Missing Oil on a 3L.

[Shoeboy]

Well, I just bought a 1993 Ranger with the 3L with 200 000km on it. I have driven it for about 1000km, and in that time, I've gone down 1L of oil. There are oil leaks on this truck, but nothing bad enough to cause this amount of oil loss. When I'm driving I don't smell anything burning and I don't notice any smoke when its at idol, or revving up, or when driving. I don't leave any oil on the street in front of my house, or in my parking spot at work. I'm just wondering if anyone with the 3L and higher mileage has noticed this, and if so have you fixed the problem, and if so, what did you do, or do you just keep topping it off.

 

[Ranger44]

Well, it could be any number or seals. Have you pulled a plug? Could be gaskets, rings, bad valve seals, etc. Pulling a plug would be a good start.

 

[Shoeboy]

Plugs are new, and the old ones didn't look bad, considering they were factory equipment with 200 000km on them (everything one this truck is original, unfortunately. Did the oil change, no coolant or anything out of the ordinary, I'm thinking valve seals or rings. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this or if anyone could shed light on common problems that these engines have. Amazingly with the "Found on Road, Dead" thoughts I work of very few Fords and Mazda's, and I see very few 3L's. I generally work on GM, Caravan's (man I love those!), and Imports (they're all shit). Most of the 3L ones I do see are for oil changes or other small maintenance items, or they are scrapped before the work is done as the car just isn't worth it. I've also just noticed that at idol there is a minor shake, nothing major, and unless you're looking for it, you don't notice it.

 

[Hahnsb2]

The cat can mask oil smoke, without a cat my rig puffs a little bit, with the cat there is no sign of smoke.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if its not leaking, its burning.

with the motor running, unscrew the oil fill cap. get lots of air and sound rushing out of the valve cover? if so you need rings. a vibration could be indicative of uneven compression (maybe you've got a busted ring, which would account for both your troubles).