Starting to use a little oil @140k

[lomez]

2003 4Runner V6 w/140,000 miles-
I've pretty much always used a "synthetic" oil (usually M1, but also mixed in some Castrol Edge and Pennz Platinum)....and always the proper weight classification. My usual oci is around 5-7K (overkill almost certainly, though I haven't sent off to a lab yet). For the past little while, after 1,500 - 2,500 miles, I notice that the oil is down a bit on the dipstick. I end up adding maybe 8-12 ounces of oil to top it back off to the top mark on the stick. Wish I kept better track of exactly when I've added, but like I say, I never really gave it much thought.

I don't really recall oil missing before 100k miles, but also never paid much attention. Wonder if it may have a little to do with the thin (5W30) synthetic being able to flow where a slightly thicker oil may not? Not a big deal, just wondering who else might notice a quart missing after 7,000 miles or so?

note- there are ZERO leaks from this engine, not a drop.

 

[ARB1977]

I wouldn't worry about it. Even if it got down to the add mark depending if your close to an oil change, I would just change it. If your adding a qrt every 1000 miles then I would investigate.

Does yours have the 3.4L? I forgot what year in the 4runner they came out with the 4.0L? My 3.4L has been solid and doesn't use a drop.

 

[lomez]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
I wouldn't worry about it. Even if it got down to the add mark depending if your close to an oil change, I would just change it. If your adding a qrt every 1000 miles then I would investigate.

Does yours have the 3.4L? I forgot what year in the 4runner they came out with the 4.0L? My 3.4L has been solid and doesn't use a drop.


4.0 V6.
I used to have a '97 with the 3.4. What a GREAT truck...but not the best MPG. If this one ever dies (I want 300,000 out of it minimum), I'll probably buy another one! 4Runners are about as solid as you get.

 

[HerrStig]

Check your PCV valve.

 

[oggb]

That's probably just par for the course. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Check your PCV if it's easy to get to.

 

[hattaresguy]

Its an old motor they can use some oil as they age. Keep it topped off, and don't worry about it until its really burning oil!

Oil burning doesn't count unless its over a quart every 1k miles.

 

[michaelluscher]

That figure while maybe true by chryco's words.
Many of us find that unacceptable, my Camry loses 1/2 a qt between 8month 5k OCI's and I am trying to find the cause.
1qt every 1 will definatley start fouling plugs, poisoning o2 sensors and plugging cats.

Back to topic, +1 on the PCV valve.

 

[KitaCam]

I have read here NOT TO TOP OFF oil level until it's at least 1/2-way (1/2-3/4 quart) below the "F" line...

...any loss between 5k OCIs less than a quart is too little to lose any sleep over...

 

[andyd]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
That figure while maybe true by chryco's words.
Many of us find that unacceptable, my Camry loses 1/2 a qt between 8month 5k OCI's and I am trying to find the cause.
1qt every 1 will definatley start fouling plugs, poisoning o2 sensors and plugging cats.

Back to topic, +1 on the PCV valve.
A 1/2 qt in 5k/8 months is fine. I very doubt it will clog the cat at that rate. If the engine is fouling plugs due to this rate of consumption, I would suspect ignition trouble or maybe the CTS. 500 miles a qt is the bottom line for most engines. Even at that rate, there wont be a visible exhaust

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
That figure while maybe true by chryco's words.
Many of us find that unacceptable, my Camry loses 1/2 a qt between 8 month 5k OCI's and I am trying to find the cause.
1qt every 1k will definitely start fouling plugs, poisoning o2 sensors and plugging cats.

Back to topic, +1 on the PCV valve.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
That figure while maybe true by chryco's words.
Many of us find that unacceptable, my Camry loses 1/2 a qt between 8month 5k OCI's and I am trying to find the cause.
1qt every 1 will definatley start fouling plugs, poisoning o2 sensors and plugging cats.

Back to topic, +1 on the PCV valve.


Why is 1/2 a quart over 5K miles/8 months unacceptable? The cause is probably normal wear & tear, normal consumption for the engine, and nothing that is worth worrying about, same for the OP's 4Runner. Obviously Toyotas can burn a little like everything else since both you and the OP are experiencing it. Doesn't mean it's something you have to track down and fix, it's something you monitor and if it's within reason, ignore.

No smoking + predictable oil use + no leaks = no real problem.

 

[hattaresguy]

Again old motors can use a bit of oil, its not a problem.

The best fix for it is to buy a new motor or car, or just ignore it and drive it for another 200k.

If you find 1/2 a quart used in 5k miles to be unacceptable, well I don't know why but whatever. Pull the head and send it out. How does the bottom end look? If you want to blow some money on a none problem...well at least you can have some fun doing it!

Might as well pull the motor and clean it up like new and reseal it while your at it. Sure its all from consumption? Can't beleive an old car doesn't have at least a couple of wet joints somewhere...

 

[HerrStig]

Synthetic oil burns cleaner ( I am told) so the converter will tolerate a higher consumption than that of dino, unless the dino is a straight weight with little or no additive. It's one of the advantages of using synthetic 2 cycle oil.

 

[michaelluscher]

Ok I worded that really wrong.
Not really unacceptable, but bothersome.
As in, I would start really looking for leaks, replace/clean PCV valve.
It just bothers me that my 6 year old toyota engine burns any oil,
Where as the 12 yr old nissan engine and 7 yr ford engine burn absolutely 0.
I would not be so crazy as to disassemble that engine over this.
Very few people have the kind of money and resource's to be that anal.

 

[REDDOG]

If the consumption is a fairly new issue I would do as others have suggested and check the PCV first. Has the PCV ever been replaced?

 

[michaelluscher]

It has not, I will be getting a replacment.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: KitaCam
I have read here NOT TO TOP OFF oil level until it's at least 1/2-way (1/2-3/4 quart) below the "F" line...

...any loss between 5k OCIs less than a quart is too little to lose any sleep over...


^^^^THIS^^^^

I won't add till it's a qt low... Assuming the sump holds more than three quarts, even two low is safe on most engines...
Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
That figure while maybe true by chryco's words.
Many of us find that unacceptable, my Camry loses 1/2 a qt between 8month 5k OCI's and I am trying to find the cause.
1qt every 1 will definatley start fouling plugs, poisoning o2 sensors and plugging cats.

Back to topic, +1 on the PCV valve.

I've run burners that were swilling a quart in 600-800mi and never fouled a catalytic converter or a o2 sensor... The MFGRs will tell you a qt in 1K is OK, if there was a chance the converter or o2 sensors would foul, they wouldn't be allowed to tell you that...