Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) oil usage

[Tractorat]

Just got back from a 2500 mile round trip to southern Utah. It was hot, and I had to climb a few steep grades.



Just before going on my trip, I had my first oil change to Delvac. I've always used Delo in the past Although Ive never used oil before, it was down a quarter to maybe a third of the safe zone on the oil stick. . Up until now, this truck hasn't used any oil



It seems like I remember seeing a thread on the tdr quite a while back where someone changed to a different oil, and experienced oil usage. So, they went back to their old oil and the problem was corrected. That really doesn't make any sense to me, using oil just because of a different oil brand. But my truck doesn't smoke, I don't see any leaks etc.



Does this sound plausible ?



Thanks.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Is it possible that you short poured yourself when you changed it? I can't imagine changing from one brand of dino oil to another would cause you use that much oil in 2500 miles.



Sam



P. S. An MGB that doesn't leak oil???? Really???:-laf

 

[HBarlow]

You're down one quart after 2500 miles over the mountains? You didn't provide any meaningful facts. How many miles on engine? Has it been well maintained with good oil and Fleetguard filters? Towing?

Down one quartr is not really a big deal. I would check it again when level and after plenty of drain time. If still low add a quart and run it. Check it again in another 2500 miles.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

I wouldn't think there is a major problem. Must be the southern Utah route. We did a 4,100 mile in July and used about 1/2 quart pulling some steep grades towing our AF 25S on Utah Hwy 12 and California Hwy 49. I have been using Delo for the past 2 years because it seems to have less soot showing up in the oil (better ring sealing?) and almost zero oil consumption in 7,500 miles daily running around. With Shell Rotella T6 it would use about a quart between oil changes. Although it would be unfair to compare the oil consumption characteristics of the lighter Shell 5w-40 to the heavier Delo 15w-40.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

... P. S. An MGB that doesn't leak oil???? Really???:-laf

Doesn't that happen after it all leaks out???
Had a '69 that didn't leak oil. When it used a quart it was ready for an oil change - about 3,000 mi.

 

[Grizzly]

I'd blame it on the hot conditions and the steep pulls while towing. Sounds normal.



My old gasser F250 would use oil when towing with Pennzoil, but not with Valvoline.

 

[Tractorat]

You're down one quart after 2500 miles over the mountains? You didn't provide any meaningful facts. How many miles on engine? Has it been well maintained with good oil and Fleetguard filters? Towing?

Truck has only about 90k on it (not even broken in yet. Well maintained, (It was actually about 3300 miles since the last change. I change it every 3k miles. I was towing a 4klb TT.



No, not a big deal. But its never used oil before. Went on the same exact drive last summer, same time of year, and didnt use a drop.

Doesn't that happen after it all leaks out???

Had a '69 that didn't leak oil. When it used a quart it was ready for an oil change - about 3,000 mi.

Doesnt even use oil. Level stays the same whether its 6 months or almost a year between changes.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

... Doesnt even use oil. Level stays the same whether its 6 months or almost a year between changes.

AH-HA! I see your tricky magic,TRat. Ya gotta "drive" the MG, not let it sit for 6 months to a year between changes. The old MG's were a peppy, reliable car in my experience. The only issue we had was in the electrical department - the battery cable that connected the two 6 volt batteries looked new, but corrosion snuck under the insulation and ate the wire. Had 12 volts but not enough conductor to carry the starting current.

Ooops... off track, back to Oil consumption on the Ram. Out of curiosity I would change back to Delo to see if the consumption goes back to "normal". Some oils have additives that "evaporate" quicker than others. This is another reason I switched to Delo from Shell after I had the dealer do an oil change and was surprised at the results. Have 117,000+ miles and "baby" it with 7,500+/- interval changes, depending on useage. My only concern using dino Delo vs. full synthetic Shell Rotella is the possibility of coking the turbo bearing on a vacation run towing thru the 16% grades we encountered in Utah. Water temp just touched the upper line on the gauge - no ding/check gauges surprise though, but close to it.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks,
I probably will switch back to delo next time I go on a long trip just to test.

BTW, during the summer, I drive the mg all the time. Went to 12 volt a couple of years ago. Runs like a top. Starts with just a touch of the key. Just like a diesel.