Oil usage ?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
Oil usage ?
Since I bought my truck just over a year ago I have had to add 3 to 4 quarts of oil in a 5000+- oil changes. A lot of oil in my opinion. Truck runs great never smokes doesn't have too much blowbye(did the oil cap upside down thing). So now this oil change I am at 4200 miles now and it only has used barely a quart. Previous change was 3.5 qts for 4900 miles. I did change oil brands from Rotella to Delvac. Both 15/40. Anyone have oil consumption differences from brand to brand? Just before I changed my oil I also put an AIS intake on my truck. Could my old air filter have been too restrictive for my setup, and was sucking oil through my ccv? I changed the previous filters every 15000 miles so I wouldn't think it was clogged? I'm defiantly not complaining but just wondering why the drastic change? Anyone see this before? If something is wrong with my truck I would think I would start using more oil not less. Thanks for any input.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
1. Are you driving any differently (i.e. not towing or hauling as much?)?
2. Did the previous owner use the same Rotella that you did?
3. Have you done any repairs to stop even minor oil leaks?
You can definitely see consumption differences between oil brands, and how much difference will depend on the quality of the base oil, the differences in additive packages, etc. If the previous owner used something other than the Rotella you used, then you could see an increase in consumption on the first change if you go to an oil with a stronger detergent package. The rule of thumb when changing oils is to run two-to-three intervals on an oil before you'll find out exactly how it will play out for your truck in the long term.
2. Did the previous owner use the same Rotella that you did?
3. Have you done any repairs to stop even minor oil leaks?
You can definitely see consumption differences between oil brands, and how much difference will depend on the quality of the base oil, the differences in additive packages, etc. If the previous owner used something other than the Rotella you used, then you could see an increase in consumption on the first change if you go to an oil with a stronger detergent package. The rule of thumb when changing oils is to run two-to-three intervals on an oil before you'll find out exactly how it will play out for your truck in the long term.
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
If it's not leaving drops or puddles under it, and no oil in the coolant that you can see, I would not be real concerned with it. I switched to Delvac 15/40 last change and I can still see through it at almost 3000 miles on it. So far added 3/4 quart.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
All has been the same type of driving. I have had my truck for 35000 miles so far and have done many oil changes. Also I'm kinda obsessive (wierd) at times and whenever I get a vehicle I change the oil at 1000 miles the first two or three oil changes to clean it out. I wouldn't think the PO oil type would matter at this point? Also, no oil leaks at all besides my stock intercooler boots were seeping oil before I replaced them. I thank you for your ideas and input. I hope the new oil I am using is better for my truck, it's sure nice to not have to add a gallon of oil inbetween oil changes.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
I do keep it at the full mark. I will try the 1/2 quart low idea and see what it does for me. Thanks
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
Ever since I bought my truck when I am at 5k my oil always looks somewhat clear on the stick. Other diesels I have seen will have black oil at 500 miles after an oil change.
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Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
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From: Alaska
Your usage sounds about right, I run Rotella syn at 8000 mile intervals. I generally use a gallon between changes.
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