I understand that it is pretty well a consensus that it is never too early to switch to synthetic oil, but is it ever too late? Would you reccomend switching at 23K? I guess that isn't really many miles, but I would rather ask than do something I would regret. What is the advantage of the synthetic oil?I changeb the plugs and seems it may have helped the cold weather backfiring a little. Need gas so will try the sea foam with next tank. Curt, I tried that "ride it like you stole it trick". I had gotten on a little before, but nothing like that, damn...... Now I rember what I have been missing. That succer flies.

It's too late when you've hung the for sale sign on it.

Amsoil has a cleaning solution that they recomend useing for high mileage vehicles before switching to synthetic from dino. I just know that it exists, I don't know any details as to its use.

Clifford

"They" (whoever they are) say that on high mileage motors it is not a good idea to switch to synthetic b/c it could start causing oil leaks at the seals that have a build-up or false seal from regular oil and synthetic "could" wash that away. I think if it applies at all it would apply to automobiles that haven't been well maintained and therefore have a sludge build-up and then synthetic is used. Anyway - go ahead and switch it. You'll be fine.

I doubt that there is a too late time. I switched to a synthetic at around 23,000 miles and she's a happy camper; no leakage,no seeps, no oil usage. And it quieted my valve train. The older synthetics did cause some seal shrinkage and leakage but I've heard that the newer synthetics don't. I guess if you change to a synthetic and your bike starts pissing oil on the garage floor, you could always tell everyone its a..... ahh you know....

I changed mine at 54,000 to synthetic. Whoops I guess that was a bad thing to do? Just kidding. I now have over 68,000 on it and she is running fine, no leaks, just runs great!!

What are synthetics?

Synthetic oil vs Conventional oil.

In some cases not all you can get some oil seepage when going from coven to syn oil along with a little more oil use too or a little oil use when you had none proper to running syn oil when using same grade oil.

I have seen this happen mult times ove the yrs when people swithced from conven to full syn oils in ,it can & does happen in some cases but not all.

The reason for seepage with syn oil is simply because the molecular structure of the syn oil is smaller then that of conventinal oil along with it also being a little more slick then conven oil too. Both of the things are the reason why syn oils seeps at times with older gaskets and or more worn seals when it didnt at all or not much with conventional oil prior to going to syn oil.

So the smaller molecules of syn oil can more easily find there way thru somewhat worn but still serviceable gaskets/seals/rings/valve seals & guides/ etc.

So if you would like to step up from a conven oil to a little more protection but dont want to go full syn due to that possible issue then try a semi blend of conven & syn oil.

Running the semi blend will get you some additonal protection from heat/scuffing over a conventional oil you looking for but with a little less risk of oil seepage or little more use because there are still some larger conventional oil molecules in that oil too that dont leak/seep as easy.

scott

I just switched to semi syn in my daughters car with 90,000 mi's on it, and it developed a leak. I don't know if it is coincidental but im switching back this weekend and hoping it goes away.