2004 dodge Dakota 3.7L
190000 miles
5W-30 recommended
Using Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5w30
PCV has been replaced with an OEM unit, didn’t help much
On some cars (Honda CRV 2.4L for example) the PCV connects to a crankcase breather hose that is prone to shriveling, kinking, or clogging, which blocks crankcase breathing and results in oil burning.
On other cars (Buick 3800 for example) there is no crankcase breather hose.
On other cars (Hyundai 1.6L for example) there is a crankcase breather hose, but it's not prone to failure.
So on your truck, does the PCV connect to a crankcase breather hose? If so, is the hose in good working order?
I suggest trying each of these oils for 1 OCI:
5w30 Amsoil High Mileage Full Synthetic
5w30 Maxlife Extended Protection High Mileage Full Synthetic
5w30 Havoline ProDS Lifelong High Mileage Full Synthetic
5w30 Quaker State High Mileage Full Synthetic
I like those ^ 4 because their full op temp 100KV (100C, 212F) viscosity is higher than other brands of High Mileage Full Synthetic oils. VOAs I've read are reporting 11.1 cSt @ 100KV. That's a good high/healthy viscosity at op temp which reduces consumption. Those 4 also have excellent additive packages. The 3 are the best quality, IMO. The 3rd & 4th have best prices.
If none of those ^ reduce oil consumption enough, then try a High Mileage synthetic blend because I have found High Mileage Syn Blend to leak less than full syn. In order from thinnest to thickest at full op temp:
5w30 Maxlife Blend (syn blend) (thinnest of these 3. Probably best lubrication of these 3) (I've found it helpful for reducing leaking or burning).
5w30 Quaker State High Mileage (syn blend) (good medium choice among High Mileage syn blend oils)
5w30 Pennzoil High Mileage (syn blend) (very thick for its grade. Not ideal for cold starts in cold weather, but will reduce leaking or burning).
For clapped out engines that still leak or burn too much oil even when using a High Mileage syn blend, the last resort is a conventional High Mileage oil. A High Mileage conventional oil won't lubricate as well, but it sure is good at reducing oil consumption IME.
10w30 Maxlife Blend is mostly conventional oil. There's very little (if any) group 3 synthetic in it.
10W30 Quaker State High Mileage is fully conventional oil. It's thicker than 10w30 Maxlife Blend.
10w30 Pennzoil High Mileage is fully conventional oil. It's very thick for it's 10w30 grade. Not ideal lubrication during winter cold starts, but it's unlikely to leak or burn at full op temp.
A 10w40 High Mileage oil is another weapon of last resort for slowing or stopping consumption. Such as Maxlife Blend 10w40. 5w30 Pennzoil High Mileage (conv) is so thick that it's almost a 10w40.
Blue Devil oil stop leak, and especially ATP205, do reduce or stop leaks, but they also compromise lubrication and increase wear while they're in the oil. See Project Farm video about testing these products.
I think oil choice is a safer way to reduce leaks and IME can be effective. I've never had to progress thicker than 5w30 Maxlife Blend to signifigantly reduce leaking or burning.
