looking for some suggestions on my oil consumption

[matrass]

I was wondering if anybody had a an idea to help with the oil consumption in my truck.
The truck is a Chevy Silverado 1992, 5.0 305 motor with 75,000 miles on the motor,I am the second owner.
Since I have had the truck ( about 2 years) it has started using more oil, about 1 quart every 1,500 miles.
There are no leaks at all, so it was taken to an engine rebuilder and he could not find any leaks either.
Next he did a compression test and stated that the results were excellent, so he suggested replacing the valve guide seals, so I did.
After he finished he told me that he noticed a lot of sludge in the engine.
After asking him what I could do about it he said nothing, other than keeping your oci short maybe every 2,500 miles.
I was not happy with this answer since my truck ran great and looks fantastic.
Found ARX on the internet and read how it has helped people with oil consumption and sludge removal, so I gave it a try.
During the first clean, oil usage was up to 1/2 quart on the first 400 miles and has continued to burn that much to date.
Currently I am into my second rinse, about 600 miles.
Seems to me that the oil control rings may be the culprit, no visible smoke coming out of the tailpipe, no leaks either.
I have started using FP and am very happy with the results, I would like to use LC when my rinse is done but not sure if the oil consumption will go any higher.
Does anybody feel that LC will help reduce consumption any if so what dose would be good to start with?
Has anybody had a similar experience, where the positive results of ARX were not seen until after the second rinse?
The oil used for ARX was 10-40 to start then I went up to straight 30 weight and am going to need to go back to 5-30 for the winter.
Has anybody used FHS smokeless oil or is it a waste of money?
Sorry for the long post just trying to figure out an alternative to replacing the engine , it runs so damm good .
Thanks for your time, looking forward to your suggestions an comments

 

[ekpolk]

Oil consumption getting serious at 75k miles and a mech reporting sludge. From this, I think most would agree that this engine has been abused at some point in the past. Let's be charitable, and assume it was the previous owner who abused it.

With that in mind, what oil/filter combo have you been using and at what interval?

Given that you've had the truck for two years, we can also assume that whatever you've been using, it has not been effective in removing the crud left behind by the previous owner. Using the ARX is a good start. Since the truck is running fine right now, I don't see a need to take drastic action until things become unacceptable (or it stops working...). Try another run of ARX, or move on to the LC. Just be aware that some have reported increases in consumption with LC, although that would most likely be temporary. Heck, if you feel that you're on the verge of taking it in for a rebuild, you could even try one of those nasty, old-fashioned kerosens based flushes. If you're contemplating a rebuild, why not try it?

I owned a car with a GM 305, but that was 20 years ago, and I can't even recall where the oil filler was. Can you see inside yours? If so, you can use it as a very rough indicator of the amount of stuff in your engine. Shine a flashlight in there and look. Run your finger around inside (with the engine off and cool, of course...) and see what comes out (clean oil, you hope).

Again, as long as it the engine is operating well other than its consumption, you have the luxury of taking your time with the corrective steps. Do them one at a time so you can effectively evaluate what worked for you or did not. Good luck with it.

 

[matrass]

I have been using Valvoline 10-30 in the summer and 5-30 in the winter.
The oci is every 2,500 miles since I have had it.
The filter is a Fram X2 ( I know you guys hate these)
In 2 years I have only put about 10,000 on the engine.
Seems like the oil consumption nearly doubled with the ARX treatment, which is fine as long as it is cleaning well.
I just kind of hoped that the ARX would have helped reduce the oil comsumption after cleaning the rings.
Is there are way the consumption will go down after my final rinse is done?
Will an oil from Valvoline like Max-life or Durablend help a little?
Does anybody feel BG Moa may help at all, I bought some before the ARX and only used it for two oil changes not sure if I should use it on every oil change from her on in, guess it can't hurt.
I suppose the thing that gets me is that I also own a Chevy pickup with 150,000 ,350 v8 that only goes through 1qt in 2,500 miles

 

[Neil Womack]

Matrass

Welcome to the board.

What weight oil do you usually use in this engine?

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Check the PCV valve and make sure it is working properly.

 

[matrass]

I have been using regular Valvoline 10-30 during the warmer months, 5-30 in the winter, I live in Pa.
During the ARX treatment straight 30 was used.
Once the final rinse is done, 5-30 is what I was planning on using for the winter.
A Saturn user posted an oil control ring problem and one response was to go to a thinner oil because a thicker oil will increase usage, maybe that will help.
Does anybody think that a different oil may help, maybe Valvoline high milage ?
Trying to stay away from the ring seal products, at least for the winter, they are so darn thick.
The pcv valve and breather hose into the TBI was have about 5,000 miles on them.
Checked the pcv recently and it is clean and rattles very easily.
I will Propablly change it just to see if there is a positive effect.
One question on the pcv though, there was a post stating that oil usage may go up unless you are sticking with the original pcv, until then I had never heard of that.
I have a Fram pcv and never had a problem with them.
Just hoping that I am a nervous Nelly and when the second ARX rinse is done I will see some reduction over the next month or so.
One comment I must say is that I am on my second tank of FP and this stuff is wonderful!

 

[Gary Allan]

matrass

If you've got visible sludge in there (putty knife scoopable) ..you've got to figure there is only so much that Auto-Rx can liquify and suspend ..and only so much one filter can hold. The stuff does a fantastic job ..that many here can attest to. I would not hesitate to do a 3rd or 4th treatment.

Where in PA are you that you feel compelled to use 5w30 for the winter (not a bad choice ..just not a "must do")???

 

[matrass]

I can not say that there is visible sludge, through the oil filler hole.
The dipstick has even regained a somewhat shiny appearance.
The ARX has done a great job, improved idle and power to a truck that I thought ran well.
Guess my only complaint ( not the fault of ARX ) is that my consumption has gone up and does not seem to be going down at all.
Maybe I felt the somebody could relay a similar story to make me feel a little better.
Was wondering if an initial dose of LC ( 5 ounces)then the dose of 1oz per 1,000 would pick up where the ARX left off.
My location is northeastern Pa, temps regularly dip to zero.
My trip to work and back is also short, so I like to keep the oil flowing easily.

 

[Gary Allan]

I can see why you want to use a 5w30 in your situation.

I haven't used LC ..so I don't have a clue to what it can do for you.

Check out this Auto-Rx MEGA thread There are some who have experienced increase consumption ..and one or two that resulted in increased leakage. They appear to be in a narrow minority thankfully.

Good luck

 

[matrass]

Thanks for the thread, had a lot of info from many people.
I may have to do another ARX treatment in the spring,do not want to get stuck doing an oil change in the middle of winter without a garage. For now guess I will have to try a high mileage oil for the winter to see if there is an improvement.
It is not like I am looking for no oil consumption at all, just trying to cut it down to a more managable level.
Have to say the ARX does improve engine performance there is no denying that fact!
You may be on to something in your post regarding the filter only being able to hold so much crud,I wish Frank from ARX was available to comment, he may have seen a situation similar to this one,that guy really seems to know his stuff.
I do appreciate all the suggestions so far and will have to go over my pcv system,with a fine tooth comb, maybe I can get lucky.

 

[Rick20]

I really think that you should consider doing another treatment. But wait until your rinse phase is done, before making that judgement. If you are going to run a high mileage oil for the winter months, consider using a maintenance dose of ARX, with it. Thats just 3 oz. per quart, with the new oil change.

Sometimes seal leaks or consumption, get worse before they get better, with ARX. For example, a seal that has been a slow leaker might get worse until all of the contaminants are removed. Then after fully removed the seal can reconform to the rotating shaft.

Although your consumption seems high, in a 305. Consider yourself lucky when compared to a pre-2000 year Northstar motor. They all typically burn 2 or more quarts in a 3000 mile run. And thats pretty much since new.

ARX cleaning and maintenance dose does reduce consumption in Northstar V-8's.

 

[matrass]

I think I am going to do another ARX dose in the spring, not sure if I am going to use high mileage oil or not .
Have to admit that my truck going through 3qts to 3.5 qts in 3,000 miles kinda sucks.
Prior to ARx it was using about 1.5 to 2 quarts per 3,000.
There are still no leaks to be found anywhere.
Maybe after the second rinse will improve it somewhat.
Not sure what else to try at this point.

 

[ekpolk]

If your engine does not come around after the ARX procedures, then it may be time to shift up to a heavier oil. You could experiment with either or both 40 and 50 wt oils. These may not be recommended for your engine, but at this point, you need to put things in perspective. If the present burn rate is unacceptable, then a rebuild or major repair may be the only other option. If you're that far down the road, what would be the harm in trying heavier oil? If it works for you, then you may get several years more good service from this engine before its inevitable rework or replacement.

 

[matrass]

I think this will be a last option if the consumption can not be slowed down.
At that point it will have to be a GM crate engine with the 3yr 50,000 mile warranty.
Hope I will not need to do that soon.

 

[Neil Womack]

After your ARX cycle is complete I vote for the heavier oil. 15w40 or 10w-40 or 5w-40.

 

[dickwells]

Oil analysis on this board shows valvoline to be one of the weaker oils IIRC. I would change to an oil that shows more robust numbers, at least Pennzoil and then maybe pennzoil HM if that doesnt help. Mobil 1 will clean the sludge out of an engine but may be too expensive for your consumption. You say it does not leak so I assume that you park on a hard surface where a rear main seal leak will be evident. If there is any leak at the seal, using 30 wt will certainly make it worse. Good Luck, RW

 

[matrass]

Thanks for the info, let's see what Frank has to say.

 

[matrass]

Sounds like I may have to switch up to a new oil after reading some posts, what would the harm be at this point?
Just not sure which one, anybody have any suggestions? should I stay with dino or try high mileage?
Leaning towards Castrol or Pennzoil.
I would love to run some synthetic, just can not deal with the cost considering that 3 quarts may be lost in one oil change.
The temp here this morning was around 18, so looks like I will be shifting to the 5-30 when my second rinse is done ( about another 500 miles}
I park on a level driveway and there are only spots in the driveway of my wife's Blazer.
Guess it is going to be a while till I see if all my efforts have started to pay off, really thinking about doing another ARX treatment when I have about 2000 miles left on my winter oil change.( figured maybe a 2,000 mile cleaning may be a little more effective}
Anybody know how to contact Frank for m Arx? like to see what he thinks
Let me know what you guys think
thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming

 

[rugerman1]

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