Oil Consumption

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Jun 28, 2001 | 11:49 PM

Dog_Brains

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Oil Consumption

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Jun-01 AT 01:24 AM (EST)[/font][p]I'm losing oil somewhere and I think its just getting burnt in the cylinders. I'm using about half a quart every 800 miles. I just did a compression test and all 6 cylinders measured between 130-140, is that low or about right? I can find no leaks. Fuel mileage has been poor, 8-10 mpg on the highway. I just changed the plugs, none were fouled, just a nice tan color although it looks like they hadn't been changed in a while. Per my other post, the oil pressure appears o.k. (at the 'o' in 'normal') but I'm not sure how accurate the stock cluster oil gauge is.

Truck runs well, plenty of power, nice and smooth acceleration, no blue smoke. Anyone have any ideas?

1987 F150 4x4 I-6 133,000 miles

Thanks.

Jun 29, 2001 | 08:57 AM

PAUL_2

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Oil Consumption

The compression numbers look pretty good . Id say its the age of the engine is the reason for the oil consumption . I have a 90 model , 175K miles & it uses about the same , maybe a 1/2 qt in a 1000 miles or so . I do have a rear seal leaking so that accounts for some of my loss . I wouldnt worry about it using that much , its seems to be the norm for the 300 .

Jun 29, 2001 | 06:08 PM

theleetbeagle

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From: Canton, OH

Oil Consumption

Run your fingers just inside your tailpipe...if it is really dirty and charcoaly (sp) it's getting burned up. Relatively clean and it coming out somewhere else.

I'd tend to agree w/ the previous poster, though...with that many miles and a jerk of a previous owner, it could just be a worn engine.

Jun 30, 2001 | 07:06 PM

Dog_Brains

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Oil Consumption

The tailpipe is pretty clean, so I guess I have a very efficiently burning engine. There is an upside to this, its like the engine is continually changing its own oil. I just add a quart here and there, spin on an oil filter every now and then and the oil changes itself, no more draining old oil. Some marketing expert might call this 'A self draining and cleaning feature'.

Just kidding, but thanks for the advise, I appreciate everyone's help. This is a great resource.

Jul 2, 2001 | 11:57 AM

warthog299

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Oil Consumption

Hey there, No smoke, your not burning oil. I have 155K and my truck dosent use or consume or leak any oil. You must have a leak. If it was burning oil your plugs and tail pipe would tell you by looking. Probaly a leak, no big deal, could be as easy as a valve cover gasket, just hope it's not a main or rear seal.

1985 F-150, Black with black fiberglass cap. 300 6. Aluminum mag wheels, BF goodrich tires.

Jul 2, 2001 | 08:08 PM

Dog_Brains

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Oil Consumption

The outside of the engine is bone dry, no visible oil leaks. But I did just discover more evidence, first time I have seen this but this was the first time I had taken the truck on a longer drive. An oil puddle under the left front fender via the air filter. So it seems some (maybe all?) oil loss is acounted for by passing from the engine into the air filter via the PCV valve and hose. It doesn't leak like this on shorter drives around town, just a longer haul.

Couldn't be blow-by could it, given the adequate compression test?

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Jul 2, 2001 | 10:17 PM

PAUL_2

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Oil Consumption

Check to make sure the Pcv system is not clogged up & the pcv valve is functioning . There is a pcv filter , under the air filter . Those things need to be changed fairly often on higher mileage engines , they collect a lot of dirt , plus if you do have some oil blowing past the rings it only speeds up the time you have to change that filter .