1993 Ford Escort Conventional oil versus synthetic oil

1993 FORD ESCORT
184,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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LAZYGAZER
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  • 68 POSTS
What's your advise on using synthetic oil in this car that has had frequent oil and filter change at 184000 on the tach? Also i noticed on 2 occasions within 2 weeks on starting there is blue smoke comming from the pipe then it goes away. i havent seen it lately,could it be oil seals? Whats your take on that.
Norris
Apr 2, 2009 at 12:29 PM
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JAMES W.
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 2,394 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The blue smoke you're seeing is probably oil weeping past the valve seals and collecting on the valve heads or piston tops. With almost 200K on the engine, I would expect this as normal wear. Most Escorts didn't live long enough to see the kind of mileage you have. I commend you.
As far as chanding to a synthetic, you've gone this far with what you're using, I wouldn't switch now. Hope this helps
Apr 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
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