Oil Consumption

Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

Hi all. I recently posted a problem I am having on a cadillac owners forum. If anyone here on this forum has anything to add, I'd appreciated it.

you can read the post here:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27132
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Xal · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:04 am Post subject:

What colour is your exhaust? if it is quite dark and has some residue in it you may find you need new rings. When was the last time you serviced it? (new oil filter..... etc) You might find that taking it on an extended run where you can cruse at arround 80-90mph may help burn off any carbon buildup in your cylinders and may also help your oil consumption.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

What grade of oil does the engine call for?

How many miles on this oil change?

What brand of oil filter do you use?
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

ask about the "oil pressure sending unit"

im not sure newer gm has that......but its something to look into
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JayDubya · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:10 pm Post subject:

Doh, i said this in another thread, but check the pvc valve - maybe replace it. Seems Bob and a few techies at work think that might be the problem.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

JW, I replaced the PCV a few months back to no avail. The problem was existant then, also, but seemingly less severe.

2old2care · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 3:09 pm Post subject:

I see the problem...it's missing two cylinders.

Seriously...have you had the compression checked...It's obviously going somewhere. Have you noticed a change in gas miles?
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

honestly, my mileage has been very consistant. As far as the compression goes, no. I haven't had that checked, but It would be a big, expensive pain in the ass to get checked for sure. I would have probably noticed some loss of power if I was down compression, but thus far there has been none.

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

I would go to a 5w40 oil next time.

Also, open you rad cap and look for brown sludge in your radiator.

If there is sludge, you have a intake gasket leak and the oil is going into the cooling system.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

I am a bit leary of changing the oil weight. I, none-the-less have looked into the coolant reserve and it is as pink as pink can be (dexcool). All seems well in that department.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

First off, don't question my advice, I am an avid auto enthusiest and only will tell you what you need to do. Not being mean, but if you are not going to take the advice given, then don't ask the question.

5w40 will be thicker when up to operating temperature and will not burn off or blow by the rings. It will increase cylinder compression in your case. Trust me on this.

Also, I didn't ask you to look into the coolant resevoir, I wanted you to take the rad cap off and look in the rad.
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sandness · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:25 pm Post subject:

Nate, I believe the radiator cap is on the reservoir in his car (its pressurized if I recall.) But other than that, I agree with heavier oil. What's the worst thing that could happen? Gonna lose the new stuff too?

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

sandness · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:

To clear this up, I was stating that his Intrigue only has a pressure cap on the reservoir. There is not one on the radiator itself. Therefore, he checked the only thing he could- short of purging the system through the lower radiator hose and examining the coolant.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Unless things have changed in the last five minutes, all pressurized GM cooling systems all have a rad cap rated at 15psi.
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sandness · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:01 pm Post subject:

Hmm, now you've got me wondering. Is this radiator cap hidden? l know for a fact that it's not out in the open. Same goes for an old Corsica that I had driven. I believe Grand Prix 3.8l are the same way. Could you possibly inform us as to where the cap is?

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Hold on, I think I am wrong. My bad.

But still, this hasn't anything to do with his oil consumption though.
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sandness · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject:

Well, it might. You'd probably know better than I would- if his head gasket was leaking and there was oil in his coolant, would it be stuck on the bottom or floating on the top of the coolant? If it floats, then there should be some present in the reservoir too I would think.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

turns into brownish orange goo.

Also, check the oil for coolant.

With no blue smoke out the tailpipe, he isn't burning it.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

JayDubya · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 12:37 am Post subject:

Silicon Skum · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:53 am Post subject:

It is possible to still be burning oil and not have any blue smoke. My old cooper burns a little, no blue smoke (BUT there is a faint smell of burnt oil and a sooty exhaust pipe). The oil goes fairly slowly, even with the minor leak on the gear selector seal ( engine and gear box are one unit) but I do have to check every couple of weeks to keep it toped up. My guess is that it *might* NOT be the rings, but could be worn valve stem / stem guides. This is the problem I have.

With the engine running, open the oil filler cap and place your hand over the opening. See if there is any back-pressure, if not then your rings / bores should be ok and there are no huge faults in the block. If you feel any back -pressure (you should feel a slight vacuum only sucking on your hand, anything else is a sign of problems) then take your car straight to a mechanic and get it checked over.

I would follow Nate's adice and use the 5W40 oil, it will help seal things up. Don't worry about the time of year / temperature thing, thats not all that important for engine health, more to do with fuel econ. a slightly higher grade will not make that much difference at all. I run 20w50 in my Cooper all year round. You will not break anything with a slightly higher viscosity oil.

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

That amount of oil going missing with no burning makes me think the intake gasket has gone.

I would pull the upper rad hose with the engine dead cold and look for mud and sludge coming out of the rad.

Also, you don't use 20w50 in small engines, very poor thinking and is starving your engine for oil at startup. This is not speculation, this is fact.

Lower the grade to 5w40 for better fuel economy and proper protection. The Cooper's oil pump is not meant to pump that thick of oil.
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2old2care · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:10 am Post subject:

Do not use a 20W50 in most modern cars with hydrolic (self adjusting) tappets. 5W40 would be the way to go.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

SS, it seems that some amount of 'soot' at the tail pipe is inevitable. I do have this present in the olds as well. If y'all look to the forum link I posted above, some of the caddy guys seem not to be to worried at all

[quote "RANGER from cadillacforums.com"] Apparently keeping the level at MAX will allow the crankshaft counter weights to mist the oil and suck it into the PCV and burn it til the level gets down again.
[/quote]

Nate...if there was sludge coming out of the upper radiator hose, I should also notice that same substance in my pressure-tank, no?
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