Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Usage

[hpaul]

Would appreciate a little feedback regarding oil consumption on the 12V. I purchased this truck with about 90k on it and promptly changed the oil and filter. Mopar in both cases.



Had to add a quart at about 1500 miles and another quart at 4000. Changed oil and filter after 5000 miles. Added the first quart at about 2500 miles and was only down about a pint at the 5000 mile change interval. Now have a little over 2,000 miles on that change, over half ofwhich was towing 11K. Oil appears to be less than a pint down.



It would appear that consumption is decreasing. Could there have been a leak that I could not find early on or what? Any comments?



Hugh

 

[RHARVEY]

Thats about what mine does in that mileage when I am towing. But when I dont tow anything the consumption goes down.





Rick



9k Nash 5er



14-15. 3 mpg towing

20-23 mpg empty



Check my sig. to see what we have done... .

 

[Bandit1]

from what i have heard some engines jsut use a certain amou8nt of oil until they reach their happy level, mine uses a small amount everytime and i used to add some to compensate but it jsut uses to a certain level and then stops. no leaks jsut what the engine prefers,

 

[CumminsPower98]

hpaul: Any idea on oil change history from the previous owner? If they were running their oil too long maybe rings were starting to stick? Also did it do a lot of putting around and not get warmed up good to keep things clean? I know engines will burn old oil much faster then new oil also. Just some thoughts, I could be off base.

 

[hpaul]

Appreciate the input from you fellows. Unfortunately, do not know the previous owner, having purchased the truck from a dealer. Dealer had used the truck hauling cars between dealerships for about a year. Truck has been excellent for me, but is a bit difficult to understand the change in oil usage.



Guess as long as usage is decreasing rather than increasing, should not complain.



Hugh

 

[baby.driver]

25 years ago or so I had a brand new FreightLiner with the Cummins Formula 290.

Right off the bat it used more oil than it should of and kept on that way for 40,000 miles. We're talking LOADED miles. The Cummins mechanic said he didn't think the rings had seated and to button up the winter front and make the engine HOT and to run it that way. So the radiator fan was working all the time.

The problem went away and I could open up the winter front to let it run cooler (normal).



Jay

 

[A Johnson]

HPaul, the most likely explanation is that the previous owner was using either a non-premium oil, non 15-40, or was going extended miles on the oil change.



What happens is that the rings carbon up and cannot control the oil. When you install the new oil, in a relatively short amount of time the new detergents work to loosen up the carbon and oil consumption decreases.



Quite often on the N-14 and 855 engines they wont use any noticeable amount of oil for several thousand miles and then will drink a gallon in say 500-1000 miles. The owner then knows that it is time to change oil. I don't recommend this sort of maintenance, but it is a good example of what is probably happening to your engine. A Johnson

 

[hpaul]

Jay and A. Johnson:

Thanks for the input. My previous truck would always burn the first 3/4 quart of oil quite rapidly. Finally learned it would not go much further, provided I did not top it off.



I do recall that when I first got current truck, it was blowing a fair amount of soot, which has since tapered off. Could well be a result of the condition described by A. Johnson.



Hugh