quote:
Originally posted by CJH:
I just changed my Honda Civic Si over at 60,000 miles (not exactly high mileage, I know) and the oil cnosumption went from 1/2 quart in 7,500 miles to 1/2 quart in 4,000 miles, at least initially. Now this isn't a real high rate of consumption, but the consumption rate did double.
...
Increased oil consumption for a short time is not unusual. If you had a good reason to change to Mobil 1, the reason is still good. Stick with it. Here's what Schaeffer says, "The previously used engine oil may have built up deposits in different areas in the engine. These deposits, which in some cases act as a seal, can be removed when premium performance engine oils that contain different additive systems, with additional detergents/dispersants, anti-wear and anti-oxidants, is introduced into the engine. This removal process can be more enhanced if different brands of engine oil are mixed together. Mixing of different brands of engine oils can result in the worst of both worlds, instead of the best. The complex chemical reactions that occur in the removal of existing deposits and in interactions between different types of additive chemistries can and will lead to an increase in oil consumption. After these deposits are removed and a balanced equilibrium is where the new engine oil has formed a full seal, oil consumption rates will return at or to very near their original levels.
"The amount of time required for the engine to regain its previously observed oil consumption rates with the use of the new engine oil can vary from one to three normal drain intervals. This phenomenon is not unique to any one brand of engine and/or engine oil, but is commonly reported, when switching to a premium engine oil, especially in older engines that may have high mileage or may not have a rigorous maintenance program."
How do you avoid the increased oil consumption? "One way to mitigate oil consumption when switching brands of engine oil is to flush the existing engine oil before adding any new oil. When switching to Schaeffer Mfg.’s engine oils, especially in older engines it is recommended that the engine be flushed and purged with the use of either Schaeffer’s #292 Purging Fluid or #131 Neutra Fuel Stabilizer to gently remove and purge any existing deposits."
Ken
[ August 22, 2003, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]