys for the insight and myth busting! I am just surprise that the seal would break on a pretty new Acura. You normally don’t see Japanese cars with any oil leak nor large oil consumption or burn out. I was planning to go to autozone and get a bottle of that “oil stop leak” but I think it will do my harm then good. Anyone ever add that in, and does it really work? But for 6 bucks, its better then a 350 dollar bill.

 

No! dont use it. Something doesnt sound right anyway. Are you sure its oil & not tranny oil? The pan gasket is actually the whole underside of the engine.

Have you been using oil? It could be the lower engine mount leaking.

 

what color is the oil? if its slightly reddish or purple..its ATF

 

Its motor oil (blackish, since its been 7k miles since my last oil change), i wish it was tranny oil (ATF?), therefore it would be cover under warranty from acura via 100k tranny warrenty.

 

Rhlieu,
Run at least one treatment of Auto-RX, and that will help if its a SEAL leak. Gaskets it may or may not have any effect on.

It is an ester based product, similar to the esters used in Redline oil. From my exp, it has no effect on viscosity nor does it alter the chemistry of the engine oil.

I've used it on cars having over 150K and switched them to syn after running Auto-RX with no leaks or consumption.

Check Bobistheoilguy.com Additives section for more info. One of our mods here, Xpditor, is using it on his Jeep with great success.

Michael

 

Where's it coming from? You wrote that it was more from the driver's side. I hope it's not your rear main seal.

If it's coming from in between the tranny and the engine it's your rear main seal. No additive will stop that from leaking. You'd have to get it replaced.

 

Auto-RX works VERY well in stopping seal leaks...Ask Xpditor...If I recall correctly, it stopped the rear main seal leak on his Jeep.

Lots of people on BITOG have had positive results with Auto-RX stopping seal leaks.

Michael

 

That's good info to know - thanks!

 

I got similar problem like this after i switched to sythetic and i notice oil spot lil small dip but not on driver side...it on front passenger side instead....hanvnt check it out yet.