Oil type and Consumption

[WaltM]

All:

I'm burning 1 to 1 1/3 quarts per 1000 miles. Is this considered normal consumption?

I'm also running a Mobile high mileage synth blend that's been discontinued. Can anyone recommend an oil that's suited for everyday and "spirited" driving?

Thanks

Walt

[kiwi]

Walt......

if you are really 'burning' it........rings/valve stem seals/somethin'.....synthetic I believe will penetrate/leak into 'smaller' crevices......

[WaltM]

Re: Walt......

Originally posted by kiwi
synthetic I believe will penetrate/leak into 'smaller' crevices......

There's nothing on the driveway and no big smoke, but the motor looks "damp" w/oil in certain spots. Maybe it's "blowing" it out? It's tough to tell w/an uneducated eye. I used a half synth when I changed the oil last summer, but have topped it with an organic since.

Any ideas?

[kiwi]

Walt.....

I don't think you are supposed to mix oils like that.......also a good pressure washing of your motor/brake clean as neccessary to 'see' good.....the oil on your wiring will degrade the insulation.......

[SVOBart]

If it has never been swapped out, the cork valve cover gaskets are notorious for leaking on these engines. Also check out the grommet on the breather filter and the oil cap itself. Both are prone to leaking a fair amount of oil.

[Majestic]

Also, check your vam hose to make sure you're not getting pooling there. That would probably be due to a bad pcv valve. I will second not mixing synthetic with dino oil.

Chris

[WaltM]

I've already replaced the PCV with the correct Ford unit and replaced the turbo with a rebuilt unit by Holley (there was zero boost a ton of oil in the hose). The main oil buildup is on the timing gear cover (?!) and LOTS around the injectors, with some minor gunk around the base of the manifold.

Although there's no smoke and very little odor, the more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to believe that it's a valve seal problem, with leaky gaskets and oily remnants from the old turbo with bad bearings causing the visuals. Although the engine compartment isn't pretty it's not getting that much of an oily mess to indicate that gaskets are the main problem.

Since I only ran a half-synth, I'm not too concerned with topping off with fossil. After all, aren't synth and fossil supposed to be compatable? At this point, the motor has less than 25% synth in it anyway.

I guess my next step is to take it to an engine guy. My brother recommended a shop that would perform an "evaluation" and advise me on what course to take.

A good steam cleaning wouldn't hurt either.