Sudden oil consumption?

[Gebo]

My daughter's 2001 IS300 has started using from the full mark to about 1/4 inch over the low mark on her oil dipstick in 5000 miles. Coming up on 135,000 miles and it has never used any oil before. I know most of you are gonna say, don't worry about it but it just started at 120.000 miles. Any places to check? My wife has the exact same engine with bunch of miles at it doesn't lose any oil between 5K changes.

 

[Hollow]

Check PCV and valve cover gaskets.

 

[Astro14]

So, you're using half a quart now in 5,000 miles?

Whew...I don't know what I would do in that situation...actually, it's probably best to get rid of a real oil-burner like that...let me give you my phone number...I could take it off your hands...

 

[toneydoc]

That is funny Astro. If he would sell the oil burner to me, I would overhaul her when the oil burn got real bad. Maybe. Or maybe I would add a little and not worry about it too much. Either way, what do you want for the machine?

 

[Cardenio327]

I don't mean any offense by this, but did she perhaps change boyfriends at 120,000 mi.? Different people driving a car will have different driving habits.

I wouldn't call 3/4 qt. consumption over 5000 miles on that old of a car "sudden".

 

[hounddog]

What oil? Anything changed there?

 

[Gebo]

I've used 3 different oils over the last 15K miles with 5K OCI's. When I say suddenly, from 30K to 115K it used no oil. At 120K it used no oil. At 125K it used over a qt. At 130K it used over a qt. Just getting ready to change it at 135 and it has used 3/4 qt. All I'm asking is are there some obvious places to check. I guess I'll check out the valve covers and replace the PCV for starters.

I've always used 5w30 oil with Japan made Toyota oil filters. I've used Amsoil, Kendall, Honda oils.

 

[Propflux01]

What oil for the last 3 changes? I'd go back to whatever you used in the first 120K. If it still consumes you might have a stuck (or broken) oil ring (If, of course, the PCV and any external leaks are taken care of).

 

[Astro14]

Clearly I was kidding Gebo...you see a sudden rise, but are you certain that there even was a rise in consumption? Could there have been a change in driving style that would affect consumption or in apparent consumption? I would change the PCV first, given the mileage, that could cause a change...after that, I really wouldn't worry about it, given the age of the car...and it is a nice car...

 

[gregoron]

Have you been using OEM oil filters all this time? Did you recently change brand? Just another thing to consider in addition to the PCV valve and perhaps air filter. Again, I'd go with OEM.