Thread: 3.9 V8 oil consumption

I only need to top up about 2 liters over 10,000kms between services and i have 205 000 on the clock and the engine still pulls like a train and gets about 480 kms in the city and 730 on the freeway . so pretty happy.

yep .5l /1000K is high...

.5l per 10,000k Id live with if there were no external leaks...

drain your bellhousing first make sure its not the rear main.

at.5l to the thousand its going to make fault finding difficult but carefull observation will let you track it down.

if all the compression comes up ok on a cold dry compression test my bet is that its the inlet valve stem seals.

Thanks Willvine and Dave,

Looks like I have a problem.
I'll follow up as you suggest Dave.

Should I move to a heavier grade of oil?

Cheers
Rodney

urmmmm that depends on what youve got in it atm.

some wyns stop smoke Might get you temporarily out of trouble but long term causes more hassles than its worth.

Thanks Dave,

Not too keen on additives - rather fix it properly. I'm using Penrite HPR10 - thought maybe using HPR30 may slow oil loss down.

Cheers
Rodney

it might...but only short term....

you might have some luck getting someone close to you to come over and help identify the problem...

If you know how and can do a compression check start there and check the plugs while your at it...

It might also pay to remove the top of the plenum chamber and see how much is being sucked in through the crank case ventilation system.

Originally Posted by jrh1946

. I'm using Penrite HPR10 -

What viscosity (grade) is that?

I use Castrol Magnatec (15w40) and I don't know how much it uses but after 10000kms it still measures up around the high mark on the dipstick.
Mine is a 1994 with 187K on it.

This is after changing the gaskets on the sump, tappet covers and intake manifold and valley cover rubbers. It was a different story before that. It still leaks though. I'm guessing timing cover gasket.