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i cannot find an oil leak, and the oil doesn't look, or smell burned, but the level drops a quart every month or so. then the passenger side of the engine starts yelling. last time, it was lifters that went bad. it started tapping this morning. checked the oil level. low, but not much. added half a quart, and the noise stopped. it also seems to only do this when the temp outside is 20 degrees or colder. any thoughts?
1978 302. i just changed the gasket maybe 3 months ago. the rear main seal was leaking. but now there is nothing. i degreased everything hoping to find a leak. it doesn't smell burnt, or look it. i have notice that the hose to my thermotat was leaking, so the coolant was a little low. don't think that has anything to do with it though. the temp seems alright as well. this thing is turning into the mystery machine.
I know there are some shops that will search out oil leaks for free if you have some other service done there. Might be worth the $20 to have an oil change one at a reputable shop. Or maybe try some of that oil dye that shows up under black light. That works but is a little more excessive.
A quart a month (or so) isn't a lot ,really. I think you may be burning it up in your combustion chambers. I would think at that rate the smoke would be barely noticable, and it may even be in the valve seals which wouldn't smoke until you were decelerating . How many miles have you got on that engine? If you can have a buddy follow you while you do some hard accelerating and then let off , you may find he sees some smoke you don't and that's where the oil is going. An engine that burns oil wouldn't necessarily have oil that smells burnt, especially if its getting into the combustion chambers through the valve stem seals.