Burning Oil

[Johnny_Eye]

I currently have a well-maintained '92 MTX with about 116,000 miles on it and no leaks at all. I've been running Mobil 1 5-20 since I got the car about a year and a half ago, and I change the oil anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles.

It seems that about every 1,000 miles (depending on how hard I run it) I see that I'm down about a quart and have to add. Is this just an "age thing" or do you suspect that 5-20 is just too thin an oil for the 3.0? I don't want to start the "what oil is best" discussion, but would appreciate some advice on whether there's a simple fix to my oil burning problem. Several have suggested a quart of Lucas Oil Additive at every oil change.

I appreciate the opinions. Thanks.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

5W-20 is way too thin of an oil to run in these cars. Run 5W-30 at least, and if you live in a warmer climate you can run 10W-30. On my '92 with 200K that like to burn oil, I found 10W-40 helped go from 1 qt every 1000 miles to 1/2 a qt every 3000.

First try running the correct weight oil to see what happens, then you can see what the loss rate is and decide what to do from there. If it's not visibly leaking, you're probably losing some at the valve stem seals. Some Lucas, Auto-RX or STP may help swell the seals a bit to help the leak.

 

[SHOtimer]

The SHO motor is made for 5w30, I would never run 20 weight in the SHO motor that is already pleagued with low oil pressure. That in and of itself would contribute to oil burning. I would bump up to at least 5w30, or 10w30 - and try the high mileage blend. Doing that will greatly improve your burning problems.

Doug

 

[CerberuS]

Look for blue smoke puff when starting engine when it sat there for a while (a day or 2)

If it is , valve stem seals is an issue to look for.

 

[DEMONICSHO]

one of my sho s did the same thing. thats way to thin for that many miles. i was using 5-30 with 121,000 miles. the oil was to thin and leaked into the plug wells, go with 10-30 and the lucas, youll see a huge difference.

 

[290]

Ive always been weary of oil additives. If its that good then companies like mobile, valvoline and so on would have it in their oil already.

 

[93rev2sev]

5W20 and only a quart low? I think my exhaust would catch on fire....

 

[AREA 91]

5W-30 is recomended. Use it.

 

[terminator]

I'm in southern cali,ive 92 sho 5speed,and have same problem.I use mobil 1 5-30 syn every 3000mile,still add one quarts motor oil every 1000 mile.can i get some help please to solve the problem?

 

[Endri_SHO]

I'm in southern cali,ive 92 sho 5speed,and have same problem.I use mobil 1 5-30 syn every 3000mile,still add one quarts motor oil every 1000 mile.can i get some help please to solve the problem?

switch to 10w- 30.. and if still the same problems, boy oh boy time to get a 3.2 and upgrade rather than spending money in that motor.. good luck

 

[yamapowered]

5W-20 is way too thin of an oil to run in these cars. Run 5W-30 at least, and if you live in a warmer climate you can run 10W-30. On my '92 with 200K that like to burn oil, I found 10W-40 helped go from 1 qt every 1000 miles to 1/2 a qt every 3000.

First try running the correct weight oil to see what happens, then you can see what the loss rate is and decide what to do from there. If it's not visibly leaking, you're probably losing some at the valve stem seals. Some Lucas, Auto-RX or STP may help swell the seals a bit to help the leak.

most vehicles use oil some more than others 5w30 works good in cooler climate and temps and 10w30 for hotter climates, I use 5w30 during cooler climate Miami? and hot and mine uses a quart every 5/6000 miles, my 91 mtx has about 138,000 miles now

 

[SHOZ123]

Get some Auto-RX. Turned my 1 quart per 800 mile '93 into a one quart every 2500 mile '93 with two treatments..... :hdance:

 

[terminator]

What's the auto-rx?

 

[yamapowered]

What's the auto-rx?

http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html

cleaning burnt motor oil from your engine can be done a few ways Auto-rx is one way to do it

 

[TYSHO]

I currently have a well-maintained '92 MTX with about 116,000 miles on it and no leaks at all. I've been running Mobil 1 5-20 since I got the car about a year and a half ago, and I change the oil anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles.

It seems that about every 1,000 miles (depending on how hard I run it) I see that I'm down about a quart and have to add. Is this just an "age thing" or do you suspect that 5-20 is just too thin an oil for the 3.0?

5W-20 is a synthetic formulated oil. I wouldn't put any sythetic in an engine that wasn't started off using synthetic after the break in, or you're only asking for oil consuption. Like others said, just put some plain jane dyno oil in there in the correct grades.

 

[SHOZ123]

.....I wouldn't put any sythetic in an engine that wasn't started off using synthetic after the break in, or you're only asking for oil consuption. Like others said, just put some plain jane dyno oil in there in the correct grades.

Total BS.

 

[TYSHO]

Total BS.

Okay, go buy a used SHO, say 159k miles, and throw in some synthetic 5w-20 and see what happens...

 

[SHOZ123]

I would not use a 5w20 oil. But would not be hesitant in the least about using a 5w30 full synthetic or partial synthetic car in any engine at any mileage no matter what oil had been used in the past.

 

[TYSHO]

I would not use a 5w20 oil. But would not be hesitant in the least about using a 5w30 full synthetic or partial synthetic car in any engine at any mileage no matter what oil had been used in the past.

I did and I lost 4 quarts in 3k miles versus dyno oil and 1 quart for 3k miles.

 

[SHOZ123]

Oh then you should try some Auto-RX