Oil issue... Running issue... Question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 6
Oil issue... Running issue... Question
Have had an issue with what sounded or felt like a misfire or timing off. No codes, nothing to go on.
Shop said it could be an exhaust leak prior to the O2 sensor. Seems legit I guess.
Then decided it was time for an oil change... Supposed to be 7 quarts, 7 quarts went in last time I changed oil... but only, get this, 2 (yes, two) quarts came out when draining. WTF?
Missing 5 quarts is significant enough that I would have noticed a leak somewhere under the truck. No leak, no spill, nothing. Truck definitely eating / burning oil. Obviously running only 2 (two!) quarts can cause the hesitation I was feeling. My question: what would cause the truck to be burning so much of it? I don't drive it that much, and oil was changed fairly recently.
Full disclosure - I haven't driven the truck since doing the oil change, so I can't attest to whether the hesitation I was experiencing is better or not. Also I can't say whether the oil loss or burn off is due to the hesitation or something else wrong, or vice versa. Will update later after driving around some to see whether the initial hesitation I felt is gone or not.
Shop said it could be an exhaust leak prior to the O2 sensor. Seems legit I guess.
Then decided it was time for an oil change... Supposed to be 7 quarts, 7 quarts went in last time I changed oil... but only, get this, 2 (yes, two) quarts came out when draining. WTF?
Missing 5 quarts is significant enough that I would have noticed a leak somewhere under the truck. No leak, no spill, nothing. Truck definitely eating / burning oil. Obviously running only 2 (two!) quarts can cause the hesitation I was feeling. My question: what would cause the truck to be burning so much of it? I don't drive it that much, and oil was changed fairly recently.
Full disclosure - I haven't driven the truck since doing the oil change, so I can't attest to whether the hesitation I was experiencing is better or not. Also I can't say whether the oil loss or burn off is due to the hesitation or something else wrong, or vice versa. Will update later after driving around some to see whether the initial hesitation I felt is gone or not.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
my sons Exp 5.4 - 2006 started using oil like that last summer... OK for weeks, then all of a sudden 2-3 quarts low. Missfire was low oil in the VCT ( variable cam timing system) .............. I kept thinking the PCV system was sucking up the oil as no leaks notoed....... it did this 3-4 times over 6 months, then one day locked up.... Ended up with major damage to the cam / timing/ chains and a couple valves.......... don't know it that was the result or the cause...... after motor repaired, no more oil usage.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 6
my sons Exp 5.4 - 2006 started using oil like that last summer... OK for weeks, then all of a sudden 2-3 quarts low. Missfire was low oil in the VCT ( variable cam timing system) .............. I kept thinking the PCV system was sucking up the oil as no leaks notoed....... it did this 3-4 times over 6 months, then one day locked up.... Ended up with major damage to the cam / timing/ chains and a couple valves.......... don't know it that was the result or the cause...... after motor repaired, no more oil usage.
New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Seems to me that keeping your oil topped up will likely prevent damage to bearings and other critical surfaces... but it won't fix the oil consumption issue.
I assume it's burning this excess oil. So there's probably a top end issue somewhere? Intake valve seal? Piston rings?
This is probably something you want to get fixed sooner than later. But keeping topped up on oil is always a good idea.
I assume it's burning this excess oil. So there's probably a top end issue somewhere? Intake valve seal? Piston rings?
This is probably something you want to get fixed sooner than later. But keeping topped up on oil is always a good idea.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 18
No, low oil pressure will trip the light so it must have still been maintaining enough pressure to not trip. There is no warning for low oil level on most vehicles.
Since you changed the oil yourself I guess there is no question you put the right amount of oil in. How about the oil filter? Is it oily? It can cause a major leak if not properly secured or if there's an old gasket stuck to the filter adapter. If there is no evidence of an external leak we are forced to consider internal consumption which means all that oil was burned. This would have produced clouds of blue smoke and destroyed catalytic converters. In the absence of those parameters once again we are coming up short for an explanation. I have heard of some crazy things that happened, like the oil got trapped in the rocker/cam area because of blocked drains. For intermittent oil pressure, there have been objects in the oil pan that would get sucked up onto the pickup screen, lowering oil pressure.
When you find out what's going on, do let us know.
Since you changed the oil yourself I guess there is no question you put the right amount of oil in. How about the oil filter? Is it oily? It can cause a major leak if not properly secured or if there's an old gasket stuck to the filter adapter. If there is no evidence of an external leak we are forced to consider internal consumption which means all that oil was burned. This would have produced clouds of blue smoke and destroyed catalytic converters. In the absence of those parameters once again we are coming up short for an explanation. I have heard of some crazy things that happened, like the oil got trapped in the rocker/cam area because of blocked drains. For intermittent oil pressure, there have been objects in the oil pan that would get sucked up onto the pickup screen, lowering oil pressure.
When you find out what's going on, do let us know.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
I have no proof, but these trucks have variable cam timing. If things start to "go wrong" and you end up with bad timing, I wonder that the crankcase pressure changes and the PCV works " differently" and starts sucking more oil... Don't know this is the case. Sons motor went "LOW" on oil several times and then you start hearing ticking and poor idle ( timing off?)........... I just cant prove what was the cause and what was the result.............. KEEP the oil FULL and check weekly..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EcoboostKev
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
Nov 26, 2014 07:52 PM
rocky50
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 7, 2000 02:02 PM
