I was getting my clutch changed and the mechanic there mentioned some stuff called "Lucas" (sp?) that he typically adds to engine and transmission oil to prevent leaks?

Anyone familiar with this stuff or anything similar? Any feedback on such products?


thanks

 

Short answer: Don't use Lucas.

Suggestions for what to actually use and where you can do research:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=229362

 

I don't mean this as an endorsement. Each person will have to find out results for themselves. But I (skeptically) used auto-rx this summer on an old van that started leaking around the pan gasket. It almost stopped the leak completely. Just a tolerable amount of seepage now. I tried a high mileage oil 1st which slowed it down somewhat, but it really didn't seem to have a satisfactory impact. Time will tell if the rx fix lasts. If not, I'll probably spend the $$$'s to replace the gasket, but I wanted to try the lesser expensive solutions first in hopes of avoiding the more costly gasket repair later. I've never used Lucas, so I can't comment on that product.

 

How soon after adding the auto-rx did you notice any differences in the leak?

 

The problem with this stuff is, if it's thick enough to "gum up" a leak think about what it will do to your transmission.

If the car is old, use a thicker fluid (within tolerance). I've used the high mileage oil in my 91 beater to stop/slow down a small leak with great success.

 

I noticed the change right away. It got to the point where the engine was leaking about 1-2 drops of oil every night on the garage floor. When I changed the oil and added the RX brew, it never leaked a drop again. I've put 5,000 miles on the van since then and it is still "drop free". The top of the oil pan by the gasket will get moist from oil seepage, but thats it. I'm skeptical how long the solution will last since this is the first time I've ever used it. And of course in the back of my mind I wonder if there will be some other unintended problem show up later. But so far, the product seems to perform as advertised without any adverse consequences. The people at BIOG web site swear by it.

Frankly I elected to use this stuff because I suspected the leak was oil enduced, and not the result of a worn out gasket or seal. I've used regular dino oil in the van since new, and the outside of the engine was always bone dry. Then at 84K I put Val DuraBlend oil in for the 1st time. Thought I'd "upgrade" the quality of oil I was using with a synthetic blend. Boy was that a mistake. Within 1,000 miles of the change it was leaking. By the time I changed it out at 3,000 miles the drops were hitting the garage floor on a nightly basis.

Now you know the rest of the story.

 

Thanks.