Vanishing Oil in Duratec?

[branedamag]

Suddenly I am using 3-4 quarts between changes. It started at about 130,000 miles, and I'm up to 145,000 and no improvement. (Up to that point it was rare to use even 1 quart between changes.) I've tried different weights of oil, a couple of additives, nothing helps. But the situation is:

No smoke
No leaks that I can observe
No spots under the car

The only thing I observe is a burning oil smell when I start the car, when it's warmed up. I can't find any other sign of the missing oil. It seems to me that using so much, there must be some evidence, but I sure can't find it.

Anybody experience this? All I can guess is that it's leaking through a gasket and burning off the block, so the exhaust isn't smoking.

mg

 

[TRicker]

check under your exhaust manifolds. it could be a head gasket, and its coming off the block onto the Y pipe in the front possibly and burning off under the hood. otherwise look at the oil pan gasket, it could be leaking on the side where the Y pipe comes around it, and burning off there. basically look around for lines of oil goign down the block at any point. that's a lot of oil to consume in one oil change cycle. make sure you run the car when you look, because it may only be leaking/burning when the system is under pressure.

 

[Kremithefrog]

Gotta be a leak.

 

[Tony2005]

My money is on the oil filter. That was the issue with mine about 1 year ago after I took it to iffy ube. Very easy to check. Look down in between the radiator and the front of the car at the oil filter. You should be able to see oil on the Y pipe. If you are not sure, just tighten the oil filter.

Before you do that, make sure it is threaded in correctly. Yes, I am actually suggesting that you get a new oil filter and another quart of oil to put in.

 

[todras]

PCV valve changed yet?

 

[elraido]

PCV valve changed yet?

would that cause that much of a leak?

 

[Tony2005]

would that cause that much of a leak?

Depending on what the oil change mileage interval is, it could.

 

[branedamag]

Thanks for all the input.

I tend to doubt the oil filter only because it's been 4-5 changes since this started, and I doubt that it would be installed incorrectly that many times. Obviously it's leaking somewhere. I'm intrigued by the PCV idea, since I have a new one in my garage that I haven't installed yet.

I smell it when it starts. Oil is leaking and burning somewhere. At least it doesn't appear to be internal. Gasket replacement beats rebuilds.

mg

 

[todras]

Could be a rear valve cover, etc as well.

 

[LUCA]

I tend to doubt the oil filter only because it's been 4-5 changes since this started, and I doubt that it would be installed incorrectly that many times. Obviously it's leaking somewhere.
mg

I'd check anyway. I have seen the same issue and it was caused by the filter not being on properly/not tightened enough. It's worth a look-see and a re-check of the tightness of the filter.

I'm not saying that's definitely your problem, I'm just saying it's worth looking into.

 

[stocksvtcontour]

How long between oil changes? If it is a long time could just be the rings are starting to go. Does it smoke at start up??

 

[elraido]

so, if it is the pcv it would leak onto the ypipe and burn off? sounds just like the problem I have...and I even have a new pcv in the trunk right now. I don't think it has ever been changed either and I am sitting close to 200K miles....yesssssssssh

 

[Kevinm]

Check your crankshaft seal behind the harmonic balancer. If it is leaking there, you need to change the crank pulley, and seal.
Oil will get on your pipe that goes from the front manifold and connects up to the rear manifold pipe.

 

[BrApple]

Check your crankshaft seal behind the harmonic balancer. If it is leaking there, you need to change the crank pulley, and seal.
Oil will get on your pipe that goes from the front manifold and connects up to the rear manifold pipe.

if it was leaking from the crank seal you would also have oil flung up onto the hood above the accessory belt ...

 

[todras]

It could be many things but start with the PCV and then check for leaks on the valve covers, plug wells, and around the timing cover.

 

[Kevinm]

Nope not true just did my sons seal and pulley it never went to the hood just along side of the engine back towards the fire wall dripped along the frame and "A" arms.

 

[branedamag]

How long between oil changes? If it is a long time could just be the rings are starting to go. Does it smoke at start up??

I go about 5k, as most of miles are highway. I have never seen any smoke at all. I smell the burning when I start it hot, but not cold. I am going to try the PCV valve first because I have one.

mg

 

[RangerRuss]

By chance did you happen to change brands of oil? Had a similar situation sometime back with another vehicle. I had been consistently using Mobil oil and one change used Valvoline.

Next change I went back to Mobil and the oil consumption ceased. I contacted Valvoline engineers who responded to the effect that all oils are manufactured to the same standards for viscosity. The additive packages in the oil vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next and this alone can cause consumption.

For what it is worth.

Russ

 

[elraido]

I go about 5k, as most of miles are highway. I have never seen any smoke at all. I smell the burning when I start it hot, but not cold. I am going to try the PCV valve first because I have one.

mg

I think we are in the same boat. And I didn't change oil brands when it started.

 

[branedamag]

By chance did you happen to change brands of oil? Had a similar situation sometime back with another vehicle. I had been consistently using Mobil oil and one change used Valvoline.

Next change I went back to Mobil and the oil consumption ceased. I contacted Valvoline engineers who responded to the effect that all oils are manufactured to the same standards for viscosity. The additive packages in the oil vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next and this alone can cause consumption.

For what it is worth.

Russ

I've used Valvoline and Shell during this period. 5-20 mostly, but last change I went back to 5-30. Tomorrow, unless I get hijacked for other projects, I'll try changing the PCV and, in an unrelated move, new NGK plug wires. I'll be sure to report back when some results become clear.