OK, 3.3l V6 in 97 Dodge Caravan. Started using some oil, about 1q, every 3k, at about 70k miles. Hard miles, similar to taxi cab. Has some leaks and smudges, but no puddles on the floor. Passes inspection.
I tried M1 5w30 EP -- oil use was the same and a faint rattle at idle (local mech thinks the rattle is timing chain) was worse with the M1.
So, I decided a thicker oil was the ticket. Tried Castrol syntec 10w40. No oil use so far over 2500 miles. But, the engine seems slugish until its good and HOT, and the fuel economy has taken a hit. Rattle at idle didn't change at all.
So I am thinking, probably some seals, perhaps the valve seals, leaking internally causeing the oil consumption. So the thicker 10w40 helped.
But I'd like to get back the mileage and performance.
What "high mileage" 10w30 oil, synth preferred, are we likeing these days? Something leaning towads the "thick side" and that will swell my seals. 5k OCI, and please don't tell me to do a UOA. Given the aforementioned scenario, of course.
Thanks......
I tried M1 5w30 EP -- oil use was the same and a faint rattle at idle (local mech thinks the rattle is timing chain) was worse with the M1.
So, I decided a thicker oil was the ticket. Tried Castrol syntec 10w40. No oil use so far over 2500 miles. But, the engine seems slugish until its good and HOT, and the fuel economy has taken a hit. Rattle at idle didn't change at all.
So I am thinking, probably some seals, perhaps the valve seals, leaking internally causeing the oil consumption. So the thicker 10w40 helped.
But I'd like to get back the mileage and performance.
What "high mileage" 10w30 oil, synth preferred, are we likeing these days? Something leaning towads the "thick side" and that will swell my seals. 5k OCI, and please don't tell me to do a UOA. Given the aforementioned scenario, of course.
Thanks......