Best oil for an oil burner?

[OceanRuns]

Vehicle is a 1988 Mitsubishi Van. It's burned oil since I got it (3 years now). I just keep adding.

The van blows bluish/burnt smelling smoke on start-up. It also blows smoke when you rev the engine from idle. But if you hold the accelerator down, it doesn't blow continuously, just on initial revving. But, it can be a nice little cloud.

Normal spec for the van appears to be 10w30 (at least on Amsoil's site).

-What oil could I use to burn a bit less oil?

-How think can I go before I run into issues of cold start (after sitting a month, as it does sometimes) circulation/lubrication?

-In choosing an oil do I need to pay any heed to ZDDP levels?

Thanks.

 

[userfriendly]

For a 28 year old oil burning vehicle? The cheapest 15w40 you can find.

 

[xshoex]

Walmart has their 15w40 for $10 iirc. A 30 year old van wont mind

 

[Merkava_4]

15W-40, 20W-50, or SAE 40. Whichever is thicker at startup.

 

[OceanRuns]

I was thinking 20w-50, wasn't sure if it's too thick. 15w40 is always cheap at WalMart.

Van photo...

(I sprayed the plastic bumper since this photo. It actually turned out looking decent.)

 

[Pajamarama]

Nice photo! Nice van!

I have a weakness for late 80s Japanese cars. They always looked like they were from the near future. In fact, your van still looks kind of futuristic in a Transformers meets Neuromancer kind of way.

 

[OceanRuns]

Thanks. I totally agree, and they appeal to me aesthetically for the same reason. I like your description.

Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
Nice photo! Nice van!

I have a weakness for late 80s Japanese cars. They always looked like they were from the near future. In fact, your van still looks kind of futuristic in a Transformers meets Neuromancer kind of way.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Castrol GTX 20w-50.

 

[BrocLuno]

It's likely the valve guides. So how hard is it to get the head off and get a valve job done? You can pick up some power and mileage with a good valve job, b ut it's not worth it if you are going to sell it in a year or two ...

 

[pbm]

Does it have the Mitsu 3.0?....if so, they were known for using oil due to bad valve stem seals, IIRC? On a non-rusted van like that it might be worth throwing a few $$$ into it....depending on the mileage?

 

[crazyoildude]

If it has the 3.0 its the seals and its not a big dollar job for an engine shop.. Use pennzoil 10w30 high mileage.

 

[Ramblejam]

It's a 2.4L 4-cylinder.

 

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
It's a 2.4L 4-cylinder.


Yes this is what it has. Engine 4G64. Used in quite a few Mitsubishi vehicles... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Sirius_engine#4G64

 

[Cristobal]

A cheap but decent SN in the weights mentioned is OK. How much oil does it use?

 

[Jimzz]

Yea try the 15w40 and see how that holds up. Walmart and when onsale Napa are good places for good cheap 15w40.

 

[Bud_One]

Like others have recommended. I vote for trying some Delo/Rotella/ST/Delvac etc... 15w40

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: userfriendly
For a 28 year old oil burning vehicle? The cheapest 15w40 you can find.


In CA? +1000 all day long.

 

[Silk]

The old L300 was very prone to burning oil, usually vavle guides. I'd run a 20W-50 or 15w40, but it'll still use oil. They only just stopped selling those here, they were the cheapest van you could get. For frontal impact, for obvious reasons.

 

[FCD]

any 15w40 or Supertech

 

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
A cheap but decent SN in the weights mentioned is OK. How much oil does it use?


Quite a bit. I haven't quantified it exactly. It has a yellow low oil level light that comes on when the oil reaches the low mark, which is a nice feature for an oil burner lol. It's like a quart every few hundred miles, if not more.