Yep, think she’s burning oil

Only have done two oil changes so far on my 2013 4.0. It has 63k miles on it. Both changes have shown about 1/2 quart low on dip stick, and only 4.5 quarts come out..First one was probably 5000k and second one only 3k. Bit of soot on the tailpipe. Grr.

Edit: The 5k mile oil change was probably more like 1+ quart burned as I added some mid interval. On this most recent change (today), 5.5 filled it perfectly. Pretty sure I’m losing a quart every 3k.

 

Go by the dipstick readings. A fair amount of oil remains in the engine after a drain and the filter holds about half a quart. Check it frequently and let the level go down all the way to the full quart (add) mark, add a quart and check it and note the mileage. (Resist topping it off when it's less than a full-quart low.) Let it sit all night it in a level spot and pull the stick when it's cold before you start it. A half quart down is reasonable for a 5,000 mile interval. (IMO) I have soot in my tailpipe too. My engine does not use oil between changes.

 

That’s not terrible but not common for the 4.0

Regardless it’s not a bad idea to clean the pcv to reduce the blow by issues that come with burning oil.

https://youtu.be/fQ1jJlZw3pM

 

Ok will do. Thanks. So you recommend getting the reading on a completely cold engine?

If some was/is held within the engine, then it should show high in the morning, since I just added 5.5 quarts. I changed oil, ran for 1-2 minutes, let it sit for 5ish minutes then checked it, looked perfectly full.

 

Ah yeah thanks for the input, I have cleaned the PCV recently actually. It rattled a bit but seemed a bit sticky.

 

Its burning a normal amount

 

Curious, a nasty blow by on the V6 will show while running through the oil fill neck. Cap off (audible and combustion pulses)

Normal you won't hear or feel blowby from the neck.

Can you check it for giggles? I've never seen a 1GR burn oil.

 

Hmm yeah totally, thanks. So feel, listen and look right down the neck? Or is a dowel necessary?

 

Just take cap off while running and if its bad you'll hear a PRRRRRRRRRRRR

This test is basically invalid on modern cars, they all make the noise, but the old 4.0 never made any noise from the oil cap when running unless it had major blow by.

It's a BS test but just curious!

 

That's what I do. When I change the oil myself I add the initial 5 qts, start it and let it run for a couple of minutes so the oil filter is charged and check it. It's always between the two dots on the stick. The next time I check it is after an all-night sit in the driveway. If it's low, I add a couple/three ounces and check it later after it has sit overinight: It's always within a speck of the full dot and stays there until the next change. I don't bother with trying to hit it right on the nose of the full mark. The change/w filter and 5qts and an overnight cold-check after a long sit gives you a base-line. I hardly ever check the oil at the gas station after getting gas. I check it before I leave. Over-filling is worse than having it a little low.

 

Sometimes the levels on the stick on a Tacoma are quirky: Check it when getting gas, it's looks over-full. Check it again right after: it's worse or now showing half a quart low. That's why I check it cold after a prolonged shut down. It sets an established a base-line level of measurement reading on the stick, from an exact 5 qt oil change. Also, checking when the truck is even --slightly-- off-level makes a difference: especially when the front of the truck is a little lower then the back. Also, taking another reading immediately afterwards after wiping the stick will sometimes give a different reading either high or low! The first one is what I go by and I stopped taking a second one.

Actually: I'm assuming the difference between the two dot's on the stick is 1 quart, but the manual is vague: as I recall it says something to the effect: Top dot: "excessive"...between top and bottom dot: "normal". "Keep the oil level between the two marks.".

 

1.6 qt between dots.

 

With only 63000 miles on your truck it’s doubtful it’s burning oil. First look for and make sure you have no oil leaks, I very much doubt you do. Check also if you smell hot or burning oil around the engine compartment. Again I doubt you will. Finally look and see if you have any blue or blue/whiteish smoke coming out of your exhaust while idling and while driving. And lastly while going downhill take your foot off the gas and look to see if any blue smoke comes out the tailpipe. If no/none to all the above you aren’t burning oil.
To determine your oil consumption just check you dipstick once a week while the engine is warm and the vehicle is in the same spot and level.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated. I’ll check these few things and report back, if you’re curious. Sounds like the temperature of checking is less important than consistency and level of the vehicle (which I’m aware of but appreciate the reminder, kinda hard to find a perfectly level spot at my house). And that a little off (low on the dipstick) is ok as long as the correct amount went in and no other signs of burning persist.

 

Are you using the correct specified oil or have you determined that the engineers were wrong and selected your own grade of oil to run?

 

Oh yeah I forgot to mention I’m running carb cleaner. I AM running full synthetic, though. We opening that can of worms? Think that’s an issue?

 

When you change the oil next time add enough to get the oil to the top of the hash marks on the dipstick. DO NOT add oil until the oil level is at the bottom of the hashmarks, you will then be 1 qt low. Only add oil at this time and add a full qt. There is no reason to keep topping it off with partial quarts. The way you're doing it makes it hard to assess how much you're actually using.

You don't have to keep it FULL all the time, anywhere between those marks is fine. It is perfectly normal for the oil level to be down by the time you need to change oil. If I were 1qt low when I changed oil I'd be perfectly happy with that.

If I had to add a full quart at 2000-3000 miles I wouldn't be happy but wouldn't panic either. Manufacturers don't consider it a warranty issue until you're adding 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles.