Car Burns Oil???

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I am just worrying too much about it. Like you guys said 2 or 3 qts of oil between changes is still cheap, about $8. I will just use up the last of my 5W30 on this oil change coming up with some STP and then switch over to a 10W40. I looked around today at Walmart and Napa and 5W40 is not available in my area and come to think of it I have never seen it.

Chris

 

[garc]

5W40 seems to be in the synthetic oils. Castrol, Havoiline, Quaker State, Mobil, Shell, Penzoil, etc. offer blends for high mileage engines (75K+).

 

[Diamondpilot]

I looked at these high mileage oils but they are expensive, roughly $5 per qt. I know it may save me money in the long run but I will try some STP in the next change and use up the last of my 5W30 I have on hand then switch over to 10W40 and see what it does.

Chris

 

[john_bud]

1) The person that told you to add coke (soda pop) to the engine should be kicked (HARD) right in the crotch. Helped up and kicked again. That's the most destructive thing you could do to a vehicle! If you want to get rid of carbon there are chemicals designed to safely do that and they don't cost much. Since you can't see carbon when looking in the holes you don't have an issue.

2) The amount of oil consumption is not bad. I've pulled down many an engine and the ones that burn 1qt/1000 have much much much less wear than the ones that don't burn any. I'd not worry about it - just learn to add a qt as needed.

3) If you want to add anything to loosen up the rings, add ATF. A measured 2 fl oz per cylinder with all 4 plugs out and the engine hand rotated so the 4 pistons are 1/2 way down. Wait 24 hours, spin the engine over (plugs out), and repeat. The next day spin the engine over and then replace the plugs. I would also add enough 2 cycle oil to the gas to make a 40:1 mix. Sounds goofy, but the 2 cycle oil will help lube and loosen the rings and it won't visibly smoke at that ratio. Run 2 tanks like that and if you are going to get any improvement it should be by then. I run 2 cycle oil in my '73 cougar convertible in the spring to loosen up the rings after its winter nap.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks John. I will consider giving your methods a try. You seem like a guy that has been there done that on lots of things so I take what you have to say with open ears. Like I said its just new to me to use oil I have owned 20 plus cars and trucks in the last 20 years and never had any use oil. That also goes for the tractors, lawn mowers, generators, boats, ect I have owned, probably 50 engines in all.

Chris

 

[Oldtrout]

We have a 1999 saturn SL1,bought it new and since day one that thing has used a liter of oil every 1000 km. Since I consider it a disposable auto I have used the cheapest oil I can find,and just check/add every time I fill with gas. It has 300,000 KMS on it at present and other than a cracked head at 200,000 Kms really can't complain.. Here is a site that talks about Saturns,maybe you want to check it out.

97 Saturn SL1 excessive oil consumption

I hope it works ,if not let me know I will try again.

 

[Oldtrout]

Saturn - NovaScotia

Here is lots of reading on Saturns..

 

[john_bud]

Chris,

Post back every couple tanks on this. I'm curious to learn if the ATF and 2 cycle help. Reading the links above (Thanks Trout!), it looks like the rings may be systemically sticky as one of the issues.

The "silver lining" seems to be the engines last a long time and run well while sucking down the extra lube. Used to be once they started smoking it wasn't too long until they went to drinking (high fuel consumption) and staying out late (dead on side of road).

jb

 

[Conservation]

I have unstuck boneyard engines with ATF, so I would think it would be the most effective if the rings are a problem. Thick oil or STP would be my other suggestion. My Impalla is an 00' and has 235,000 on it. It uses no oil between oil changes which are 7,000 miles apart. Seems like the transmissions are more likely to go out on the v6 chevies if you can keep intake gaskets in them.
You can also do like you are doing. Look at it as cheap transportion, and great gas mileage. Regardless of the oil consumption, those motors seem to live.

 

[Eagleview]

We have a 1999 saturn SL1,bought it new and since day one that thing has used a liter of oil every 1000 km. Since I consider it a disposable auto I have used the cheapest oil I can find,and just check/add every time I fill with gas. It has 300,000 KMS on it at present and other than a cracked head at 200,000 Kms really can't complain.. Here is a site that talks about Saturns,maybe you want to check it out.

97 Saturn SL1 excessive oil consumption

I hope it works ,if not let me know I will try again.

Thats 300 litres of oil without counting the oil changes .