Oil consumption after switching to PP

[2000RX300]

It looks like I need some expert advice again. I have a 2000 Lexus RX300 with about 110K miles on it. It thought that I was going to be getting a job where I would be driving 600 miles a week. To stretch out the OCI, I decided to switch to PP. Prior to that, I had always used conventional Valvoline 5W30. I also never had to add any oil between the 3K OCI and the oil looked relatively clean when it was changed. I know that I had the oil at the FULL mark after changing it. I checked it the next week after driving it around town and it was also on FULL. I checked it today with the oil warm and after the SUV was sitting in the garage for 20 minutes. I only have 500 miles on this oil and it was 1/3 quart below the FULL mark. I checked it again 30 minutes later and I got the same reading. It took the remainder of the original 5 liter jug to top it back off. There isn’t any oil on the ground where I always park and I do not see any wet oil on the oil pan or anyplace under it. It’s a cool rainy day today and when I started it this morning, instead of a normal moist exhaust it looked like my lawn mower when it’s burning oil. That white/blue smoke only lasted a couple of minutes but it was long enough to notice.

I’m currently unemployed so I’m not looking for an expensive solution. I had the spark plugs changed over the summer so I don’t want to foul them. I was thinking about draining the PP and switching to a extended life oil for high mileage vehicles. What would you folks do? I’m assuming that the valve seals are starting to leak when I switched to PP (?). Thanks in advance. Bob

 

[hypervish]

I also have a 2000 RX300, i suggest trying Castrol Syntec 0w30 (european formula) it's a stellar oil, and perfect for our suv. I'm using this oil right now without any consumption.

The engine might consume some oil on the first OCI of a new oil, so next time you use PP it may stop using oil.

 

[M1Accord]

The same exact thing happened to my Honda after trying Castrol GTX Sludge Protection 5W20. The car now consumes oil. Castrol is junk in my opinion.

 

[mrsilv04]

I've had engines that didn't consume any oil, to start consuming oil after switching brands.

After the second change, the consumption fades.

This happened with the last two engines that I've changed brands on.

 

[JOD]

I just posted this in another thread, but I'll just retype it rather than dig up the post.

At 60K miles I switched from MC5W20 to PP5W20. My car didn't consume noticeable amounts. I did a really short OCI (unrelated reasons) then did 6K on PP. I lost nearly a full quart.

The second OCI was nearly 8K, no noticeable consumption. 5K into the next run, I'm still 1-2mm over the "full" on the dipstick, just like when I changed it.

Lots of others have noted an increase in consumption when switching oils, be it brands or oil types. I wrote it off as a wive's tale since I didn't (don't) understand why this happens, but mine isn't an isolated case.

I'd suggest topping up the oil, then just keep a regular check on it's level. I'd give it 2 more runs, and if it's still consuming oil then I'd switch brands.

 

[sangyup81]

I'll add to the people who are saying this is just because you're on your first run. Not sure why it does this but when switching to synthetic you get some consumption the first time around and then it goes away.

 

[gomes512]

Happened to our corolla as well. First ever oci with PP and it consumed a 1/2 quart every 1K.

I too would see the smoke on initial startup and assumed that the valve stem seals were bad. I thought that PP cleaned out the garbage around them and allowed the leak.

Into 2nd fill with PP, no change in dipstick level after 1.2K.

Strange.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: hypervish

The engine might consume some oil on the first OCI of a new oil, so next time you use PP it may stop using oil.


I think there are engineering-based reasons to think that an engine can burn a bit of one type of oil but not another (eg his engine didn't bur Valvoline conventional, but sips a little bit of PP). However, I have never seen any engineering-based argument that convinces me that an engine will burn oil on the first OCI of a new oil and then somehow adapt to the new oil and stop burning it after a period of time. If it burns PP now, it will always burn PP IMO.

 

[sangyup81]

Perhaps it's an interaction with the old oil that's left behind or maybe something happens to existing sludge to cause it to take up less space. Who knows what goes out of the PCV?

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum

I think there are engineering-based reasons to think that an engine can burn a bit of one type of oil but not another (eg his engine didn't bur Valvoline conventional, but sips a little bit of PP). However, I have never seen any engineering-based argument that convinces me that an engine will burn oil on the first OCI of a new oil and then somehow adapt to the new oil and stop burning it after a period of time.


I haven't either, which is why I didn't really believe it and am pretty puzzled by the whole concept.

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
If it burns PP now, it will always burn PP IMO.


That hasn't been my experience, and that of others. But, there's only one way for the OP to know for sure.

 

[hypervish]

I haven't seen any scientific information on that, but in my experience and in others it has stopped burning the oil, that is if the engine was in good condition which most were.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: sangyup81
Perhaps it's an interaction with the old oil that's left behind or maybe something happens to existing sludge to cause it to take up less space. Who knows what goes out of the PCV?


In my case, neither of those could have likely factored into the equation. I had just done a short (1,500 mi) OCI on PP and dumped it, along with a new PCV valve/hose, then did a full run. It consumed the oil on the first full run, most of it after it was 3K miles into the run.

 

[gomes512]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
However, I have never seen any engineering-based argument that convinces me that an engine will burn oil on the first OCI of a new oil and then somehow adapt to the new oil and stop burning it after a period of time. If it burns PP now, it will always burn PP IMO.




Yep here I was ready to take the time to put in new valve stem seals. So far consumption is gone, I do not have an explanation for it.

 

[mechtech2]

Time will tell.
Top her up, and keep careful measurements in the future.

I'd let it go for a full OCI.
Big deal if you have to add some oil. . You get a bit of fresh oil in the system, and spend a few $ more.

BTW, there is always the possibility of an incidental problem [or more]. Coincidence does happen.

 

[2000RX300]

I remember seeing advertisements for the “High Mileage Vehicle” motor oils that talked about conditioning the seals to stop or prevent leaks. If I was using one of those oils, I could see oil consumption slowing after extended use especially after putting in fresh oil. Since my consumption started after switching to PP, I’m thinking that it must be leaking through the valve stem seals (it makes smoke after sitting overnight). Unless PP has something in it to condition the seals (does it?), I can’t see how the consumption would stop after 1 or 2 OCI. I could see it getting worst if PP cleans out more sludge though.)

 

[hypervish]

These engine's are known to sludge...have you ever pulled of your valve covers to check for sludge? If you have sludge, then sometimes on a cold start blueish smoke will come out from the exhaust or like you said it could just be valve stems but usually Toyota's last a while before having to change the valve stem seals'.

 

[Brons2]

If you want to try something else next time, Mobil1 High Mileage is highly regarded around here.

However, I wouldn't dump the PP, just run it out to the end of the OCI.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Honestly, my boat with a 305ci chevy engine is the only thing I own that does not use oil. Every lawnmower, tractor, car, etc will use a little.

When going to a syn, for some odd reason all of mine began to burn more than a dino. Going back to a dino solved it. No reason to dutch the PP though as it brings steller UOA's on here.

 

[FZ1]

Just run the PP to your planned oci. Just buy another quart and top up as necessary. No need to search for another oil,just go back to the Valvoline you previously used,if you want. Good luck with it.

 

[JHZR2]

I would not be concerned at all.

Some years back lots of MB diesel users switched to Mobil 1. Many experienced consumption. This consumptoion took even up to 10-20k in some cases to cease, but then it did!

There are things going on in there. I wouldnt be concerned unless it starts to become severe.