Valvoline Restore and Protect 2AZ-FE Observations & Questions

[NITester]

I've got a valve cover gasket leak, but it doesn't hit the ground yet. It doesn't leak enough to make it smell when I start it up in the morning, so I'm putting it off for now. I'm down about 1/4 quart in 2000 miles or so. I think it's all from the leak.

I don't get any spots on the ground either, but the other morning my BIL said he noticed an oil smell when I started it. We had the hood up and that's the area where he smelled it. When the engine shuts down, all the oil drains to the pan so the leak stops. I can see the weepy valve cover gasket, but it's possible I also have other leaks. I'm still kinda puzzled why I saw the oil consumption stop in local driving. Maybe the change in weather and temperature?

Another thing I checked on the long trip was gas mileage and it got exactly 30 MPG which is 1 MPG better than the EPA highway rating for a manual. I put brand new tires on the day before and have heard that can take a few MPG during the first thousand miles or so and winter blend fuel has less BTU's. I got 34 MPG on the same trip in the summer with old tires.

 

[NITester]

I'm approaching 3500 miles on this oil change. I have not added oil since December and that was 2 ounces. Since then it's been all mixed local driving of about 20 miles a day, no prolonged highway, no drips on the pavement either. Temperatures have been in the single digits in the mornings and no funky noises on startup, except today. It wasn't loud and it sounded like it was deep inside for about 1-2 seconds and then gone. Before using Valvoline, cold start noises were a rattly sound for a second. What I heard today was a very soft knock and then gone and it was 10 F after sitting more than 24 hours. If I weren't listening for it I wouldn't have noticed anything except turning over a little slower.

 

[Hohn]

Great report, I love it when people follow up the threads long term. Thank you!