Hello all!
Well I was all gung-ho about changing my oil over to synthetic but recently read
of one who posted on this board about how his 850 began to leak like a sieve shortly after he switched. My 850 has 101,000 miles on it and I just purchased it 6 months ago. It came with the Volvo glovebox book and all up to date dealer stamps. I really want to switch but am fearful of what may result. It sounds from what I have read, as though it is a 50-50 shot at leaing or not. Anyone for
some re-assurance?

greetings,
wife's 94 850 turbo just began leaking, using mobil 1 syn. have changed oil several times, only purchased car about 1 year ago , 100k miles, seems to be leaking at filler plug , i will get new bolt or washer and tighten, has not leaked a drop until this oil change, strange, will check oy further,
good luck,
Frank d
south florida

I use synthetic in my 850 turbo. I bought it used at 50,000 miles. It has 80,000 and not one leak. HOWEVER, since you vehicle has a lot of miles, I don't know if switching will cause any problems. I venture to guess, the thread you read with the other person having sudden oil problems was not caused solely by synthetic oil. I am aware that some people do not recommend switching to synthetic if you've had dino oil because of the rings in the engine. But that tends to be information regarding older engines where the seals and rings were not very good. I guess my final advice is if you've done fine all this time, stick with what you have used and occasionally, use an oil cleaner before your next oil change. The synthetic does cost more.

Delgado

I switched over at 190kmi and have had no leaks.
--
'94 855 5spd 'Drew' 202,000 Miles

1997 Turbo 80k miles....

your fears are not grounded in reality...if a car "starts" leaking by just changing to synthetic oil then I guarantee it had leaks before...

Unless your seals are damaged or excessively worn, you should be just fine. I would do a flush with Amsoil engine flush before you switch over to syn. If your car has been well maintained, even with conventional oil, your engine should be relatively clean. Better synthetics contain a seal conditioner additive. I use Amsoil, among other reasons, because it contains a seal conditioner.

Look at it this way. If your seals are already worn or have excessively shrunken, then, you are on borrowed time anyway.
--
1999 S70 T5

I bought my 240 with 110,000 miles, switched over to synthetic w/out a problem.