Burning A Crazy Amount of Oil

[djrasras]

So I've posted a bit about this before and have tried a lot of your guys' suggestions, but unfortunately my oil-burning problem is getting out-of-control. My old LLT spun a bearing at 50k miles because I wasn't filling up the oil fast enough as it burned (1/2 a quart a week). The used motor I replaced it with (has ~60k miles on it as of now) burns pretty much the same amount, but obviously I'm completely on top of it and always pour about 1/3 of a quart consistently every time I fill up on gas. The thing it I am just really worried that something will happen and more oil will burn than usual and next thing I know another engine replacement is needed. I am very desperate to do whatever I can besides swapping in another motor to mitigate the amount of oil burned. Spark plugs were changed less than 10k miles ago, I always check the PCV to make sure its clean, and I have a catch can.

I'm actually getting ready to do an oil change next weekend. I've had friends tell me they use certain oil brands on their oil-burning cars to combat it, can anyone attest to this that it works? Any oil brands that actually have higher burn temperatures that can help my issue somewhat?

Thank in advance for any advice.

[tomlink]

Have you checked for a leak? You are using an absurd amount of oil. If you are truly burning it the car should be smoking, at least when it starts. My 2011 LLT uses a quart in maybe 4000 miles.

[sdmaro]

^same, i check 1-2 times a week before i drive out in the mornings. i tend to have to put in a quart after 3-4k miles if i don't have time to do an oil change

[djrasras]

Originally Posted by tomlink

Have you checked for a leak? You are using an absurd amount of oil. If you are truly burning it the car should be smoking, at least when it starts. My 2011 LLT uses a quart in maybe 4000 miles.

I never have seen any leaks in my driveway even after letting the car idle for a while. Whats the best way to check for oil leaks on these cars?

[Elite Engineering]

What catchcan do you have and how is it configured? Have you done the "drill mod" to the PCV barb on the rear of the passenger side valve cover? And at 60k miles, manual intake valve cleaning?


Let us know more and we can help you.

[djrasras]

Originally Posted by Elite Engineering

What catchcan do you have and how is it configured? Have you done the "drill mod" to the PCV barb on the rear of the passenger side valve cover? And at 60k miles, manual intake valve cleaning?


Let us know more and we can help you.

I have your catch can (collects bit but not much), regularly clean the PCV barb, but have not done manual intake valve cleaning. This is a junkyard engine i bought with it being at 55k miles, and I have put another 10k on it since. Is it recommended to have a professional do the valve cleaning? How much does it usually cost?

[RubyCamaro]

Lots of folks do it themselves. Depends on your skill level & comfort with doing it. I have not done it & would probably get mine professionally done or find a friend to help me. Just over my comfort level.

[gringo]

You can use a thicker weight oil to mitigate oil consumption. However, I would first try to find out why the used junkyard engine is using so much oil

How are you verifying the second engine had 55K miles when you bought it? Maybe it has 155k miles or even 255k miles.

The PCV barb needs to be drilled out larger on the LLT and early LFX. Have you done that yet?

After checking those things, I'd probably get a compression and leakdown test performed on it to determine the true health of the engine.

[djrasras]

Thanks for the advice everyone. When I take out the PCV valve its usually not even close to clogged, but of course I run a wire through it anyway. Do you still think it would still make a difference to drill it larger anyway?

[Elite Engineering]

Remove the barb and drill the bottom to 5/64" each, and top hole to 1/8".


Are you running our dual valve E2-X and cleanside unit?

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by djrasras

I never have seen any leaks in my driveway even after letting the car idle for a while. Whats the best way to check for oil leaks on these cars?

My 89 truck had an oil leak that would only happen while driving, never dripped a bit on the ground but you could see where the oil had blown back on the underbody. It used a quart about ever 1,000 miles.

[djrasras]

Originally Posted by Elite Engineering

Remove the barb and drill the bottom to 5/64" each, and top hole to 1/8".


Are you running our dual valve E2-X and cleanside unit?

E2, but no cleansed. Would the drill mod still make a difference if the barb is never clogged when I check? Just curious.

[djrasras]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

My 89 truck had an oil leak that would only happen while driving, never dripped a bit on the ground but you could see where the oil had blown back on the underbody. It used a quart about ever 1,000 miles.

Interesting. I remember a while ago there used to be additives people would add to their oil to make it easy to spot a leak (the additive would make the oil look reflective or something iirc). Is that still a thing? I only ask because I did a quick check last time the car was jacked and didn't see anything. I'll definitely do a more thorough look this weekend.

[lafountain]

Originally Posted by djrasras

Interesting. I remember a while ago there used to be additives people would add to their oil to make it easy to spot a leak (the additive would make the oil look reflective or something iirc). Is that still a thing? I only ask because I did a quick check last time the car was jacked and didn't see anything. I'll definitely do a more thorough look this weekend.

I have seen places that add a dye to your oil and have you drive around for a couple days then bring it back and they use a black light to see the leaks.