Synth did have some seal and leakage issues when first introduced, but those were overcome long ago.
Related to:
a. since intended for longer life, the detergent and additive packages were stronger and more aggressive to last longer. That caused some problems.
b. Anything that is new tends to remove some gunk that was there before.
c. Synth hold their viscosity better with temperature, so for the same rated viscosity class the base stock is thinner, so it leaked easier especially at lower temps or parked overnight.
I run synth in all my small 4 cycles, since they only hold a quart it is cheap to run. Also in the 2 cycles. cleaner, less carbon, easier to keep in tune, and I think way more protection, especially in boundary situations of high rpm and heat. Might have a bit more residual lube, but of course raw gas without synthetic lube is no better than raw gas without dino oil!
cars, bit mroe spendy, I am not sure of the value in my applicaations. I use 0w30 synth in the one without block heater.
75k as 'high mileage' vehicle, yikes, I only wish I had vehicles of that age. Currently at 292, 157, 170, and I think 110k
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