I am an old fart and i did not know that there was a diff...


I am an old fart and i did not know that there was a difference between synthetic oil and the old regular oil. I put the old type of oil in my car when it needed it. then I was told that My car was suppose to be using the syntheti...

I am an old fart and i did not know that there was a difference between synthetic oil and the old regular oil. I put the old type of oil in my car when it needed it. then I was told that My car was suppose to be using the synthetic. Now my car is leaking. Is this why. J looked under the engine and it appears that some of the engine block screws are where its leaking. The car is a 2008 BMW 650I. Did I really mess it up? Mechanic's Assistant: When was your last oil change? A month ago Mechanic's Assistant: What is the model of your '08 BMW? It is a 650I Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your vehicle yourself? What have you tried so far? I'm not fixing it myself

Automotive Expert
Hi. Welcome to chat! My name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* I am an expert here, at Just Answer. I will assist you with your questions today. Putting a non synthetic oil in your car is not going to hurt anything or cause a leak.

My car also won't pass the smog test. It smells from the tail pipe but there is no visible smoke,
Automotive Expert
How did it fail? Does the paperwork say what failed? Being an 08 they should have just plugged it into the computer. It should pass as long as the check engine light is not on.

Is the smell from the oil leak hitting the tail pipe?
Automotive Expert
If oil is leaking onto the exhaust pipe it will have a strong oil burning smell. Likely the oil wouldnt be on the tail pipe but up closer to the engine.

There is a light that comes on showing a engine. It stays on all of the time. Although it went off for about a week then it came on again
Automotive Expert
Yes. That light is the check engine light.You can not pass smog test with that light on. That means there is a fault code stored in the engine computer and there is a fault detected. You need to have the check engine light diagnosed and repaired so the light stays off and then you can pass smog test.

Thank you, \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* me feel better. I don't like going to a service garage and walk out like I am being screwed. I am 63 and I have owned many cars but these newer ones still baffle me a bitI would send you a tip but I am waiting for my ssdi check
Automotive Expert
You are welcome. Let me know if there is anything else you need and have a great rest of the day! Thank you.

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