2000 EXP with 157,000 miles and burning (not leaking) oil. Having to add 1QT per 1,000 miles. What's a good oil additive to help with the burning?

 

If it were me, I'd try a well designed oil one weight up rather than use viscosity improvers. You'll end up with a better oil and it's cheaper.

 

I am already using Mobile 1 SYN 15,000 5w3oW so I could move up to 10W30W. I live in Georgia so the weather doesn't really get too hot or cold.

 

No, your thinking is a tad backwards. Try a 10W40 that says for "High Milage" engines. A lot fo people around here seem to like Valvoline Maxlife.

 

i would first check the PCV its the most common cause of oil consumption in these engines.

 

Good idea. Too much vacuum will suck the oil right out of the crankcase. I had a Honda that went from zero oil consumption to 300 miles per quart. The vacuum felt at the oil filler was phenomenal! After replacing the PCV valve, oil consumption returned to zero.

Also, sometimes the oil rings will get a little sticky from short trips that don't get things warmed up real well. But really, 1000 mi/qt is not that bad. It's probably even considered acceptable for a new vehicle by the manufacturer's.

WiseMagic, Welcome to FTE!
Thanks for joining us in the Oil and Lubrication forum!

 

Yep, go with 10w40. 10w30 will not significantly reduce consumption over 5w30 IMO.

 

Do you see blue smoke, or smell burnt oil? If smoking, all the time, or just after startup?

 

A little smoke at startup only and not noticeable all the time.

 

As also stated, replace PCV valve with Motorcraft part. Forget aftermarket pieces. Then run a quality dino oil such as Chevron Supreme 10w30. Replace the last quart with Chevron Supreme 10w40. Move OCI's up, so you're cleaning any deposits out of the engine.

I'll bet that helps to even out your oil consumption / burning, unless too much engine wear has already occurred in your Expedition.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. All of the other suggestions are good too. I am not a fan of using higher viscosity oils in a modern, gasoline, emission controlled engine. However, I've always based that on a tight engine. High mileage engines, with oil burning, oil useage, I've always stated that then it's okay to use a higher viscosity oil/.

 

At that mileage and being an OHC engine, it is probably your valve seals. I agree that trying a "High Mileage" formula may be just the ticket.

Jim

 

That's valve seals. I would go up to 10w30 hi-mileage formula and see if that helps.

 

With the smoke at start up, I agree with the valve seal leak ideas & also would suggest tying a "high mileage" formula engine oil, in the specified viscosity for the temp extreems this engine will see over the up coming OCI.

Also consider choosing an oil thats known to have good detergency, low volatility, a high flash point, or good HT/ST numbers, as those atributes should help it stand up to the hot temps you'll see down in Ga. during summer & maybe help some in consumption & deposit formation, while it tries to soften the seals & tidy up the engines deposits.

This "high mileage" recipe oil, has seal softners in it, that might work to soften up the valve stem seals & help them stifle their weeping oil into the combustion chamber.

Also with it having burned 1 qt per thousand miles for a while, you likely have some carbon deposits that'll need tidying up too, so also consider trying at least 5 tanks of a gasoline with a dood detergent add pack, that says it'll also clean up combustion chamber deposits, like Texaco or Chevron with Techron, or try treatng a tank or two of gas, with a bottle of "Techron Concentrate Plus", at the specified oz per gallon treat rate, stated on the contaiiner.

Between the ol & gas treatment, you may see an improvement in oil consumption & even a driveability & mpg improvement.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

 

All great points....

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head to www.bobistheoilguy.com and you'll see thousands of posts on how well it works.
or you can go to their site www.auto-rx.com