Oil Consumption

[lorenambrose]

Should I bee worried about consuming 1 qt of oil every 3000-3200 miles? There are no leaks anywhere.

The truck has 62000 miles on it.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

thats not severe, but yes you should at least look into it.

check the PCV system (PCV valve, hoses, crankcase breather)

 

[Big Jim M]

With an actual 62,000 mile count YES I'd be worried about that much oil comsumption. Did you purchase the vehicle new? If not then you should look to see if the milage has been set back. Or if the engine has been overheated and the valve seals have went away. I wouldn't expect that much oil loss with 162K on my engine.
Big JIm

 

[lorenambrose]

With an actual 62,000 mile count YES I'd be worried about that much oil comsumption. Did you purchase the vehicle new? If not then you should look to see if the milage has been set back. Or if the engine has been overheated and the valve seals have went away. I wouldn't expect that much oil loss with 162K on my engine.
Big JIm

Well it was catastrophically overheated and the dealer replaced both head gaskets and sent both heads to the machine shop to be repaired. It has not run quite the same since.

I does not run bad. If fact it runs great, and I would not hesitate to take it cross country any time. It just idles a little rough and consumes 1 qt of oil in 3000-3200 miles of 75% highway driving, (70-75 MPH average).

I am running Valvoline MaxLife 5W-30 in it now. It seems to like it and it is great oil.

 

[pcollins]

being that severely overheated, it probably needed a full rebuild.

 

[lorenambrose]

being that severely overheated, it probably needed a full rebuild.

Maybe, I don't know. I has been to the dealer 3 times to check it out. It passes all power balance, mechanical compression, vacuum and engine diagnostic tests. It never throws a computer code. My actron scanner shows all the PID's are well within factory specs. I did a complete tune up to include new Autolite XP104 plugs, new wires, and the dealer replaced the coil under warranty. I had the fuel injection system cleaned and did a seafoam treatment. The tranny has been flushed as has the cooling system.

I have had the cats/muffler checked at a muffler shop and was told the entire exhaust was in great condition.

I had a 21 point transmission check done at Ammco and was told everything there was great as well.

Soooooo, it could be that I am just paranoid. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[pcollins]

i don't know if i would believe the dealer, because oil doesn't just dissapear. i would think being so overheated really beat up the cylinders/rings, and now its burning the oil slowly. like said above, check the PVC system, and also open your radiator cap and see whats in there...

 

[lorenambrose]

i don't know if i would believe the dealer, because oil doesn't just dissapear. i would think being so overheated really beat up the cylinders/rings, and now its burning the oil slowly. like said above, check the PVC system, and also open your radiator cap and see whats in there...

Changed the PCV valve, but the one that was in there was fine. The coolant in the radiator is perfect and never looses a drop. Temps are rock steady. Maybe it really is no big deal at all. I don't know.

This particular dealer has a very good reputation in this area. It is not that they don't believe there is some kind of oil consumption. They just do not feel there is a problem to deal with. I was told that there is nothing going on that would need any furthur investigation.

 

[t0x1k]

On that engine I would be concerned.
Did the stealership really do all those tests? Were they documented? Is there paperwork showing the leak down test on all cylinders?
Do your own compression test, overheating affects more than just the heads. It's the whole block.
Pull your plugs, burning oil fouls them up.
Does it smoke? On start up? driving? Idling?
Is there any oily residue on areas beside the oil pan? Like on the trans, frame, cross members, starter, side of block, valve covers, etc? Oil on the frame or cross members behind the oil plug could mean oil loss during driving.

 

[lorenambrose]

On that engine I would be concerned.
Did the stealership really do all those tests? Were they documented? Is there paperwork showing the leak down test on all cylinders?
Do your own compression test, overheating affects more than just the heads. It's the whole block.
Pull your plugs, burning oil fouls them up.
Does it smoke? On start up? driving? Idling?
Is there any oily residue on areas beside the oil pan? Like on the trans, frame, cross members, starter, side of block, valve covers, etc? Oil on the frame or cross members behind the oil plug could mean oil loss during driving.

Well I can not find any leaks and there is not even a hint of smoke under any conditions. No detectable odors either. The plugs have been pulled and they all look ok and pretty much the same. Nothing sticks out.

Yes all those tests were done and the lowest cylinder's compression was still about 90% of the highest cylinder.

I am torn about the severity of this. From a glass half full perspective, it is less than 1.9 drops of oil per mile. I just don't know.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If those are the actual miles that engine is still a baby and should have never overheated unless it was not maintained. A leak down test and vacuum test done by a reputable shop (get a second opinion) as if it is burning oil it will destroy the cat/cats and affect the O2 sensors = fuel economy. It might run A long time or it could puke tomorrow it`s your call. Keep a close eye on the guages

 

[Spitfire1975]

Well I can not find any leaks and there is not even a hint of smoke under any conditions. No detectable odors either. The plugs have been pulled and they all look ok and pretty much the same. Nothing sticks out.

Yes all those tests were done and the lowest cylinder's compression was still about 90% of the highest cylinder.

I am torn about the severity of this. From a glass half full perspective, it is less than 1.9 drops of oil per mile. I just don't know.

I never knew there were almost 6,000 drops in a quart of oil.

 

[Spitfire1975]

Run it till it blows. Then replace/rebuild. What else can you do?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

The compression should be no more than 5% that 10% could very well be the issue was the engine full of oil when it overheated sounds to me like a rebuid or rebuilt is in your future.

 

[lorenambrose]

The compression should be no more than 5% that 10% could very well be the issue was the engine full of oil when it overheated sounds to me like a rebuid or rebuilt is in your future.

The engine did experience a catastrophic overheat. I was driving down the road, zipping along about 65-70 on my way to work. It was mildly foggy and just after dawn. I crested a hill and the lil ranger started clanking and loosing power. I pulled of at an off ramp and the truck just died. As I slowed down I then noticed the plume of steam from under the hood. I coasted in to a parking spot and lifted the hood. To my utter dismay the upper radiator hose had just come off the thermostat housing. There was no clamp to be found anywhere. All the coolant was left out on the highway. After a cool down I filled the coolant up and attached a clamp and finally got her started. The engine would not idle at all. It chugged and puked and I now began to notice oil in the tail pipe. I was able to drive it to the dealer. It drove fine at highway speed, it just would not idle at all. I never got a warning light or high temp before it cut loose. Probably because there was no coolant to get hot.


The compression of the lowest cylinder, according to Ford, is supposed to a minimum of 75% of the highest cylinder, and at least 100 PSI. Mine is almost 90% and 145 PSI. I have had two dealerships and a highly trusted NAPA autocare center tell me that was not an issue at all. It has also passed two Power Balance tests with flying colors. There may be a combination of things causing this.

I am washing the engine and tranny now,although it is clean already, and I changed the PCV valve. The old PCV appeared to be just fine. I will check in a week for evidence of a leak, but I already know there will not be any. But just to make sure.

It runs too good to think it will go out any time soon. I have no fear of being stranded, ever. There is NOT even a hint of smoke, under any conditions. Never.