Hey Scotty!!!
I have a 1998 Lexus Ls400 with 228k
I and the previous owner have been running full synthetic oil.
Since the car is so old there a very high chance the upper and lower oil pan gaskets haven’t been replaced. Full synthetic oil is more acidic than regular oil. Older cars’ gaskets weren’t made to be able to handle full synthetic oil since it wasn’t very prevalent back then. Therefore, I was wondering if since they are older gaskets and I’ve been running full synthetic… if the gaskets may have worn out because of that? I know they are because they are leaking hahahaha but I was just wondering if that may have been the cause.
I obviously have the 1uz-fe vvti. I was wondering if the vvti solenoids may have been effected by the full synthetic oil as well. I’ve been needing to replace those becuase I get a vvti code in both banks.
overall the main question is should I not run full synthetic and just change my oil more often or should I keep running full synthetic?
Please don’t double post, thanks.
I've never heard of synthetic oil being acidic and I used to work in the R&D lab of a major oil company. (In fact all motor oils contain additives to fight acidity.) By 1998 synthetic oils were hardly new, dating to the late 1920s, though they did not become popular for general automotive use until Mobil 1 came to market in 1974. I run synthetic oil in cars over 50 years old with no problem. It's not unusual for decades-old gaskets to leak no matter what kind of oil you use.
Yes I would not run. Fedak that engine was not made for it and you will often get leaks and burn more oil
Thank u Scotty!!!