08 Caravan used half q oil. (NORMAL?)

[Mark72]

I drove through the mountains yesterday with my van fully loaded with ppl and luggage and it used a half quart of oil. I averaged 75 mph even going up the hills. Is this typical of any vehicle being driven under those conditions?

 

[sicko]

How many miles did it take to lose that half a quart of oil?

 

[901Memphis]

Is this one of the famed ones that had the oil control rings installed upside down in Mexico?

Either way you split it the manufactures will say with varying degree that 1 quart per 1000-1500 miles is "normal".

With the harsher conditions you mentioned it would be "normal" to see higher consumption during higher load/towing.

Just keep it topped off and keep track of it.

 

[Mark72]

400 miles. It's the 3.3 L. Half was up and down hills in the mountains through tennessee.

 

[Mark72]

400 miles. It's the 3.3 L. Half was up and down hills in the mountains through tennessee.

 

[daves87rs]

If it was worked pretty hard, then I would say yes...

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
If it was worked pretty hard, then I would say yes...


Yup sounds normal. The Wrangler uses oil if you run it that way, or straight highway but uses none in town.

I would keep a watch on it when you get done with the road trip make sure it returns to normal.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

I drive through the mountains of TN on a daily basis and my car doesn't use any oil doing it.

You might take a look at your PCV. Otherwise keep an eye on the oil level for a while to see if it keeps using.

 

[Merkava_4]

1/2 quart in 400 miles? What was the viscosity grade?

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: Mark72
I drove through the mountains yesterday with my van fully loaded with ppl and luggage and it used a half quart of oil. I averaged 75 mph even going up the hills. Is this typical of any vehicle being driven under those conditions?


It depends, how many miles on the van? What is your usual oil usage. That's working it pretty hard, but I wouldn't expect any excess usage. On my 2000 GC it didn't start using any oil until it was over 100k. The big thing with the 3.3l- 3.8l is the pcv valve. It must be clean and working properly. Clean every OC and replace every year.

Wayne

 

[NHGUY]

Normal for the longer stroke 3.8 but very rare for the 3.3 to do that.

 

[AKhan87]

it all depends on the design I guess.

the 1zzfe/2zzge that I rebuild, doesn't matter what rpm range you take them, they don't burn oil anymore.

by design they don't burn oil, I have taken the 2zzge to 8k rpm range many many times, and it doesn't burn any oil.

 

[jacky]

i would start using hm oil

 

[jacky]

also i dont mean this as an insult but dodge ,chrysler products are very prone to oil leaks
and they can occur an any age

 

[Rand]

Did you check the oil level immediately before the trip?

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: Mark72
I drove through the mountains yesterday with my van fully loaded with ppl and luggage and it used a half quart of oil. I averaged 75 mph even going up the hills. Is this typical of any vehicle being driven under those conditions?


Originally Posted By: Mark72
400 miles. It's the 3.3 L. Half was up and down hills in the mountains through tennessee.


75mph in the mountains with a fully loaded vehicle, yep it burnt some oil. Depending on the wear and tear of the vehicle and how it uses oil, that is normal. Next time, slow down. It is dangerous driving in that area in the best of times... not when fully loaded and going fast.

 

[artificialist]

I'm used to these engines lose a quart after 1500 miles, but the rate you burn oil is far from average.

Sometimes if the engine wasn't properly maintained, piston rings can get stuck and cause more oil burning.

Be sure to check you PCV valve and hoses, and I only recommend a real MOPAR PCV valve.

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I'm used to these engines lose a quart after 1500 miles, but the rate you burn oil is far from average.

Sometimes if the engine wasn't properly maintained, piston rings can get stuck and cause more oil burning.

Be sure to check you PCV valve and hoses, and I only recommend a real MOPAR PCV valve.


You can check the PCV valve but burning a little oil going over the mountains can/is normal. If going 75mph at 4000rmp up a grade of 6 plus for several miles with a full load.... yeah, lost oil.