🚀 go-pugleaf

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I have heard from more than one source now, that before using  syn-
thetic  oil,  the  engine  should have 6K to 8K miles so the engine
could properly "break in," "seat," or "become seasoned."

What exactly do these terms mean, anyway?  Is it necessary  for  an
engine  to wear out to a certain degree before the process is stop-
ped with a changeover to synthetic oil?

It would seem to me that as  an  engine  wears,  tolerances  become
greater, that is, parts fit more loosely and thereby no longer pro-
perly seal.  For instance, oil leaks past rings into the combustion
chamber, oil leaks past valve guides, gasoline and burnt byproducts
blow past the rings into the oil, tappets start making noise, etc.,
etc., all to a greater degree in engines that have more wear.

I had 400 miles on my 1981 Buick when I changed to  synthetic.   It
now has 95K more miles on, with no increase in oil consumption.  It
uses about 1 quart every 4K to 5K miles now as it did when  it  was
new.   Should  I  be  concerned  that  my engine was never properly
"broken inIIIe

BTW, what is the difference between an "engine" and  a  "motor?"  I
always understood a motor to be an electric engine.

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 Paul Given             {ihnp4, houxe, stcvax!ihnp4}!drutx!pagiven
              AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
 11900 N. Pecos, Rm 1B04, Denver 80234              (303)-538-4058
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