Burning oil in a 4.0L with 80k?

I just recently took my truck out of the garage after being parked for a week and when I started it I noticed a ticking in the engine. I originally thought it was the normal initial start up ticking that most 4.0L's have until my normally oblivious girlfriend noticed it and asked what it was. I pulled the dipstick and my oil wasn't even registering with the engine shut off. With it running, it reads at the low marker.

There are absolutely no leaks. I also do not beat on this truck at all. I changed the oil maybe 3-4k ago, it's due but it seems abnormally low. I always do my own work to this truck and I am very picky. I do not see any smoke on start up or driving at all. The truck also only has 84k on it.

Any ideas? I'm a little worried.

 

Did whoever did the oil change actually fill it all the way, did you check it yourself? Are you seeing smoke out of the exhaust?

 

This: if it's not in the engine and you know it was previously it had to go somewhere. So it's either burning off (smoke) or it's pouring out (oil stains.)

Do you see either? Have you ever changed it yourself?

 

Be aware that it's not unheard of for a Tacoma to puff some blue on startup once in a while. My '06 did it when it had probably 50k on it and on rare occasion for the next 120,000 and never burnt any oil or got low on the stick.

You do need to investigate though, no oil on the stick is usually about 2 quarts low. That's not good if you only hold about 5.

 

I always do my own work to my truck and I know I put the correct amount of oil in it. I never see any smoke out of it at all.

The reason I posted on here is because I find it super odd that my truck is down two quarts on oil. Like I said, I do all my work on it and I am very anal about it. The drain plug and filter are dry as can be. The only thing I can think of is its just burning oil. I just wasn't sure if I was missing some sort of common issue because the truck only has 84,000 miles on it.

Thanks for the quick replies. I will pop the drain plug tomorrow and hopefully there isn't any metallic in there or I will probably my eyes out.. haha!

 

What oil are you using?

 

My '14 burns oil too, roughly a quart every 4000 miles. Only 35,000 miles on the clock. I change my oil myself and I really try to baby this truck.

I have seen posts mentioning the PCV, it may be something to look into.

 

I use Castrol Synthetic 5w30.

 

I would change oil and filter, and when you park it put cardboard under the engine. The oil has to be either burned or leaked, good luck let us know how you made out...............

 

Kinda strange, usually the oil level is lower when running. When shut off, all the oil flows back into the pan, so it usually reads higher.

Any leaks further back, near the bell housing?

 

Try convention oil for the next oil change and see if that makes a difference. I have a 2010 Nissan Murano with 50k that I tried to use synthetic oil and it would use a quart between oil changes. Went backed to the blended oil and no more oil usage.