Maxlife and oil consumption

[buck91]

The GF is driving a '01 Olds 3.5L V6 which has a tenacious appetite for oil. Last OCI I filled with Maxlife 5W30 to see if it would help at all... Well its been about 500 miles and the car is down at least a quart again. I'm tempted just to top off with the regular stuff on my shelf but then again I wonder if maybe I should go pick up the expensive maxlife and top up with that to give it a little longer to "do its thing."

Is it worth it to pay the extra for some more maxlife when clearly this little bugger is still as thirsty as ever or should I just learn my lesson and go back to the cheap stuff?

 

[coolbird101]

Back to the cheapest stuff you can find. 10w30 or a straight 30.

 

[Clevy]

If consumption is that high I would use the least expensive option considering you will be replenishing the additives so quickly I doubt wear control will be an issue,nor tbn.
This may be a candidate for filter only changes simy because you are adding a quart of oil for ever 2 tanks of fuel.

 

[HerrStig]

Why use expensive oil in a car headed for the "pick an' pull"

 

[FZ1]

Is the car burning or leaking the oil?

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'd use the cheapest oil I could find at that rate. This is the 3.5L "Shortstar" engine. The piston rings are likely stuck and or loaded with deposits, which is why you're seeing the consumption. Many people with the Northstar V-8 have found much success with giving the car the ol' Italian tune up. Put the shifter into 2nd gear and run it up close to redline and let it coast back down. Do that again a number of times. You have to keep the transmission in a lower range to get the most engine braking you can...unsticking the rings relies on being able to load and unload the piston rings.

Is the car normally driven in an urban or suburban environment, at slower speeds and/or with a slower driving style?

 

[Danh]

Dunno how long you've given MaxLife to work its magic, but it may be worthwhile to give it a bit more time to de-gunk the rings. The cost difference between MaxLife and cheap stuff is only about a dollar a quart so we aren't talking about a major investment here. If nothing changes after 5 or 10k it may be time to capitulate.

 

[72Cude426]

On my wife's car with Maxlife, oil consumption increased the first 500 miles then stopped using oil at 2000 miles.Give Maxlife sometime this stuff is not Magic, some cars it takes some time to work.

 

[buck91]

So these are known to have sticky piston rings? I had just figured it was valve stem oil seals like I've seen in so many engines lately. If that is the case, or likely the case as it would be then I will give the maxlife a little while longer. Have to do some reading and see what the deal is. Might even do a MMO or SF crankcase treatment then before the next OCI.

 

[gregoron]

Also check PCV valve if it needs replacing. Good luck.

 

[GreeCguy]

I would definitely hit it with a MMO soak if you suspect your rings are stuck or gunked. Get ready for the massive smoke cloud, (please video and share for those of us who live for these kinds of things).

 

[ahoier]

Im all for the MMO....but even it will not do "magic" fast results

It's gonna take some time to work....especially if it's really leaking...may even take a couple of doses. Next top, top off with MMO instead of motor oil.......I'd only recommend 1 top off of MMO during the 3k OCI though...as you don't want too high of an MMO concentration in the sump.

 

[buck91]

Ill do the MMO in the crankcase a little while before its due for OCI but I'm not going to do any type of soaking in the combustion chambers or anything.

 

[GreeCguy]

Originally Posted By: buck91
Ill do the MMO in the crankcase a little while before its due for OCI but I'm not going to do any type of soaking in the combustion chambers or anything.


Oh come on, please, pretty please, pretty please with sugar on top, (and be sure to video it and post the copious amounts of smoke on Bitog).

 

[FZ1]

Just let the maxlife work for about 2 ocis.

 

[KCJeep]

I'm a big fan of Maxlife but I don't see it making much of a dent in a 1 qt per 500 miles type of consumption.

 

[147_Grain]

FYI:

One of the better values for the dollar is the Mobil 5000 for $12.97 (5-quart jug).

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-Super-5w30-5qt/17034383

 

[gregoron]

You may also want to try Supertech plain dino oil made by WPP for Walmart. That stopped my 1qt/1k miles oil consumption in 1 OCI. I'm not using it now since ST changed to Citgo in my local WMT.