Guys,
I have recently bought a 97 5 spd. Only 37K on her. She was only driven several miles daily and likely not completly warmed up. I am losing about a quart every 500-700 miles. It is not leaking under the car at all. We have run sea foam in her, also ran a quart of diesel just before an oil change. It seems to be slowing down a little. My mechanic buddy thinks the "oil scrapers" on the pistons are all sludged up. He recommended frequent oil changes, and Lucas oil treatment, perhaps opil for high mileage cars.
Any one with similar problems? Solutions? This is a little hard to take as my old 93 VE Maxima had 200k and I was going 5K on an oil change and the oil on the stick never even moved. Ideas appreciated.

Dan

 

If the car was driven several miles daily, as you say, wouldn't it be completely warmed up despite the cold Minnesota winters. A 4th Gen engine comes to operating temperature fairly quickly. Even in the dead of winter it would only take say 3 to 5 miles driving slowly to warm the car up, wouldn't it?

 

The car was from Albquerque, New Mexico. Driven for short intervals, probably 95% under 45 mph. I am commuting 35 miles each way . I drive 85 mph. Could this play a part?

dan

 

I don't think the short interval driving has anything to do with it. It strikes me that a New Mexico-based car should have warmed up fairly quickly. And your driving style probably has nothing to do with the oil loss problem either.

Given that you can see no evidence of oil leaks under the car, this is truly unusual.

Have you had a compression test of the engine?

 

its its not leaking oil its a possible that your burning the oil. Compression check, maybe your leaking oil onto a hot surface that burns off the oil. throwing posibilites out there.

 

At 37K you shouldnt be using anything...especially a Quart every 500 miles..thats rediculous....First start out with a compression Check..that will give you a good idea of the conditon of your engine

If the person before you NEVER changed the Oil, then your VQ could have some sludge thats just gettin worse...

Put in some Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic, Run it for like half the life of the oil, drain...do that for like a year and I garentee youll get good results.

Make sure your putting in enough Oil as well

I dont burn a drop, ever....136K miles Supercharged 11psi..Synthetic Mobile 1 10W-30 every 3K miles

 

I know the previous owner and the oil was changed at least several times a year. I will get a compression check. The car other wise performs normally. Lot's of good acceleration especially in 3rd gear. I would be surprised if there was a compression issue. I feel comfident it is not leaking as my friend and I looked her over real well looking for leaks. Thanks for the input.

Dan

 

I bet your leaking it from the oil pressure sensor, it's common. It only leaks while your engine is running. Look around the area where your oil filter is, if it's really oily around there, then change the oil pressure sensor. If you were burning a quart every 500 miles you'd see it in the exhaust.

 

1 qt every 500 is alot for the OPS. It is either consuming it internally or you should have a leak that is easily spotted on the outside. Check the bottom of the bellhousing to motor--a rear main seal leak will show some motor oil from there.

Also, make sure you are reading the dipstick correctly (often hard to read)--I don't even think from Full to Low is a full qt. Excess oil you may be adding will be dumping into the intake tract...