Rear seal solution

[ted tcb]

Over the past few months, I've experienced the dreaded oil whiff at intersections ... it goes away with some highway running, but comes back with extensive city driving.

No big deal, just annoying .... I'm running 10w40 during winter months, and I notice some top end tapping on start up, for maybe 15 seconds, then she purrrrs nice.

No noticable oil consumption in the last 2000 miles.

On my upcoming oil change, should I go back to 10w30, and should I add some Lucas engine treatment for dry starts, or just snake oil?

Thanks ... and there's no way I'll fix the rear seal .... its just a bit of an odour.

[JasonA]

I'd try Pennzoil High Mileage, or Valvoline Max Life. I wouldn't bother with the oil "treatments". Admittedly, it will take a few thousand miles for a High Mileage type oil to penetrate the seals. I run Pennzoil High Mileage in my Seville and it's leak-free.

I would run only 10W-30, especially during the winter. Winter in Canada is not the time to try thicker oil, as that WILL delay the oil's effect on the valvetrain, and probably will cause tapping and clicking, etc. If you want to try a different weight oil in the winter, go thinner, like to 5W-30. Certainly no thicker than 10W-30. How many miles are on your engine?

[ted tcb]

My car has 80,000 miles, and I was wrong, I'm running 5w30 in the winter.

I just assumed the faint smell was a few drops hitting the catalytic converter and evapourating .... all fluid levels are topped up and no drips in the snow .... that's right, fresh white snow every darn morning up here.

It's time for another oil change .... the car only gets 600 miles per month, and my last change was 4 months ago, or 2400 miles. I'll get under the hoist and look for drips during the change .... I thought the faint oil smell was a common occurance on 97's??

Thanks for the replies, much apprecitated.