Subaru starting to consume some oil.

Pennzoil motor oil
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THORROMIG

THORROMIG

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My Subaru in signature has started to consume some oil here the last couple oil changes I noticed. Last oil change of Pennzoil High Mileage 5W30 it consumed 3/4 of a quart at my normal 5000 mile OCI. Checked the oil today at 3005 miles on this OCI & was down half a quart using the new Rotella T6 5W30 Multi Vehicle. Car has alittle over 94 thousand miles & just developed this consumption. I know its nothing major but out of nowhere. Previous I ran almost strictly Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 since new.


Dale
 
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That's noting to worry about at almost 100k. Heck some fords consider a quart every 2k acceptable. I would not worry about that at all. Pour a 1/2 qt in halfway through the OCI and be happy.
 
Along with the PCV you could try to clean the ring packs. A few chemical based cleaners have been used to successful clean a few gummy rings.
 
IMO its either the PCV, a valve seal fail or the long term oil selection was not keeping the piston return holes and rings clean. Perhaps a piston soak and a different oil will help.
 
I think just about every engine should get a 1-oil change interval treatment of Valvoline Premium Blue Restore 10w30 every 100,000 miles to clean up the ringlands. Every engine can get too much gunk collecting near the oil control rings, and maybe sticky upper rings too. Clean them up, and see if it helps. At cummins service centers and ryder fleets, may have to google-shop mail order for it.

"The base oil formulation is formed by blending Group III and/or Group IV lubricants with higher solvency base oil from Group V in relative amounts to establish the effective solvency, volatility, oxidative stability and base oil viscosity, while remaining compatible with elastomers, providing acceptable corrosion prevention and cleaning of the engine without excessive oil consumption." -- https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...arbon-cleaning-valvoline-premium-restore

Capture111111111.webp
 
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Also my experience has been when you change over to a syn, there is some extra consumption for a couple of OCIs, then it goes back to normal. Maybe creating a new glaze on the cylinder walls, valve stems, places that could allow oil through, who knows. But it always seems to happen initially. Maybe just be patient for a couple OCIs and see if it stops or slows down.
 
No leaks?. About time for VC seals to start leaking into plug well holes.

Check/ clean all PCV.

Don't over fill. Under fill a cup.

Is this out of the head gasket failure years? Maybe not.
 
Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
I think just about every engine should get a 1-oil change interval treatment of Valvoline Premium Blue Restore 10w30 every 100,000 miles to clean up the ringlands. Every engine can get too much gunk collecting near the oil control rings, and maybe sticky upper rings too. Clean them up, and see if it helps. At cummins service centers and ryder fleets, may have to google-shop mail order for it.

"The base oil formulation is formed by blending Group III and/or Group IV lubricants with higher solvency base oil from Group V in relative amounts to establish the effective solvency, volatility, oxidative stability and base oil viscosity, while remaining compatible with elastomers, providing acceptable corrosion prevention and cleaning of the engine without excessive oil consumption." -- https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...arbon-cleaning-valvoline-premium-restore


As much as I'm a Valvoline fan, I think simply using a quality oil with a reasonable oci, taking long highway trips occasionally if you do a lot of city/stop-and-go driving, and maybe a nice 0-100 pull on a warmed up engine every once in a while, shouldn't require any special cleaning additives, processes, or special oils...
 
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If the engine appears wet/dirty, it could be a minor leak that is losing oil but not enough to drip onto the ground. I had a leak that was consuming 1/4 quart per 5,000 miles without ever making my driveway. It must have been evaporating. Something to consider.
 
Originally Posted by dogememe
Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
I think just about every engine should get a 1-oil change interval treatment of Valvoline Premium Blue Restore 10w30 every 100,000 miles to clean up the ringlands. Every engine can get too much gunk collecting near the oil control rings, and maybe sticky upper rings too. Clean them up, and see if it helps. At cummins service centers and ryder fleets, may have to google-shop mail order for it.

"The base oil formulation is formed by blending Group III and/or Group IV lubricants with higher solvency base oil from Group V in relative amounts to establish the effective solvency, volatility, oxidative stability and base oil viscosity, while remaining compatible with elastomers, providing acceptable corrosion prevention and cleaning of the engine without excessive oil consumption." -- https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...arbon-cleaning-valvoline-premium-restore


As much as I'm a Valvoline fan, I think simply using a quality oil with a reasonable oci, taking long highway trips occasionally if you do a lot of city/stop-and-go driving, and maybe a nice 0-100 pull on a warmed up engine every once in a while, shouldn't require any special cleaning additives, processes, or special oils...

Except that there arent many places a person can do a 0-100 pull.
 
They can do it. I had my 97Outback up over 100 when she had over 100000 on the clock. Drag limited to about 115.
 
Originally Posted by SubieRubyRoo
Originally Posted by ArazelEternal
Except that there arent many places a person can do a 0-100 pull.

Especially with a 13 year old, NA EJ25
lol.gif



Yup, that requires careful planning and long-term strategic thinking. 2009 Forester with NA EJ25 on board here...
 
The PCV has to be addressed for sure. Have been taking it on some longer highway runs here lately. Cruising along in 5th gear at 70mph it does tack 3000 rpms and going up to only 75mph its tacking 3500 rpms. Not that the motor cant tolerate that but its not used to tacking more than 2-3000 rpms at any given time. Color of oil really does not represent what is going on neither but with this oil change of Rotella T6 5W30 -- the oil is super black at 3000 miles on this OCI.
 
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Considering the change you have seen in the color, while it does not represent the oil is "spent", it is an indicator that the Rotella chemistry may be different enough to be causing the very minor consumption you are seeing.

What I noticed on my Forester is anything 65 or below, there is essentially zero oil consumption, even with 220k+ miles on it. A quick burst above 70 also shows no consumption. But when I go highway driving at sustained speeds of 70-75+ for an hour or longer, it will use about a quart every 2k, just like yours.

So, considering its glacial acceleration above 70 unless I'm beating the living snot out of it (I try to avoid this) and the known consumption issues above 70mph, I either drive on roads with 55-65mph speed limits, or camp out in the right lane and enjoy the view on 70mph highways. I figure 17 years of tough service have earned it a shot at not being made to turn 3k+ RPM for extended periods.
 
I'd try Mobil 1 5w or 10w30 high mileage.

A horizontally opposed engine will naturally consume more oil. A higher viscosity will help.
 
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