Grand Caravan oil consumption, new update

[otis24]

As some of you may recall, I was having an oil consumption issue with my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.8 liter V6). It currently has about 34000 miles. I purchased the vehicle new. I was using 1/2 to one quart of oil in about 1200 miles using Havoline 5w20 motor oil. I switched to Havoline 5w30 with the same results.
My next move was to switch to Motorcraft 5w30. I currently have just over 3000 miles on the Motorcraft. About half of this mileage was a 1600 mile round trip to Arkansas that I just returned from yesterday. Most of the mileage was hiway miles with a little town driving in between.
With Motorcraft 5w30, I appear to have used about a half quart in a little over 3000 miles. My next oil change will be with TropArtic 5w30 (basically the same as Motorcraft). If I get the same results, I will be sticking with the cheaper of the two.
Thankfully, a co-worker mechanics part-time and will take my Havoline stash off my hands. Now, I will have to watch sale prices on TropArtic and Motorcraft to rebuild my stash.

 

[Buick92]

That is kind of weird to have your consumption vary so much between two brands of oil in the same weight, maybe it has something more to do with your driving (highway vs. city). I too have an 05 Grand Caravan, I haven't had to add any oil between changes (29,000 miles on it). I think it uses less than 1/2 quart maybe between oil changes using 5w-20 chevron. Keep us updated.

 

[otis24]

I have put the Havoline through pretty much the same paces as far as driving habits. Another gentleman in town uses one quart every 1000 miles in his Grand Caravan. Dodge says this is "normal". In my earlier post, I noted that when I inquired at the dealership to make them aware of the problem, I was told that Chrysler does not consider one quart in 300 miles (you are reading this correctly, 300) to be excessive as long as the plugs were not fouling. Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Quote:

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. . . I was told that Chrysler does not consider one quart in 300 miles (you are reading this correctly, 300) to be excessive as long as the plugs were not fouling. Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

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I absolutely agree, but why doesn't this surprise me coming from Chrysler? ANY vehicle that burns or leaks a quart of oil in 300 miles has a major problem.

 

[otis24]

One thing I might add, the engine seems a little noisy at idle with the Motorcraft. Why would this be?

 

[otis24]

I am currently using up my last five quarts of Havoline 5w20. I now have approximately 2100 miles on this oil. Consumption is at about a half quart at 2100 miles. I just returned from a 1200 mile round trip from Colorado. Could this mean the consumption issue is improving? As an aside, I did add 3 or 4 ounces of Auto-Rx.

 

[Gene K]

Maybe you had some ring deposits that formed when you were breaking it in. The easy break-in that is in the manual prolongs the ring break-in and can cause deposits to form and in some severe cases bore polishing.

I always use the "forced break-in" procedure of alternating heavy throttle, heavy load acceleration and engine braking deceleration . This is somewhat like breaking in a race engine under load on the dyno.

Hopefully the ARX will clear up the Deposits (if any). A heavy dose of ARX can also change the oil into a Group V Synthetic Blend but 4oz would only be 5.6% if you have a 4.5 Qt Capacity.