Sebring convertible 2.7 oil consumption question.

[carguy996]

I have a 2006 Sebring Convertible with the 2.7 liter V6 engine. I know that these engines are not known to be very good, but this car has 127,000 miles and has been extremely reliable. As it has been getting older, its starting to use oil. Im well aware of the sludge issue common to these motors and I have been running Syn since new. I have been sticking with the 5w20 oil and the most recent oil is Valvoline SynPower 5/20 with a K&N filter. Im starting to notice the motor using a quart about every 600-750 miles which is a little unusual, normally its been a quart every 1000-1100 miles. Valve cover gaskets are new, there are no leaks under the car that I can tell. I did check the coolant and its clear so its not the water pump also common to these motors. Would this be the time to start using a High Mileage oil, or just stick with what I've been using and just keep adding to it?

 

[tomcat27]

I have plenty of experience with the 2.7. mine is spotless under the valve covers. regardless, you should not be using that much oil. my understanding is that you probably need new valve stem seals... it would not hurt to try a High Mileage oil

 

[tomcat27]

during the "water pump" issue that you refer to, you will find coolant in the oil, not the other way around. actually, there is a weep passage built into the pump that exits under the engine - but that only helps if the shaft seal is weeping or leaking a little. it will not help with major leaks and it wont help if the water pump gasket fails. do you notice any blue smoke in the exhaust?

 

[carguy996]

There is no blue smoke in the exhaust, On warmer days the engine compartment will have a slight smell of burning oil to it, but I can't seem to find any leaks. I even had my mechanic take a look and he couldn't find any leaks on it which we both found odd. His thought was the oil might be burning off before it actually drips to the ground.

 

[tomcat27]

have you changed the PCV valve? the 2.7 was designed to be a "dry", or "leak free" engine. they did a fairly good job of that. not so good on the timing chain design though. it doesn't take much of a seepage to smell out; but the oil consumption rate that you describe sounds like more than a leak that burns off before dripping. change your PCV valve - its easy and cheap.

 

[Rolla07]

Yeah, change the PCV anyways, its only a few bucks and wont hurt. Monitor and if still alot maybe consider an HM..or get an estimate for the problem thats causing it.

 

[DoubleWasp]

I've run into this issue before. I bet all of your oil is being ingested through the intake pipe where the PCV hose connects to it. I had one that would eat the entire sump capacity this way.

 

[dishdude]

Oil pressure sensors also like to leak on these.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
have you changed the PCV valve? the 2.7 was designed to be a "dry", or "leak free" engine. they did a fairly good job of that. not so good on the timing chain design though. it doesn't take much of a seepage to smell out; but the oil consumption rate that you describe sounds like more than a leak that burns off before dripping. change your PCV valve - its easy and cheap.


A "dry,leak free engine" I would believe all engines are designed not to leak oil.

The 2.7 has a track record for valve guide and seal issues. I doubt a High Mileage oil will help bad seals leaking that bad. I got a feeling you will be pulling the heads.After you verified proper PCV operation as described.

 

[carguy996]

I replaced the PCV valve last year, ill take another look at it to see if that's the issue. If not, ill get another opinion from another shop in town.

 

[FutureDoc]

Might as well try High Mileage oil, but I think you have a leak somewhere... and it is being consumed/burning off. Actually, double-wasps idea sounds familiar to me for some reason.

My family had a few sebrings with a 2006 2.7 being the last. They had more issues with the cooling system than anything (thermostat housing leaking that lead to a huge failure). I did not think the 2.7 engine itself were horrible, it was the auxiliary components that would fail it.