Oil change warning

[doctor al]

Just a heads up to maybe save someone else a bunch of grief .....
changed the oil in my 99 Vitara the other day. As I have about 20 times before, I bought valvoline 10/40 oil. driving the next day, I noticed the smell of oil burning on the exhaust pipe. looking under the car, I see oil dripping down everywhere. I discover the rear main seal, front seal, oil pan gasket, and valve covers are all leaking. dumped the oil and changed the filter and found the gasket for it swollen and soft.
I guess valvoline has put some additive in the oil that is incompatible with the seals and gaskets. Contacted valvoline, have yet to hear back. This really sucks. wish these companies would leave a product alone.
Alex

[gopher]

i can not find any reason why not?

[*Kiwi]

Obviously thousands of other car owners would be affected also.

Was that the Valvoline Premium Conventional Oil or Durablend?

[doctor al]

valvoline premium conventional 10/40 in gal jug. I saved the container in case I ever hear back from valvoline. I suppose it has a ID number on it somewhere.
No reply yet.

[CARGUY]

THANK YOU DOCTOR AL, MY 03 GRANDVITARA IS ABOUT TO BE SERVICED AND I WAS CONSIDERING THAT SAME OIL. RESPECT SA.(jamaican for thanks)

[Max]

Interesting!

The whole idea behind Valvoline's (and others) "seal conditioner" additives is to soften and expand old dried up seals and gaskets to aid in preventing or stopping leaks. I'm not sure why you had such a profound opposite effect!

It's funny to a point for me, as I JUST bought a jug of their Max Life synthetic blend, as it was on sale for $14 bucks for 5 qt jug at Wally World. One reluctant to go into the "Synthetic" world myself, due to the unnecessary expense and my belief in changing the oil at 3-4K intervals, period...I thought that I'd try one change w/it and see what happens. Now I'm not so sure!

I've used conventional 5W-30 Valvoline in the past w/no adverse effects!

Curious Dr. Al...did you switch to 10W-40 viscosity from a previous / normally used lighter weight oil, thus thicker now leading to higher working oil pressures that may have contributed to your leaks?

[doctor al]

Max, no as a matter of fact, I've been using this 10/40 oil for at least the last 20 oil changes with no problems. Still no word back from valvoline.
Odd thing happened yesterday tho. I went to the parts store for some gas line for mower. while there I started looking at the oil shelf. they had every valvoline oil but the 10/40. counter guy didn't know why they had none. hmmmmm

[doctor al]

On a side note, has anyone ever tried the Bar's leak engine sealer? I know, snake oil :-) but I don't have the money right now for the repair.

[Max]

Hmmmm...is right.

I suspect a "no foul here" response back from Valvoline.

Keep us posted.

[Max]

Bar's leak engine seal

It's the same (light distillate) seal rejuvenating oil additive that APPEARS to have swollen your current gasket situation, so I don't know if it would help.