Oil consumption
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver
Oil consumption
Since getting my '82 F150 I6 180,000km, I have now done 3 oil changes. Between the first two oil changes there was virtually no oil consumption in 5000km. I used pennzoil 10/30. This last change I used Valvoline HM 10/30 and I've noticed that in a little over 2000km it's gone though a full quart.......quite a difference. Is something deteriorated in the engine or is this a side effect of Valvoline HM?
Any opinions?
Any opinions?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 28
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I have a 1984 f150 straight six and mine doesnt leak oil it will just burn about a quart every three weeks......im planning on getting the motor rebuilt though so that will stop the problem.
is the truck smoking at all?
is the truck smoking at all?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
The typical band aid for high oil consumption is a thicker oil. With 180,000 km on his truck I would try 10w40. Strange how it started consuming with the Valvoline Maxlife. Maybe the higher detergent cleaned off some deposits that were taking up clearance. My truck only used a half quart in 3000 miles on Maxlife 10w40.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 608
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From: TAOS NM
so switching to 10w40 won't cause any damage to the engine if one wants to try the change from 10w30 ?,i have been using "castrol gtx drive hard "in my 69 torino 351w rebuild and she has been using up to much oil and blowing out black water from the pipes in the morning startups.why?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 295
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From: Vancouver
Someone else suggested that I try 15w40, with summer coming up, I'll try thicker oil.
One thing I forgot to mention is that I also did a flush, so it's possible that some deposits got cleaned off allowing greater clearences, although i have no leaks whatsoever
One thing I forgot to mention is that I also did a flush, so it's possible that some deposits got cleaned off allowing greater clearences, although i have no leaks whatsoever
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 608
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From: TAOS NM
will changing to thicker oil hurt anything? 10w30 to say 10w40 ,because my torino was rebuilt a few years back and i just got it and did my first oil change a month ago using the 10w 30 castrol gtx stuff. if it has something to do with the valves and stuff will the thicker oil worsen the problem for later? or no.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Extreme cold and extreme heat aside, 10w30 is probably the best all around dino oil to use. 15w40 would be justified in extreme heat (maybe even 20w50). I use xxw40 in my pickup (below) because the oil pressure with xxw30 was running about 15% lower than the spec range for the engine. My other vehicles are on 10w30.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
The issue, I believe is excess consumption. It may be due to the change in oil brand/type used. Maybe give it a few oil change intervals to see if it continues. Also, check the flash point on the oil it is consuming. If low you can try a different oil. I understand Chevron Supreme has a pretty high flash point. Valvoline Maxlife 10w30 is decent at 230C, but the Supreme I heard is much higher. What else are you gonna do though. The cost of adding oil is a lot cheaper than the cost of a rebuild--if it even needs that. My wife's Aerostar 3.0 V6 runs great, but does consume a couple quarts per 3000 mile interval. Why? I don't know. Has good power. Maybe because I am a lead foot. Hard driving does consume more oil on an otherwise tight engine. Drive it very gingerly and it may consume less. Look at the bright side, every time you top up you are adding fresh oil with fresh additives. 
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 295
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From: Vancouver
As far as price range is concerened, if oil consumption is caused by worn valve seals then worse case you're looking at labor to remove cylinder head(s). Seals are real cheap. They can also be replaced with the heads intact with the right equipment. Any other cause of oil consumption ie rings, can start to get quite costly.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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I have had great luck with the 15-40 Delo in engines that were using oil. I have a f-400, 460. 320,000 miles. Was running castrol 10-30 until about 125,000. Began to use about 1 quart every thousand miles. Swithched to delo, and it is still using less than 1/2 qt. every 3000. You should have seen the sludge that came out of the engine the first few changes with the delo. Had to pull the pan few weeks ago and change oil pump, engine is as clean as new. I was amazed.