Oil consumption, a bad thing?

[otis24]

Is oil consumption, in and of itself, a bad thing? What is going on inside me engine if it is consuming oil?

My 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.8 liter V6) was consuming 3/4ths to 1 quart of oil in about 1200 miles using both Havoline (5w/20 and 5w30) and Motorcraft (5W/20 and 5w30). The van currently has 41800 miles on the odometer. I am 2000 miles into my current oil change using Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. The van has only used about 1/4th of a quart of oil.
Generally, I can not justify paying the cost for a synthetic motor oil. Would I be better to continue using a dino (Havoline or Motorcraft) and just adding a quart when needed or stick with PP and reduce/eliminate the problem?
If I do stick with PP, I will run it 4000 miles and do a used oil analysis.
What would you do?

 

[Steve S]

If the syn oil reduces the consumption at the rate of 1/4 in 2,000 miles compared to 3/4 to 1 quart per 1,200 miles I would think there should a savings . Is the oil consumption the same through out the oil change interval or does it increase as the miles accumulate? This is something I am adamant about is syn oil is a total waste of money unless it is run at longer oil change intervals like over 7,500 miles.

 

[TimVipond]

I'd use the oil with the lower consumption. The higher consumption oil could be taking with it some of the metals to your catalytic converter, poisoning it. Price parts and labor for a catalytic converter and you'll want to avoid replacing it. Oil leaking past the rings could leave deposits in places better off without deposits.

For a comparison of volatility of oils, take a look at http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g1971.pdf and you will notice that Havoline and Motorcraft oils have higher Noack volatility than the Pennzoil Platinum which is exactly what you are seeing and read why lower Noack values are important.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Quote:

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I am 2000 miles into my current oil change using Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. The van has only used about 1/4th of a quart of oil.

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After all the oil consumption you had with that vehicle since new - prior to the switch to Pennzoil Platinum, if I were you, I would stick with the Pennzoil Platinum.

You are finally seeing a nice consumption reduction.
Stay with what's working for as long as this continues.
Don't get off this course. Glad to see you are finally getting this engine to operate/function normally.

It's about time!

 

[otis24]

Thanks for the input. Hopefully, I can get to AA and stock up on PP while it is BOGO.

 

[gaia]

Seems to me isn't there something wrong? For a 2 year old vehicle with only 42k on the odo, it shouldn't be consuming any oil at all?

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I think it depends on the vehicle. I have a 99 SL2 Saturn. Very common for the oil control rings to become dirty, and to have oil consumption. One thing I have been told to do is use synthetic oil. It is supposed to clean things and leave less deposits. It will be interesting to see if the Pennzoil Platinum I have will reduce consumption like Otis.

Otis, I know in Saturns they can go 200,000+ with more oil consumption then you have. Is it a bad thing? It gives me a reason to come here and find out more about oil. Otherwise, I would not pay much attention to the oil and filter choice.

 

[Anduril]

Wouldn't a good Auto-RXing or similar clean the rings and clear up the problem?

 

[bmwtechguy]

Auto-rx could not hurt, but may not reduce consumption, especially if the rings are already free and sealing well. Some engines just use more oil, and I have seen similar reductions in "normal" consumption when switching from conventional to BOGO PP. The price ends up being about the same with the BOGO sale, so I say go for it.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Quote:

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Wouldn't a good Auto-RXing or similar clean the rings and clear up the problem?

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I did two Auto-RX treatments 30,000 miles ago. I am currently a few hundred miles into my third treatment (cleaning and rinse phase). I did not notice a drop in consumption, but the car did seem to run stronger. Too many variables. I would say if you find an oil that reduces consumption, stick with it. My understanding of oil control rings is even if they are clean, they may have lost some of their tension/effectiveness.

 

[Merkava_4]

If I had any oil consumption, I would just go up in viscosity; whether it be an High Mileage oil in the grade I was using or one full grade up would depend on the amount of consumption. Also you have to realise that oil consumption may not always be a mechanical issue; some engines just prefer a heavier oil.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

That is pretty much the advice I have been getting. In my 1.9 engine, Rotella-T 5w-40 has been recommended. I will be using that this summer. I also have some Rotella-T 10w30, though not a high mileage oil, it is on the heavy side of a 30 weight, and my assumption is it will hold its weight better compared to some oils. My car drank the Mobil 1, but from what I have read, cars with no consumption started using oil when they switched to Mobil 1. My understanding, it is on the thin side. The experts here can correct me if I am wrong.

 

[otis24]

My vehicle is spec'd for 5w20. I am running Penn. Plat. 5w30. I bought 24 quarts today at Advance Auto Parts (Buy One Get One Free). $72= $3/Quart.