mechanic shop snafu

[///PCH]

I have a 97 M3.

Its used organic oil since day 1. I get it back from the mechanic today (oil change, etc). And I see (later) on the invoice that it was filled with 7 qts of Synthetic Oil (15w-50).

Doesnt even say what kind of oil.

I've heard a lot of debate about going to synth vs staying with what the engine was built to use (organic).

What can I / should I do?

I've heard changing to synth will make the seals leak, etc etc.

I've heard that it has no ill effects.

So.

Will this oil have a bad effect on my engine / seals?

Should I drain it and replace with with organic?

Next oil change can I / should I go back to organic?


Also. How long should it take to remove the front bumper, clean the K/N airfilter (dinan cai), and attach the bumper? What would the average price of that air filter service be?

I've tried to keep the post from a flame on the shop / venting.

Looking for some concrete info first :-\

Thanks.

[petar7408]

once synthetic is in there you CAN NOT go back! so from now on use it! its more expensive, like $2-3 more per quart, so that will suck but its not bad for your car at all... many new cars today require synthetic


mechanic should have asked before hand though- that is NOT good to play guessing games

[///PCH]

well @#$%&

Thanks for the info.

Everyone else seem to agree?

[Duckydos]

I would have told them not to use synthetic, if that was your preference, but that's neither here nor there.

The synthetic does not cause the seals to leak, rather it is less viscous(sp) and therefore "thinner" and is able to seep through any small cracks in the seals or gaskets. Monitor your oil level carefully over the next 3 months (until it's time for a new oil change) and add oil if needed. As for going back to organic... I am not so sure about that idea.

[///PCH]

thanks for the info duckydos.

First thing I need to find out is what brand was used.

Its sounding like im forced into using synth now, will have to wait and see on any leaks or problems.

[PeterBattle]

why if you have been using organic then you go to synthetic, why cant you go back to organic?

[kagadis]

Originally posted by petar7408
once synthetic is in there you CAN NOT go back! so from now on use it! its more expensive, like $2-3 more per quart, so that will suck but its not bad for your car at all... many new cars today require synthetic


mechanic should have asked before hand though- that is NOT good to play guessing games

Totally true, some newer models coming out (like Corvette) require synthetic rather than organic.

I would monitor the leak issue closely. A nice way to keep an eye on leakage is to line your garage or parking spot with some large plain white paper and make sure it covers the area beneath the engine. Keep it over night for a couple of days and see if any spots show up.

Sorry, don't know about the switching-back-to-organic thing.

[Rob ITR1035]

I'd be more concerned about the mechanic not consulting you first than having the synth in there. You may notice a little bit of oil consumption, if you do, you could switch to a heavier weight or back to dino oil.

One benefit of synth is that it increases the interval between oil changes, somewhat offsetting the increased cost.

I use organic in the type r, and change it religiously, havent had a problem

[petar7408]

Originally posted by PeterBattle
why if you have been using organic then you go to synthetic, why cant you go back to organic?

i wasnt sure exactly why..
i did a google search and (actually on a bmw forum or some sort) i found this person had this response:

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/topic....&TOPIC_ID=2304

[kagadis]

Originally posted by Rob ITR1035
I'd be more concerned about the mechanic not consulting you first than having the synth in there. You may notice a little bit of oil consumption, if you do, you could switch to a heavier weight or back to dino oil.

One benefit of synth is that it increases the interval between oil changes, somewhat offsetting the increased cost.

I use organic in the type r, and change it religiously, havent had a problem

Yeah, definitely. Most mechanics really aren't going to care to ask you what type of oil you use, they probably figure you're one of these car enthusiasts with too much time and money on their hands.
It's their job to fix your car the way you want it. If your particular about oil types, don't rely on the mechanic's psychic ability. Insist on particular types of perfomance products. They're just trying to bang out another problem ticket.

[///PCH]

Thanks for all the info.

Sounds like im past the point of no return. Will just have to stay with synth for now on. Hopefully the leakage will be non-existant or small.

I'm going to smack my mechanic tho. Last time I use him.

[kagadis]

Originally posted by petar7408
i wasnt sure exactly why..
i did a google search and (actually on a bmw forum or some sort) i found this person had this response:

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/topic....&TOPIC_ID=2304

I really think this debate about organic vs. synthetic oil and the potential to seep through seals and gaskets is kind of a stupid academic argument. Any kind of weakness in the engine seals and gaskets is going to become more evident as time goes on, regardless of the molecule size. If you're using a particular brand of oil because you're worried about it finding its way out of seals, you're worried about the wrong thing. More so if you own a better beast like an M3.

I spoke to some experts today about the "switching back" issue, they say that it isn't an issue and that you can do it. By experts, I mean people who race hotrods and are engine machinists (20+ years experience.)

[Tomato]

All the switching to and switching back stuff is old tales from the infancy of Synthetic motor oils. You can switch to and back now no problems. Stay synthetic its not that much more per oil change and its a little bit of added protection.

[PrinceE30]

I changed from organic to synthetic at around 80k miles on my 325E. For about a week I had some oil loss here and there (nothing major) and within the first 6 months had to replace 1qt. Since then I've been changing the oil once a year (I use Amsoil) and replacing the filter around twice a year and have had no problems...

In fact, the engine has been much smoother in the last year or so...excellent idle...no problems at all. I think you're making a bigger deal out of this than it is. Worry about the mechanic not asking you about stuff, not about how good synthetic is.

-Prince

[Ike]

In one of my cars I had synthetic in it for most of its life. Then I was given a whole bunch of organic oil so I start using it. 100k miles since the switch and no problems yet.