Oil Consumption

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rltrbill

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Just bought a 1994 3.0 with 125,000 miles. The heads were all redone in December, new plug wires etc. I have used a quart of oil in 400 miles. There is no oil smoke at the exhuast, just carbon build-up. There are no oil leaks on the garage floor. Where is the oil going. I guess there is no PCV valve.
 

HopefulSHO

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Probably is getting burned. Could be leaking by the rings or valve guide seals.
When I bought my '94 MTX w/ 132k..it went through a quart of Mobil 1 every 400 miles like you. I switched to Castrol GTX and consumption dropped to a quart every 700-800.

What oil are you using?
 

E.Buzz

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Definitley the plug well seals. My SHO has the same problem, same engine. I believe the plug well seals come in the autozone kit? If not, I'm screwed, because they're 21.99 a pop from motorcraft. :ruhroh:
 

HopefulSHO

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Plug well seals do come in the FelPro valve cover gasket kit..but they won't solve an oil consumption problem.
Unless your oil is spilling out of the plug wells & valve covers.
 

Dr. Tweak

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Yeah, you shouldn't actually be LOSING oil out the wells.... that really just causes misfire problems...
 

Val

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Just pull out the plug connector and see if there's any oil in the plug wells. I have a minor oil leak from the rear valvecover gasket, but it still consumes about a quart every 3000-3500 miles with 103,000 miles on engine.
 

shobikes

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The thing about oil leaks is that many times, the oil only leaks while under pressure or circulating, not while sitting in the driveway.

I was "burning" 1 qt every 1000 miles. I just assumed it was burning, b/c I had the same symptoms as you - oil loss, no drips, seemed to use it faster if I dogged it.

Then I did my rod bearings. In replacing the rod bearings, it got new pan gaskets, oil level sender, and much TLC upon reassembly - cleaning, proper torque, etc. I found, too, that the oil level sender had come somewhat loose - it wasn't backing out, but I could've unscrewed it by hand.

My oil consumption is now negligible - I did a 1200 mile road trip and didn't burn a drop! At 125k, you might as well do the rod bearings anyway, and **** all those birds...
 

SHOZ123

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More than likely it is worn valve seals and clogged oil control rings.

I would do a two bottle Auto-RX treatment to clean the rings and guides then swith to Castrol Hi Milage GTX 10w30. This will give you back compression and reduce the oil usage to very low levels.
 

shobikes

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E.Buzz said:
all right, cool. I'll have to try that. about how much do the rod bearings run for?

Should be able to get rod bearings for under $50/set, and you'll need a tube of O2 sensor-safe RTV, and the Fel-Pro gasket set (TCS47185??) for "lower timing cover" - it includes front main, front pan seal and oil pickup gasket. The rear pan seal comes in a different gasket set (maybe rear main seal?). You should be able to get all the parts for under $100.

As a rule, I don't like Auto-Rx and stuff like that, but I did switch from 5w-30 to 10w-30, so I have a little better cold viscosity.
 

E.Buzz

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it says in your sig that you're looking for a second gen. got $600? car has minor dents, but it's clean otherwise. guy just got the engine redone.Interested? PM me.
 

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