We have an '05 Town & Country with the 3.8. It runs very well, but unfortunately, is one of the 3.8s that likes to burn oil. Has anyone found an oil that reduces consumption in these engines? I was thinking of trying some of the NextGen Maxlife from my stash.
Chrysler 3.8 oil burner
- Thread starter zrxkawboy
- Start date
- Status
It's a hard issue to fight in those engines. High mileage oil of any variety is a start. How many quarts does it consume in a given mileage? Quart every couple thousand?
Unfortunately the piston rings were installed upside down. No oil can fix that.
Originally Posted By: zrxkawboy
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
How many quarts does it consume in a given mileage? Quart every couple thousand?
A quart approximately every 1500-2000, depending on how it's driven.
that's really not that bad
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
How many quarts does it consume in a given mileage? Quart every couple thousand?
A quart approximately every 1500-2000, depending on how it's driven.
that's really not that bad
Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
when engine is one qt. low add a small can of RESTORE to the oil.
doesn't work right away but it has always helped reduce oil use in engines i have used it in.
Do not add restore to this engine. It contains soft metals that you don't want in your engine. Restore is a lest resort for a very tired engine, it will cause increased metal wear in the engine.
1 quart of consumption every 1.5-2k is not bad for those engines, its more normal than most. Just keep doing what your doing, running any conventional or high mileage and keep an eye on the oil level.
when engine is one qt. low add a small can of RESTORE to the oil.
doesn't work right away but it has always helped reduce oil use in engines i have used it in.
Do not add restore to this engine. It contains soft metals that you don't want in your engine. Restore is a lest resort for a very tired engine, it will cause increased metal wear in the engine.
1 quart of consumption every 1.5-2k is not bad for those engines, its more normal than most. Just keep doing what your doing, running any conventional or high mileage and keep an eye on the oil level.
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
when engine is one qt. low add a small can of RESTORE to the oil.
doesn't work right away but it has always helped reduce oil use in engines i have used it in.
Do not add restore to this engine. It contains soft metals that you don't want in your engine. Restore is a lest resort for a very tired engine, it will cause increased metal wear in the engine.
1 quart of consumption every 1.5-2k is not bad for those engines, its more normal than most. Just keep doing what your doing, running any conventional or high mileage and keep an eye on the oil level.
^ agree. just add oil when it needs it. burning oil isnt always a bad thing. i think people do more harm than good trying heavier oils and additives to stop the burning. just add oil when it needs it. not all engines that burn oil are in bad shape, most will continue to run forever if the level is kept up.
Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
when engine is one qt. low add a small can of RESTORE to the oil.
doesn't work right away but it has always helped reduce oil use in engines i have used it in.
Do not add restore to this engine. It contains soft metals that you don't want in your engine. Restore is a lest resort for a very tired engine, it will cause increased metal wear in the engine.
1 quart of consumption every 1.5-2k is not bad for those engines, its more normal than most. Just keep doing what your doing, running any conventional or high mileage and keep an eye on the oil level.
^ agree. just add oil when it needs it. burning oil isnt always a bad thing. i think people do more harm than good trying heavier oils and additives to stop the burning. just add oil when it needs it. not all engines that burn oil are in bad shape, most will continue to run forever if the level is kept up.
I thought the poorly assembled 3.8s were the ones in the wrangler? Never heard a single bad thing about the Minivan 3.8s. If you don't live in a cold climate, I'd run a syn 10w30 instead of 5w-20
I'd try some at-205 to swell whatever it can.
A piston soak with whatever particular one you care to use.
Check the PCV valve, and its hosiery.
A 5w/0w-30/40
A piston soak with whatever particular one you care to use.
Check the PCV valve, and its hosiery.
A 5w/0w-30/40
Checking the PCV is a good idea, but your consumption is normal for those engines. Just keep topping it up and it will enjoy the refreshed additive pack from the clean oil.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Unfortunately the piston rings were installed upside down. No oil can fix that.
+1 If it was one of the Mexican assembled 3.8L engines odds are that's the problem. Something thicker might help, its hit or miss with those engines.
Unfortunately the piston rings were installed upside down. No oil can fix that.
+1 If it was one of the Mexican assembled 3.8L engines odds are that's the problem. Something thicker might help, its hit or miss with those engines.
Originally Posted By: tig1
First I have heard of this ring upside down thing. Why doesn't Chrysler fix this?
I'm surprised you never heard about it. It has been a problem for quite a while. IIRC they were dealing with it case by case, and dependent upon how much oil is consumed. A lot of mfg's say a qt. of oil used every 600-1000 miles is considered normal [I might have even read where 500 miles/qt is considered normal]. Either way it's a great way to cover themselves for a situation like this.
First I have heard of this ring upside down thing. Why doesn't Chrysler fix this?
I'm surprised you never heard about it. It has been a problem for quite a while. IIRC they were dealing with it case by case, and dependent upon how much oil is consumed. A lot of mfg's say a qt. of oil used every 600-1000 miles is considered normal [I might have even read where 500 miles/qt is considered normal]. Either way it's a great way to cover themselves for a situation like this.
Thanks guys. The more I think about our recent trip, it's probably more on the order of a quart every 1200-1700 miles. Still not terrible, I know...just wondering if any particular oil did better in this application. Thanks for the replies.
500 miles WAS considered normal back in the 70's at Chevrolet. Pitiful, IMO.
But yeah, that 3.8 issue is pretty well known. I guess you got to get out more often, OP!
But yeah, that 3.8 issue is pretty well known. I guess you got to get out more often, OP!
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
But yeah, that 3.8 issue is pretty well known. I guess you got to get out more often, OP!
Umm, maybe you need to read closer. I said it's one of those that burns oil. Hence, I know it's an issue with these engines. I've noticed there isn't really much of anything that you don't know, so I would have thought you'd have picked that up.
But yeah, that 3.8 issue is pretty well known. I guess you got to get out more often, OP!
Umm, maybe you need to read closer. I said it's one of those that burns oil. Hence, I know it's an issue with these engines. I've noticed there isn't really much of anything that you don't know, so I would have thought you'd have picked that up.
Originally Posted By: tig1
First I have heard of this ring upside down thing. Why doesn't Chrysler fix this?
Because it's Chrysler.
There are NUMEROUS misassembled 3.8s out there that drink oil and will eventually spin bearings (they weren't installed right either). A lot of the affected engines are under "lifetime warranty".
If you have an affected engine that is drinking oil and knocking, while still under warranty, Chrysler will just say it's normal and send you on your way.
When the engine grenades, it's all up to you and the lifetime warranty ... did not a thing.
First I have heard of this ring upside down thing. Why doesn't Chrysler fix this?
Because it's Chrysler.
There are NUMEROUS misassembled 3.8s out there that drink oil and will eventually spin bearings (they weren't installed right either). A lot of the affected engines are under "lifetime warranty".
If you have an affected engine that is drinking oil and knocking, while still under warranty, Chrysler will just say it's normal and send you on your way.
When the engine grenades, it's all up to you and the lifetime warranty ... did not a thing.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
- Locked