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Old November 15th 09, 05:16 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.saturn
Oppie[_9_]
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Default Oil Additive to Stop Leak? Lucas Or 10W40? Head gasket issue

"Drooler" > wrote in message
g.com...
> lbbss wrote:
>> I have a slow leak in my saturn 2002 sl1 (80,000miles). The mechanic
>> thinks it is likely the head gasket. I get about a 1 or 2 inch
>> diameter oil leak on my driveway every day. Any product that you
>> could recommend? I the Lucas oil stabilizer any good? Or would
>> putting a heavier oil like 10w40 be a better idea to slow down the
>> leak, or is that bad for the engine? Or both? So far I don't see
>> any black smoke from my exhaust. Thanks.

>
> Make sure your valve cover and oil pan bolts are tight - if they require
> tightening expect a little extra leak as the oil is squeezed out and
> recheck. I have an 21 year old Astro van with 185K - it was smoking a
> little at startup. at a friends recommendation I started adding 1 QT of
> Mobile 1 at oil changes. By the 2nd oil change the smoking had stopped.
> Mobil 1 swells gaskets - so....


Didn't know about the mobil 1 trick (or that synthetic would mix properly
with normal mineral oil).

Head gaskets are a major pain (less so for sohc 4 bangers than dohc V6).
Valve cover gaskets are a much simpler solution if that's all that is
needed.

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