Expedition has consumed oil - First time ever....

[OVERKILL]

So, with the current OCI of AZO 0w30 in the sump, checked the oil today and it was down below the add line! This vehicle has NEVER needed oil between changes. Last time I checked it was admittedly about a month ago (wife drives it mostly, not me) but it was just below the full line so I left it be.

Oil change history:
1. Mobil 1 5w20 @ 153,069Km
2. Mobil Delvac 1 5w40 @ 162,022Km
3. Mobil Delvac 1 5w40 @ 174,071Km
4. Mobil 1 0w40 @ 186,686Km
5. PC 0w40 @ 194,500Km
6. Mobil 1 0w30 @ 204,600Km
7. Mobil 1 0w30 @ 214,440Km
8. Red Line 5w30 @ 218,461Km
9. Mobil 1 0w30 @ 226,236Km
10. AZO 0w30 @ 235,083Km

Truck currently has 248,610Km on it and this is the longest OCI I've run on it

-Chris

 

[skyship]

As an engine that normally starts out using a 5w30 or 0/30 ages and the oil consumption increases it is often worth seeing if a heavier oil like a 5w40 will reduce the oil consumption.

 

[LeakySeals]

Check your stash for a mysterious extra quart.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: skyship
As an engine that normally starts out using a 5w30 or 0/30 ages and the oil consumption increases it is often worth seeing if a heavier oil like a 5w40 will reduce the oil consumption.


This oil IS heavier than the last batch that was in the sump if you look at the OCI history.

That being said, I'm wondering if this is just a settle in thing because I changed oil brands and the consumption will go away.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Check your stash for a mysterious extra quart.


LOL!

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
That being said, I'm wondering if this is just a settle in thing because I changed oil brands and the consumption will go away.


Probably; I've definitely seen it when playing oil brand roulette at every OCI. Stick with it for two more OCIs worth and see what's doing.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: skyship
As an engine that normally starts out using a 5w30 or 0/30 ages and the oil consumption increases it is often worth seeing if a heavier oil like a 5w40 will reduce the oil consumption.


This oil IS heavier than the last batch that was in the sump if you look at the OCI history.

That being said, I'm wondering if this is just a settle in thing because I changed oil brands and the consumption will go away.


Heavier, as in molecular weight and volatility, or as in 100C viscosity due to some polymer?

 

[Gokhan]

Chances are that the valve-stem oil seals have just given out. The only thing that will reduce the oil consumption is to switch to a higher kinematic viscosity, such as xW-40. NOACK volatility etc. won't make much difference.

My 4A-LC virtually completely stopped consuming oil, save for a minor leak at the oil pan, after I replaced the valve-stem oil seals. I run 0W-20 now. Before I replaced the valve-stem oil seals, I had to run 15w40 in order to control the oil consumption. From 0W-20 to 15w40, there is about a factor of 4 in oil consumption, which seems to be inversely proportional to the square of the kinematic viscosity:

Oil consumption ~ 1/(kinematic viscosity)^2
(empirical formula from my own experience)

 

[loyd]

You're complaining that a vehicle with 146000 miles has used a quart of oil in 5500 miles? It is physically impossible for an engine to use NO oil between changes. If that's what you're saying, your mistaken or I misunderstood you. Which is it?

 

[oggb]

Meh.

 

[buster]

Dude, it's time you stepped up to MAXLIFE

Max the LIFE out that engine!

 

[antiqueshell]

Is it me or has Valvoline just recently descended upon BITOG with viral advertising disguised as member posts? LOL

 

[AVB]

I would pull the air intake off of the throttle body and check for oil in the intake and the air duct. I would also check the pvc elbow, I have seen them collapse on a 5.4 and cause oil to start blowing out of the vent tube connected to the air duct.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Gokhan
Chances are that the valve-stem oil seals have just given out. The only thing that will reduce the oil consumption is to switch to a higher kinematic viscosity, such as xW-40. NOACK volatility etc. won't make much difference.

My 4A-LC virtually completely stopped consuming oil, save for a minor leak at the oil pan, after I replaced the valve-stem oil seals. I run 0W-20 now. Before I replaced the valve-stem oil seals, I had to run 15w40 in order to control the oil consumption. From 0W-20 to 15w40, there is about a factor of 4 in oil consumption, which seems to be inversely proportional to the square of the kinematic viscosity:

Oil consumption ~ 1/(kinematic viscosity)^2
(empirical formula from my own experience)


I highly doubt it. It doesn't smoke, EVER. It used 1.5 quarts of oil in 8,000 miles. This is hardly excessive consumption, simply more than what it has used in the past.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: skyship
As an engine that normally starts out using a 5w30 or 0/30 ages and the oil consumption increases it is often worth seeing if a heavier oil like a 5w40 will reduce the oil consumption.


This oil IS heavier than the last batch that was in the sump if you look at the OCI history.

That being said, I'm wondering if this is just a settle in thing because I changed oil brands and the consumption will go away.


Heavier, as in molecular weight and volatility, or as in 100C viscosity due to some polymer?


Well, kinda. AZO has a higher HTHS than AFE. But kinematically, it is lighter.

AFE/AZO
100C: 10.9cSt/10.5cSt
40C: 62.9cSt/59.0cSt
VI: 166/170
HTHS: 3.0/3.1
Flash: 226/224
NOACK: N/A/7.8

 

[Ben99GT]

That's odd. I just went 10,000 miles on AZO and the oil level didn't move a single, solitary crosshatch on the dipstick in that time.

This engine clearly needs Pennzoil Ultra to clean up those rings.

 

[mechtech2]

You state that this is the longest OCI ever.
And, that oil use is now noticeable.

Think there' a connection?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: loyd
You're complaining that a vehicle with 146000 miles has used a quart of oil in 5500 miles? It is physically impossible for an engine to use NO oil between changes. If that's what you're saying, your mistaken or I misunderstood you. Which is it?


Naw dude, I'm complaining it used a little over a quart of oil in 8,000 miles

Seriously though, it normally uses no discernible oil between changes. It has always been this way. Obviously there has to be SOME being consumed, but not enough to require the addition of oil between changes.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
That's odd. I just went 10,000 miles on AZO and the oil level didn't move a single, solitary crosshatch on the dipstick in that time.

This engine clearly needs Pennzoil Ultra to clean up those rings.

hahhahahaah, definitely!

I'll probably run this out to 10K miles (it has 2K to go) and then change it. I need to order some more AZO as I broke into my 4 quart jug to top it off.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
You state that this is the longest OCI ever.
And, that oil use is now noticeable.

Think there' a connection?


Could be. But we'll see what the next 2,000 miles brings.