Oil consumption in between oil changes?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Meriden,Ct
Oil consumption in between oil changes?
i have only owned the truck for 3 months and had the oil changed when i got it. I will admit i haven't checked the oil level in since I changed it. But I checked it today and had to add a little over a quart. I have about 4500mi on this oil and will change at 5000mi. Is it normal for these engines to consume some oil in between changes?? Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: AZ
First, if you didn't check right after someone else changed the oil then you don't know where your starting point was.
But yes a quart+ in 4500 miles is perfectly fine.
My truck burns maybe 1/2 a quart in 5000 miles.
But yes a quart+ in 4500 miles is perfectly fine.
My truck burns maybe 1/2 a quart in 5000 miles.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Without knowing what the measurement of oil that was put into it and how it registered on the dipstick, it is hard to say if the engine is consuming or losing oil at all. Unless of course you are seeing residue dripping underneath or in the valley.
If I were you, I would make a note of where the oil is on the dipstick immediately after a change and then keep an eye on it to see if it is in fact going down. I have a new to me truck (6 months now) as well and it actually was losing oil from the boots (all 6 of them) and the turbo pedestal and the oil level is still fine with no topping it off. I keep an eye on it and check it about once a week only because I am still learning about the truck and its personality.
If I were you, I would make a note of where the oil is on the dipstick immediately after a change and then keep an eye on it to see if it is in fact going down. I have a new to me truck (6 months now) as well and it actually was losing oil from the boots (all 6 of them) and the turbo pedestal and the oil level is still fine with no topping it off. I keep an eye on it and check it about once a week only because I am still learning about the truck and its personality.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Sedalia, CO
A lot of these trucks won't stay at the full mark, for some reason. Mine drops to about a half quart below the line and stays there pretty reliably, though towing hard can make it drop some more.
Mark
Mark
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Gary,Indiana
Also agree that towing it uses more oil but I think that is due to the CCV. I have a catch can and with no towing I get about 3 or 4ozs per 5k but if towing for 1k I get about 4ozs in the catch can.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Gary,Indiana
Dan I have heard most guy use more oil with syn but for me I am actually seeing less loss or the same. The only thing I can think of is I have done less miles towing since oil change.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: north of Minneapolis, MN
As some might recall, last winter I was (and still am) having smoke at cold start. I thought that I had it worked out when I replaced the injectors and did some turbo work. Nope. Runs good, plenty power, compression checks ok. I'll drive it until I swap cabs, then when I have the engine out to change the oil pan, maybe I'll crack it open and look around.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Gary,Indiana
As some might recall, last winter I was (and still am) having smoke at cold start. I thought that I had it worked out when I replaced the injectors and did some turbo work. Nope. Runs good, plenty power, compression checks ok. I'll drive it until I swap cabs, then when I have the engine out to change the oil pan, maybe I'll crack it open and look around.
I too have some smoke on first start up even in the summer. Slight blue I am guessing 200k valve seals & slightly used piston rings. I have GP issue and it's white in the winter. Not bad and I won't sweat it until I have the smokiest diesel on the block.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
I use dino oil (Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15-40) and burn anywhere from 1-3 quarts every 5000 miles. I do have some weepage at my turbo pedestal and another unknown source (currently under investigation). These trucks are meant to burn some to begin with. Depending on what I'm doing changes my burn rate. Daily driving/commuting I burn about 1 quart between changes (5000 miles), off-roading a lot puts me up closer to 2 quarts and towing definitely consumes more than that.
I've got some blowby plus the leaks I know about so I definitely keep some extra on hand for top-off. If it gets down to the low end of the hash marks (2 quarts low) she's a hard start. Getting the oil pressure up to 500psi to bring it to life is harder when you're a 1/2 gallon down so I try to keep it full.
At 263K miles and original sticks, I can't complain about burning 1/2 gallon between changes and it starts every time.
I've got some blowby plus the leaks I know about so I definitely keep some extra on hand for top-off. If it gets down to the low end of the hash marks (2 quarts low) she's a hard start. Getting the oil pressure up to 500psi to bring it to life is harder when you're a 1/2 gallon down so I try to keep it full.
At 263K miles and original sticks, I can't complain about burning 1/2 gallon between changes and it starts every time.
Fleet Mechanic
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Truck in signature uses about 1qt every 4k no load,1qt every 1500 miles loaded 19k gross with 5/40 syn. oil,shows no blowby,or smoke & up to 18mpg.So I don't think you have anything to worry about unless there's other symptoms