I just discovered an oil leak and was wondering if the Lucas "stop leak" products would work? Would a heavier weight oil help as well? I have over 100K now so maybe I should be using a 20-50? Can it hurt?

From what I read on here I dont want to change the gasket!

Thanks

 

A liquid fix is not going to be much of a solution. It might swell the gasket and reduce the leak for a little while, but won't stop it. I would not run anything that heavy in your car.

It (engine) was not designed for such a heavy weight/viscosity of oil. We could get into all the technical reasons and I'm sure someone could provide all the scientific stuff, but in general it would not be within the tolerances set by the manufacturer.

 

I changed my oil today and decided to try Valvoline 10-40W Synthetic blend for higher mileage vehicles. I went with this weight oil as a compromise to see if it would take care of the leak. 5-30W is a pretty light weight oil and as the manual says its suggested for "better fuel economy"...so Im hoping the 10-40W will solve the leak or at least slow it......will let you know.

Yeah....20-50W would have been too heavy I agree. Dont want to mess up anything thats for sure.

 

probably not gonna probably need a new oil pan gasket

 

After about a week of driving with the Valvoline synthetic blend 10-40w the leak has stopped and has not yet come back. Im not sure if the oil change and a new filter that did the trick or this heavier weight oil but so far so good...no more drips!

I know this might not work for everyone out there but it cant hurt and might do the trick. As a side note my MPG has not been negatively effected at all...in fact it seems like Im getting higher freeway mileage. (I will post some pics)
I am surprised at these results but not complaining.

 

My 2004 X was also leaking at the back of the oil pan, I got under the car and tighten the oil pan bolts and it stopped leaking. The bolts were not loose but I was
able to get a little bit of torque on them -- I feel lucky...

 

You should! That's good to hear. I might go check the torque on my pan now!

 

hello everyone. although tightening the bolts to stop the oil leak sounds great it could cause more damage than good. the bolts are torqued to a specific measurment and tightening them too much could cause your threads on the block to strip or worse, snap the bolt off. torque is 25Nm for the oil pan bolts, so dont over do it. even at this torque, you can still tighten the bolts. its designed this way because the gasket is about a quarter inch of metal and has a pressed in rubber seal that is on the inside of the gasket. this seal is just thicker than the metal gasket by about a sixteenth of an inch, on both sides. therefore when bolts are torqued to proper spec with a new gasket, the inner seal is pressed between the oil pan and block to create air tight seal. after time it wears out and goes flat. this is why the pan leaks. that being said i have definately heard of others doing this and having it work...for a while. i would check to see if they are torqued right and then adjust if necessary.

 

Good to point out Stevis05. Your torque wrench is your friend. Now that reminds me to go check my lugnuts since the last rotation......

 

I have a 96 XJ6 that has an oli leak coming from the front of the engine above the crankshaft (not at the crankshaft). There's a plate/cover with three bolts. Under the cover plate there is an oil seal. Does anyone know what this seal is called so I can order the dumb thing? I've went through the repair manual cover to cover and the only thing I find close they call an intermediate shaft seal? Anybody know what that is and where the best spot to order one might be?

Any and all assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!