Engine Oil consumption
 

Just interested in how much oil is used up in a decent engine? Lets say 65psig for compression in each cylinder and very few leaks. I know there are lots of variables. My engine has roughly 45,000 miles on it. I use a 1/2 quart in 200 miles. Wondering if that is normal? I don't hear any unusual noises either.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

1/2 quart/200 miles?

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Maybe a little less.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Good afternoon...So you would use about one quart in 500 miles between oil changes...does not seem excessive to me. With our 31 Tudor we find that it will toss out 1/4 quart or so if we fill it to the top mark on the dip stick. If we fill it to about 1/4 inch below the top mark, it uses much less as it is not tossing it out of the rear main...other opinions/experiences will follow...

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Mine seems to use no oil in 500 miles. I change it at 500 so I don't know how far it would go.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

I would not worry about one quart used in 500 miles.

Our 29 does about the same. Compression is also 65 psi average for all four cylinders.

I run 20w-50 Walmart oil, four quarts with one 16 oz. Bottle of blue STP. That fills crank case to the full line on dip stick. We have very little dripping, but she will mark her spot.

Engine was rebuilt under 10,000 miles ago. Believe it or not, rebuilt in late 60’s. Enjoy.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Is your engine using it or losing it? Are there clouds following you as you drive? When you add oil do you stop when it reads full on the dip-stick?

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

I change about every 1000 miles. Can't see any change on the dipstick at that interval. I fill it to the full mark. Doesn't really leak though, just enough to get oily on the bottom, not enough to drip. I wouldn't get excited if yours goes through a qt at 200 miles, just watch the dipstick and don't let it run low. As long as the plugs aren't fouling or you're not leaving a trail, it won't hurt anything.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

I use no oil in between 500 mile oil changes but my engine is fairly fresh at around 6000 miles.

So to me that is not a good comparison to your engine that has 45,000 miles on it.

Only WHN has indicated how many miles on his engine.

Need to compare apples to apples on this one.

Try filling it to halfway between L and F to see if that makes any difference. No harm will come from keeping it at that level.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

At 45,000 it might be a good time to re ring,lap valves and check bearings,catch it right and you can do an overhaul without going to the machine shop,freshen her up.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

I do not see any smoke out the exhaust. I do see a small drip on the transmission plug thought. No blow-by from the filler either. I thought I read somewhere that due to the splashing of the oil on the cyl. walls some oil is lost but can't find that info again. I think the advice here on the thread is good advice. For now I will just keep an eye on things but during the winter may pull the motor and remove the head to check things out.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Drip on the transmission plug is normal if it is motor oil as the motor oil makes its way to the radius ball to lubricate it.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

I change oil at about 1,000 miles and don't need to touch it between services. The level has fallen by the time the next oil change comes around but that only means less used oil to dispose of. I'd guess it would take about a litre to get back to the full mark. Motor has done about 45,000 HARD miles (towing).
One litre is so close to one US quart that it doesn't matter.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Try this, don't put in any oil and drive another 200 miles and see if it goes down any more.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

Good advice. I'm guessing you fill it right up to full on the dipstick? My old engine didn't burn any oil and neither does the new one but if I filled them up to the full mark on the dipstick both would drip. The old one liked to be 1/4" below F. Haven't learned where the new one likes to sit but it's probably similar.


Much like the radiator, engine oil will find its own level.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

My car will toss out about a 1/2 quart if I fill to the full line. If I leave it alone afterwards
it doesn't use any more. Try burning the first 1/2 quart and then keeping an eye on it and
see if it stops or slows down.

Re: Engine Oil consumption
 

My thought also is that it could be throwing out a certain amount of oil until it finds its happy place. Some engines are kinda fussy about such things. Try running a 1/2 qt low for awhile [if your up to that mental stress] [smiley face].

If the engine is running some oil will find its way out the rear main.

If the engine is good otherwise, I'd run it and add oil.