Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

[Jack Shellac]

I recently changed over to synthetic oil in my 7 year old Ryobi string trimmer. Shortly afterward, several of the gas lines started leaking at the fittings. Do you think it could be the synthetic oil or was it just a coincidence in an old trimmer? With the leaks starting in several places at once, it's got me to wondering. BTW, it has the clear plastic gas lines.

 

[ob]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Have you already run some of the newer ethenol gas in it this year with the non synthetic oil? I'm wondering whether the newer ethenol fuel may have contributed.Or,like you suggested,maybe it's just conincidence.The fact that so many leaks started at once though does leave one to shy away from coincidence.<br /><br />That clear tygon tubing stuff does seem prone to swelling after a spell though.Maybe the oil is the culprit.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

No. it was straight dino gas, just like I'd always used.

 

[ob]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Maybe you could get a newer sample of some of the clear tubing and submerse it over night in the synthetic fuel mix and see what happens.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

I'll preface this by saying that I don't ACTUALLY know what I'm talking about - but I've heard and read that synthetic oils (when used in the crackcase - not mixed with the fuel) will sometimes leak out of engines that didn't leak regular oils. Something about the molecules being smaller and uniform in size? Could this explain fuel leaking from your fuel lines (I'm assuming that your trimmer runs a fuel / oil mix)? I think it's more likely that the lines became dry and brittle enough over the winter that they just started to leak in which case it's not all that odd that they leak at both ends or in multiple places. <br /><br />I'm impressed with the fact that you've kept your string trimmer running for 7 years. I get 3 or 4 out of them and the carb is so far gone that they can't be adjusted to run right.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

If a motor has any oil seepage or a leak the use of synthetic oil WILL make it worse-FACT-.Your situation is probably similar though you may be the first to report it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Synthetics clean very well. Including sludge that may be blocking a leak. In other words, it may expose a problem. But it didn't create it. I mostly affects car motors with high mileage. I suppose that would apply to sterndrives and inboards. Haven't heard such about 2-strokes.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

I doubt the oil would clean something the gasoline wouldn't alread have cleaned. just a thought. Chief Chief

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

My vote? Coincidence. Buy $5 worth of new fuel lines and clamps and keep runnin' it.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Just for information, I read the instruction manual for a new Echo trimmer that comes with synthetic oil in the package. They say to empty the gas tank after use and never store it with fuel in the tank as IT MAY CAUSE LEAKS. I still don't know if it's the synthetic oil, the plastic line or what. I just know it never leaked with my outboard oil in the mix. I"m just sayin..<br /> Anyway, thanks for the info, guys.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Originally posted by Chief 100:<br /> I doubt the oil would clean something the gasoline wouldn't alread have cleaned. just a thought. Chief Chief

Hey Chief, we are in complete agreement on this one.<br /><br />The gas molicules are smaller than the oil molicules, and there isnt enough oil in there to cause any problems. MHO, Complete coincidence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Synthetic Oil Causes Gas Line Leaks?

Why change if its working fine to start with.