Extending oil change

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I have a 92 Dodge w/ 2.5 four banger (152k miles). It has gradually been using oil, now consuming a quart of 5w30 conventional every 800-1000 miles.I change oil and filter every 4500-5000 miles. Since I am renewing the additives regularly, can I extend the oil change to 6000-7000 miles? I drive a combination of highway and city driving around 1200 miles a month.The oil does not look overly dirty.
 
With that kind of consumption you should easily be able to let the oil go to 7,000 miles. You could confirm with a used oil analysis, but honestly I wouldn't bother. Have you changed the PCV valve, checked that the PCV hose isnn't plugged up, and checked for leaks?
 
I had a few of those 2.5s over the years. I put about 200k on one of them. I just ran 5w30 conventional (pretty much whatever was on sale) with normal filters (pretty much whatever was on sale)and changed every 3-4K. The only leakage I ever had was the cam plugs and valve cover gaskets. I think I was burning around 1/2qt every 3k at 200k on a 1994 Plymouth Sundance 2.5, and about the same on a 1990 Acclaim 2.5 with 150k. It is a low compression, stress free engine, but I would probably stick with 5k or so for no scientifically quantifiable reason. Make sure you change the PCV and those little breather filters in the airbox regularly too. I was going about 20-30k on them.
 
There are no leaks. I always maintained the PCV and breather systems. I suspect rings or valve seals. I do see a puff of smoke sometimes when I start it. At 21 years old, the valve seals have likely hardened up.
 
Originally Posted By: Lubener
There are no leaks. I always maintained the PCV and breather systems. I suspect rings or valve seals. I do see a puff of smoke sometimes when I start it. At 21 years old, the valve seals have likely hardened up.
I can relate, Im 67 and my valves and seals leak, and I have those puffs of smoke toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....
 
Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
Originally Posted By: Lubener
There are no leaks. I always maintained the PCV and breather systems. I suspect rings or valve seals. I do see a puff of smoke sometimes when I start it. At 21 years old, the valve seals have likely hardened up.
I can relate, Im 67 and my valves and seals leak, and I have those puffs of smoke toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....


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Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
I can relate, Im 67 and my valves and seals leak, and I have those puffs of smoke toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....


As long as your rear main seal is good, don't worry.
 
At a quart every 800 miles, I would consider changing the filter every 5K and dropping the oil (while its a qt low) in 10K.

If you use a good High Mileage oil, you may find 1500 to a qt.
 
Might be time for MaxLife - that should help. I believe those hardened valve guide seals can be brought back to life. If it's using that much oil, I'd start with 10W-40.
 
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