Explaining Mobil 1 oil consumption.

[MGregoir]

I just hit mile 2000 of an oil change run, checked my oil and was a full quart low.

This is a car that has no oil leaks, and with conventional oil had absolutely no oil consumption.

The service conditions were quite severe, primarily the coldest months of winter with no block heater, conditions as cold as -30 F and typically below 10 F to operate in. Many cold starts, run the engine for 20 minutes stop and go driving, shut down for several hours, restart and head the other direction.

I know Mobil 1 is known for consumption in engines that have not used it before, but what exactly causes it? I know the conditions were a major contributor but what is it about Mobil 1 that seems to make it prone to consumption?

I'm not likely to continue using it, as it served the purpose I chose it for because this winter I could not use my block heater and conventional just was not doing it for me. I might use a group III oil with good cold specs (none I have seen match Mobil 1 except Petro-Canada Duron 0W-30) to help maintain seal compatibility and because it is a little cheaper.

I'm just trying to do the math with this, oil just doesn't vanish where no other oil has. Maybe nothing outperforms Mobil 1 in that situation?

 

[cos]

Maybe that's a normal amount of consumption for your engine given the conditions. You said:
Quote:
and conventional just was not doing it for me
- how so?

 

[GMFan]

I have Mobil 1 5w30 in my Saturn right now. Normally no consumption. Right now, 2k miles on OCI and a tiny bit less than 1/2quart consumption.

Doesn't really bother me, I will top off with some dino and then go back to Pennzoil my next change.

 

[MGregoir]

Lots and lots of lifter noise on -20 C and lower starts and it was obvious the oil flow was a struggle until the engine came up to temperature. It was apparent parts that needed oil to operate properly weren't getting enough, and once I switched to a synthetic oil it cured that issue.

It sounded more like a 6V-71 Detroit Diesel than a 3100 V6 when started on some of those days.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My mom's 3100 sounds like a diesel with the piston slap regardless of what oil type I use or what the temperature is outside. Even with 5w30 Havoline Synthetic, there's still the piston slap. Even in the negative temperatures (-5F, etc.) the conventional sounded the same as it does with the synthetic... something tells me that's not the issue with these engines

 

[FZ1]

M1 is thin in it's grade so it tends be consumed. You could try M1 EP. It's a little more dense than M1. Conventionals are usually thicker and don't flow as well in grade so they tend to exhibit less consumption.

 

[Steelers]

My truck consumed M1 at a higher rate than other synthetic and conventional oil as well. I discontinued using it and have gone back to dino oil. Topping off M1 a quart at time gets pricey.

 

[Mike_dup1]

In engines that have used mineral oils and then are switched to synthetic, frequent oil filter changes will often correct increased oil consumption. Once engine deposits disappear, oil consumption rates should return to normal or lower than normal rates providing there are no mechanical problems.

 

[mechtech2]

It may have used more oil because of the extreme cold temps.
Maybe full ring sealing wasn't occurring, and it blew by.

 

[PTBH04]

When Mobil I was my primary use oil, sometimes when swithing over the 1st or 2nd change would have some consumption. Just thought it was a "synthetic" thing.
I do oil changes on friends of mine 2004 Malibu Maxx w/3.5(34,xxx miles) and 2000 Grand Caravan w/3/3(101,xxx miles). I have been using them as test subjects for the past year and a half or so. Both vehicles had been run on 5w/30 Mobil I since new. I did 2 oil changes in a row(about 14,000 miles total) with PP 5w.30. I don't think the Malibu cares what kind of oil it gets, never consumes any. The Caravan tho MUCH more prefers the Mobil I. The Caravan usually uses just less than a qt of Mobil I a change, it has been drinking a little over 2qts of PP. Went back to the Mobil I for the Caravan last oil change, we'll see what happens now. Btw, both vehicles are short trip, around town driven. In 6 months about 7000 miles or so get racked up them each. So who knows, sometimes I think some oils just get bashed un-necessarily because they fall out of favor on these boards. Neither car sounds any different with the Mobil I or the PP. Just as an FYI, I use Amsoil.

 

[buster]

Very good point PTB.

 

[globey]

I have noticed that most of these consumption threads usually pop up when someone is switching to a different oil. Is this something that will temper after the oil has been run two or three OCIs? New additive packs, etc.

 

[Jett Rink]

Wife drives a Volvo XC90. It consumed about 1 quart of Castrol 0w-30 each 4,000 miles. I switched her over to Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. It consumes about half that amount over the same interval. It drives the same with either oil. Strange. No explanation, or criticism of GC, just an observation.

 

[Rabbler]

I was a long time Syntec user then got a free case of Quaker State Q-torque and started consuming abt 1 Qt per 4K so far. 95% highway. I'm gonna try PP for the next few OCI.