Synthetic Oil

[pchast]

First... I don't know what was the cause. Its a 1980 Suzuki GS550L, not new but:

I always change the oil on my machines before storage. I changed to synthetic in the MC and
it sat in the garage for the last 6 weeks. I went out to use it today. It was so nice out...
The Oil Pan gasket was leaking on the pipes after I warmed the bike up.
I'll try to snug it up tomorrow.

Do you think that the change to synthetic had a factor in the leak? Was it the cool temp instead?
Should I start watching all gaskets? Is it best to just pull the pipes and change the gasket out?

Thanks,
Pete

[vennyroger]

As per my view synthetic oil is best for your motorcycle. This oil is a lot easier on cars which gives gas mileage and gives longer life than traditional oil. It also gives better good friction to some operating temperatures.

[Wrider]

Yeah it did. Synthetic has smaller molecules that are more uniform. If you're running regular oil then you shouldn't switch to synthetic. If you're running synthetic then it's OK to switch to regular.

[ddavitt]

I believe you might have experienced a random failure of a gasket more than a specific type of oil attacking the material the gasket was made of .

While the assertion of synthetic oils molecules being smaller is something that may well be true , even stands to reason it is . Gaskets are meant to seal , and if the synthetic oil is leaking , chances are it is from a defect in either the gasket , the surface it seals against or possibly a gasket that has 'slipped' out of place .

I've worked in the mechanical/maintenance fields for well over 30 years . If a gasket is leaking , look for damage to it or the surface it seals against . Synthetic oil should not leak from a properly fitted pan gasket . Its not a compatibility issue.

[GS_in_CO]

34 year old motorcycle- likely the gasket was hardened and the synthetic dissolved whatever was preventing seepage of conventional oil.
Chances are that if you changed back to conventional it'll still leak.

Synthetic is good stuff but.... it has issues.

If the leakage isn't a lot - I'd just live with it.

[pchast]

At the time I snugged up all bolts. I didn't find any loose.
It hasn't leaked there since and I still use synthetic.