Oil burning question!

[Vesper]

So I've got a 97 that definitely burns a bit of oil, I can tell by the smell.

I checked my oil just now, and it's on the low side between the two dimples on the dip stick. If I recall correctly, when I bought the thing it was somewhere in the middle but I can't be positive.

I'd really like to have a better idea of how quickly it's burning, can I maybe just top it off and drive it a few weeks to see how quickly it goes down? Is that not advisable for any reason?

Follow up question, how should I know how much to pour in, is there a general rule of thumb on how to do this? I'd really like to know this before my next oil change because that'll be a while from now.


Thanks guys.

Oh, merry Christmas.

 

[USMC0351]

Pour in a little at a time, while checking after each time with the dipstick. Get it filled up, and check it when you get wherever you're going (obviously not a road trip lol). Just keep a close check, and you should be ok and ascertain the severity of the oil consumption. Are you sure it's not leaking anywhere?

 

[Vesper]

Pour in a little at a time, while checking after each time with the dipstick.

Ah dammit, I figured that's what I would hear, I was hoping there was a better way to estimate how much to add.

I'm 99% sure it's not leaking, it's often in a garage and I've found nothing underneath.

I realize burning oil is something that just tends to happen with older cars, but is there anything that could possibly be done about it that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[Buckaroo]

Regarding how much you need to add, the fill level between the 2 marks on the dip stick is 1 quart. So - if you are half-way between the marks, you need to add approximately 1/2 quart. You do not want to overfill but no need to get out a measuring cup.

Regarding burning oil - it could be leaking out from the valve covers onto the exhaust manifold which you can smell after you turn off the engine and it is still hot. This is common. You could also be burning oil as the engine runs. If you were burning a lot, you would see gray smoke in the exhaust.

Buckaroo

 

[Vesper]

Aha, yeah. I always notice it immediately after turning the car off. I don't get any gray smoke that I've noticed.

As far as leaking from the valve covers, is that something that is fixable?

Thanks for the help, guys. Aside from some "character" it has from being such an old vehicle, I'm loving my 4R so far.

 

[Grenvilleter]

I think all 3.4 liter have the premature valve cover gasket leak. Right at the back, near the exhaust manifold cross over pipe. Probably heat drying out the original.

Good news is, it is very easy fixed by anyone handy with wrenches and a few hours time to kill. I do not know what "book" time in hrs you would be charged if a "professional" garage was to do the job.

As long as you do not let the oil get below the bottom mark, you should be ok meaning...it's not an emergency to repair. You can wait till spring if you want to try it yourself outside.

Ignoring it completely however does have some issues such as excess oil running down on your rubber bushings in suspension components and eating them out.

 

[Grenvilleter]

You might want to make sure when you get your next oil change, they put in 5.2/5.3 quarts. They may have just threw in 5 quarts and kicked it out the door as it was in the "safe" zone.

Although my runner has leaky valve covers, there is no appreciable drop in oil from trip to trip. I might use a litre in 1500 miles but keep an eye on it until you are comfortable with it's consumption.

 

[Buckaroo]

Agree that oil usage from leaking valve covers is likely minimal if you are not seeing any oil on the ground. You could drive it that way forever occasionally checking the oil level. Had the same issue and put new gaskets on mine because the smell and greasy sludge on the engine block was annoying.

 

[Vesper]

Thanks everyone! I just topped off the oil. I'm gonna reset the trip odometer and see about how many miles I can get before I get to the lower "fill" dot on the dipstick, then decide what to do.