oil leaks

[StevenF]

I had my engine rebuilt by Metric motors 4 years ago and since then I have put on about 1500 miles.
After it was installed, I went back to my mechanic for him to torque the head after 500 miles and I have had a few oil changes in between.
I noticed some oil on my garage floor and took it to my new mechanic for an oil change and he said that he noticed oil seepage in 3 places.
He said it was leaking from the front crankshaft seal,the rear main engine seal and the head gasket.  We called over to Metric and he advised that we should do a fresh oil change, clean things up and drive for a few weeks.  He said sometime we may see slight leakage and sometimes the oil "thins"....
I am not happy that a new engine is leaking in and of itself and want to know what your thought/ ideas are.
Has anyone experienced seepage so soon after a new rebuild?
Steven

[mrfatboy]

Just curious. What type of oil are you using?

[StevenF]

20w 50

[mrfatboy]

Synthetic or conventional?

[hauser]

I have about 2,500 miles since Metric rebuild and zero leaks.  Oil recommended by Metric is 10w40 Castrol GTX and that's what I use.

[mrfatboy]

Attached is what Metric sent to my friend.  Climate matters.  20w50 is what most of use in San Diego.

Note the "Conventional"

[StevenF]

Conventional oil was used
Metric told us to use 20w50 for added protection

[Benz Dr.]

Show me an engine used in one of our cars that doesn't seep a bit and I'll show you one that will over time. They all leak eventually. Rear main seal is the most common area. Front main really shouldn't leak  and neither should the head. I would check to see if it's the valve cover gasket.

[mdsalemi]

My engine was rebuilt by Metric about 20 years ago. About 20K miles on it since then. After I got it back the first time, and it was stored the first winter, there was alarming leakage of all fluids under the car.

I remarked about this to the late Frank Cozza (of MBCA fame) and he said, "Don't worry about it. They all do that. Always will when in storage. Once you get the car out in the spring, and drive it around, all will be well."

Sure enough, that's what I did, and Frank was right.

Since the rebuild the engine has only had Mobil 1 in it. The present formulation for older engines (with the extra ZDDP) is Mobil-1 15W-50 with 1200ppm phosphorus, and 1300ppm zinc. It's not easy to find, but on occasion it's on sale at Wal-Mart in 5-quart jugs.

[mrfatboy]

I use the Valvoline ZR-1 Racing 20w50 with the extra ZDDP.  It's a couple of bucks more buy easily bought at local O'Reillys.  Or just buy it on amazon.

[Pawel66]

Or perhaps VR-1? Or perhaps it is VR in Europe...

In any case: after winter storage I do see some leaks. And some of them do disappear in the spring. Some did not, so I had to fix them recently.

[mrfatboy]

Oops. Yes.  VR-1🤣

[mauro12]

I’ve always used as engine oil Bardahl xtc 15w50. Is written that bardahl has a military secret around their oils . They have a special formula that provides lubrication even with no oil inside the engine .
Once they made an experiment to drain bardahl engine oil from a truck and this truck run for over 200km.
Im wondering why bardahl is not common in USA even if it’s a us company .
In Italy is very popular brand around shelfs.