Oil recommendation for a GM 3800 that uses some?

[jdeare]

Buick Regal LS, 3800 V6 non supercharged.

I have 33,600 miles on this car and it is using some: approx. 1 qt/1000 miles. I know this is considered acceptable but I wish it was less...

I can't account for the service from 2001-2007. I know the oil was changed at least twice in 2005-2007 by a quicklube place that used bulk Valvoline. Before 2005? Maybe at the dealer, maybe not at all. Before 2005 it was owned by my grandfather and was probably never driven over 45 mph.

I'm currently using Formula Shell 10w30, 5000 mile OCI.

Is there something else I could be using that might resist burning off more? I saw an earlier rec. for MaxLife, but I wanted more input.

What's your recommendation?

 

[Spector]

I have this engine SC version but 1 Qt/1000 is excessive. Mine is about 1 Qt/7500 miles. I would investigate the causes before looking to change oil brands etc. Is it burning it, leaking it, ??? and see if there is a cure, this engine is not known for this type of consumption at so few miles on it.

 

[jldcol]

Is the 34k total miles? What year? Sounds like low mileage, easy use car. This can often not break in the engine as well as need be. Stuck rings likely,the prescibing doctors will soon recommend something to you. HM oils may help with the oil burning. Welcome.

 

[jdeare]

I'm pretty sure it's burning it. No drips on cardboard after a week of being parked over it for ~8 hours at night, the PCV valve was clean and rattled (no oil in intake either).

I have not had any tests done, but my current theory is that it was never broken in correctly and thus oil is getting past the oil wiper rings and burning. It was suggested to me that Sea Foam in the oil might take care of this and I may do that at some point (I was also thinking of using Pennzoil Platinum for the same [lesser] effect without having to use an oil additive that I have no experience with).

I don't think I want to pay to have the rings replaced.

So assuming the oil doesn't start burning a lot faster, I'm OK with it. If I can reduce that by using some other oil, then that's even better...

 

[jdeare]

Originally Posted By: jldcol
Is the 34k total miles? What year? Sounds like low mileage, easy use car. This can often not break in the engine as well as need be. Stuck rings likely,the prescibing doctors will soon recommend something to you. HM oils may help with the oil burning. Welcome.


We must've been typing at the same time...

Yes, that's total miles. It had 14K on it when I got it in 2007 (it is a 2001).

I will see what HM oil is on sale, and thanks!

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Spector
I have this engine SC version but 1 Qt/1000 is excessive. Mine is about 1 Qt/7500 miles. I would investigate the causes before looking to change oil brands etc. Is it burning it, leaking it, ??? and see if there is a cure, this engine is not known for this type of consumption at so few miles on it.



Totally agree! The 3.8 is one of GM's best and to use a qt. per 1K is excessive. Find out why and fix it. I don't like the high
copper in your UOA either. By 33K this motor should be broken in.

 

[jldcol]

I would do a comp/leak down test, you may find its just one bad cyl. You can then try to clean just the bad one/s with whatever you like. Many caution about cleaners being used, so less of it better, perhaps. Cleaning rings would seem to unstick/clean, and therefore lessen oil use, it can also make it worse, if only for a while.

 

[jdeare]

OK, I will look into getting some tests done. That UOA was for the oil from 25,000-30,000, so it may be different now?

 

[sciphi]

Wow, can't believe I'm the first member of the chorus here!

"Auto-RX it!"

I have a 99 LeSabre with the same 3800 Series II/4T65 that's in your Regal that burns a quart every 8000 miles. It had 30k miles when I got it a year ago. Auto-RX helped bump the gas mileage up a good bit.

It's worth a shot, and there are worse things in life to waste $25 on.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Check out Auto-rx in the oil additive section. This is one product I keep using on vehicles like yours because it works. You would follow the oil burning instructions on their website.

If you use this stuff, remember to drive it like you stole it while doing the treatment. It will work better the longer and hotter the engine gets driven. This is one cleaner that can really improve compression and cylinder seal. I say this from extensive personal use on my own cars and customers/friends, as well as the good results that some here on this forum have spoken about. I would save the HM oils (Maxlife is a great one) for AFTER you have run the Auto-Rx.

If you just don't have the patience to do a full Auto-Rx treatment (takes 5500 miles or more), then get a bottle of Amsoil engine flush and run it in the oil for 15-30 minutes on a fast idle like 1500-2000 rpms. I used to do this before finding Auto-RX does a safer and more thorough job cleaning up the rings/pistons. That Amsoil engine flush is some strong stuff.

 

[jdeare]

I will definitely consider it...

I will also say that I am generally skeptical of these engine cleaners. I have no real reason to be, it's just my nature.

But I do appreciate the suggestions!

 

[Nickdfresh]

I'd try a couple of runs of a high mileage 10w30 or even 40 in the summer -to see if that improves things- before ordering expensive additives...

The 3800 is a great engine and I think yours just might need some light cleaning...

 

[Benzadmiral]

I have the same engine, and am using about a quart of PEnnzoil Platinum in 5000 miles. The 4-year-old beast had 44K on it when I bought it, so it wasn't low use; the previous owner (I've met him) bugged out to Texas for Katrina, so it had some solid use.

My Auto-Rx treatment didn't bump up the mileage, and I didn't notice any consumption until *after* the clean and rinse phases were done. But that might have been because I never went beyond 2500 miles on an OCI during each phase, and the loss first becomes noticeable at 2600 miles or so.

It might just be that this engine doesn't "like" PP. We'll see what happens when I go back to dino next month.

 

[PT1]

I would definitely Auto-Rx that engine before you do anything else. Use plain dino oil like PYB or Mobil5000 and follow the directions.

 

[bobfather99]

Very important, are you losing coolant??

3800s have been known to have the dreaded intake leak problems.
If youre having to add coolant once in awhile, youre probably leaking.

As for the oil consumption, mine also is about a quart/1500 miles or so, but I have 174k on it. Ive tried Chevron Delo in the summer, and I was happy, no consumption. Usually I just use whatever is left in my stash, now only 1 jug Superflo and 5 qts of Kendall. With 174k Im just living with it as-is.

My dads 2000 Park Avenue(108k) stopped consuming with a switch to 10w40, brand doesnt matter. Pennzoil 10w40 in it right now.

 

[SilverC6]

Pennzoil High Mileage 10w30 or even 10W-40.

It's got a little higher viscosity than the standard YBP.

It may push your consumption another 500-600 miles per quart.

If it was your grandfather's car, it may have some break-in or maintenance-related problems.

I'd check the compression as someone else mentioned and run diagnostics for any check engine codes.

 

[jdeare]

Originally Posted By: bobfather99
Very important, are you losing coolant??



No, not currently. Also a recent UOA showed no antifreeze in the oil...

I was concerned about the coolant when I first got the car, but it seems to be OK, at least for now.

 

[jdeare]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6
Pennzoil High Mileage 10w30 or even 10W-40.

It's got a little higher viscosity than the standard YBP.

It may push your consumption another 500-600 miles per quart.

If it was your grandfather's car, it may have some break-in or maintenance-related problems.

I'd check the compression as someone else mentioned and run diagnostics for any check engine codes.



Thanks! I was thinking the exact same thing.
Wouldn't check engine codes cause my check engine light to be on?

 

[jdeare]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral


It might just be that this engine doesn't "like" PP. We'll see what happens when I go back to dino next month.


Interesting. Doesn't Shell own Pennzoil?

 

[SKUNKY]

My wifes 2000 Buick 3800 with 68k doesn't use a drop...
Maxlife 5-30 now...started with Durablend 5-30