High mileage oil

I have 78k and signs of the timing cover leak. Thinking of switching over to high mileage oil which I believe has additives to swell seals and help with small leaks. Any experience with high mileage oil? What brand are you using?

 

I don't consider 78,000 high mileage. I'm at 224,000 miles and use 5-30 synthetic that I buy at Costco. The last I bought was $25 for two 5 quart jugs. No leaks, and I still don't add any oil between oil changes.

 

The additives in high mileage oils are designed to swell rubber style seals to stop leaks. The timing cover seal is silicone that didn't get dispensed correctly by the robot at the factory. You can't make a seal that isn't even there, swell...

 

Idk, for some reason high mileage oil hasn't some additives needed for a good full synthetic oil that these engines need, its not recommended. At any rate 78k isn't high mileage imo.

 

High mileage oil is more marketing fluff IMHO.

 

I hope this doesn’t derail the thread but does anyone know if/when the dealership changes over to high mileage oil when servicing a Tacoma?

 

I'm in for 'never'.

 

Thats what I was thinking lol

 

For what it's worth, I have a friend with a couple high milage vehicles (08 Wrangler, early 2000's Chevy Lumina). Each used about 2 quarts between changes. After switching to high milage oil they both use about 1 quart between changes.

 

Sounds like it’s no use to switch to high mileage oil since the timing cover is a different kind of seal. I’ve been using Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 full synthetic. Are some oil brands more or less susceptible to leaking? Guessing it’s not a good idea to go up to a thicker viscosity? Maybe a synthetic blend is better, what do you think?

 

0W20 is only available in synthetic... and I doubt going up in viscosity will stop or slow the leak. If you can't warranty it, then I would clean it off and monitor it. If it starts getting too bad, then there is always financial combustion...



Disclaimer: I am only joking about the financial combustion comment!!!

 

Magic elixirs don't fix leaks. Mechanical repairs do.

Keep it cleaned off and monitored, and the oil level monitored, as you decide next steps. It's not a gusher, so it should be safe to drive.

Make sure it's not something else, like th power steering pump, making the mess.

 

Mobil 1 high mileage full synthetic minimized the oil burning (normal in higher mileage vehicles per Mercedes Benz) in my ML500. Was running smoothly when I traded it at 165K. It won't fix a timing cover leak though. If that's your issue it behooves you to have it remedied promptly.

 

Sometimes those magic elixirs do help. Once had a power steering rack leak. I poured in a bottle of this lucus leak stop for power steering units leaking, and it did nearly stop the leak...at least for a good month before it starting getting worse again.

 

I use the Pennzoil High Mileage for my 2nd gen 4cyl with 213K on it...Just did a change yesterday..Got about 5.5 quarts out, put 6 in. Change interval was 7,600 miles this time...
Interestingly they have relabeled the product as "Synthetic Blend" in the last year..I have a 1 Q container I use to measure out the 6th quart and it still says the old dino label.
Amazon Bot
Old Label

$28 Pennzoil High Mileage 5W-20 Motor Oil, 5 Quart

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550045203-quart-5W-20-Mileage/dp/B01M65NJ6W


New

 

Oh, and this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3qFfAEp9AU