High oil consumption, 165k 4x4

Long time lurker, first time poster.

My 2007 access cab 4x4 has 165,000 on it and it has started to use high amounts of oil. I am the original owner.

My last oil change was 2,500 miles ago and today I heard, what I thought was, valves tapping. I checked the oil and it didn't even show up on the stick . 4 quarts later and the oil level was back within specs.

My mechanic had told me to keep an eye on it because he thought it was down a quart the last time I had the oil changed but something must be really wrong.

I'm not feeling any loss of power, and after the oil was added it runs like a top again.

I looked around the garage floor and my regular parking spots with no indications of a leak. I also had the mechanic do a compete inspection for leaks but nothing was evident to him.

Any ideas? I can live with it burning some oil but 4 quarts in less than 2500 miles? Also, I had a friend follow me and he said he didn't see smoke pouring out of the tailpipe. He thought every thing looked OK.

Any thoughts would help.

Thank you

 

check air filter box for oil

 

LOOK FOR SMOKE IN THE AM AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT
ALSO CHECK YOUR PLUGS....
AND CHECK YOUR ANTI FREEZE....
I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A NISSAN FRONTIER

 

I would suggest getting an oil consumption test done with your mechanic. He should be able to determine the level and location of the oil leak pretty quickly. That severe of a loss would HAVE to be easy to find.

 

All good suggestions, thank you!

 

NISSAN TOLD ME A QUART EVERY 2500 MILES WAS OK.....
LOVED WHEN THE GUY STARTED IT UP IN THE BAY AND EVERYONE DAM NEAR HAD TO EVACUATE

 

Findings:

Air filter box, dry as a bone.
Coolant appears to be pinkish to burgundy in color. Very little excess in the overflow bottle.

 

What was the problem with the Nissan?

 

compression check

 

It seems to have plenty of power but I'll have that checked out too.

That oil has to be going some place

 

Rings or scorned cylinder
Replaced motor under warranty
Only had 40k in it
If its burning oil you will know it when it sits for some time
Then starts it
Like you one day i was done almost four quarts
Freaked out because i had a brand new driveway ran back home not a drop

 

Most car makers won't do anything under warranty if the oil consumption is less than 1 quart in 1000 miles, and many state this in their warranty. I realise you are out of warranty, just saying.

A compression test, or cylinder leakage test can be normal if the problem is only with the oil rings, or valve oil seals. However, a bad head gasket would show up. It could be the head gasket.

It takes a lot of oil before smoke will show out the exhaust of a vehicle with a functioning catalytic converter.

I think a compression, and or cylinder leakage test would be a reasonable course of action.

Since it runs okay, and no power loss, I have difficulty in thinking it's a cracked piston, or head.
Head gaskets can leak oil, and not lose enough compression to cause run problems. A look at the spark plugs to check for oil fouling would be a cheap, and easy first check.

 

It looks like a compression test is the next course of action.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice!

 

You might consider monitoring the oil level for the next 1K or 2K miles and see if you still have that radical oil usage. Even the best of shops make a mistake once in a while and don't get the proper amount of oil back in one.

 

Thanks, I will, good point

 

I'd check it once a week, like I did with my old civic, at least until you figure it out.

Between my dad and I we put 110k miles on that car and most of the time it needed a quart added every 250-600 miles. The car only held 3 1/2 so it was kinda important.

The first post kinda makes me worry. A friend of mine did that to his Corolla. It started tapping and I made him turn it off immediately. We made a call and a friend brought out some spare oil he had and it took 4 quarts; no more tapping.

Unfortunately the damage was done. It spun a main bearing the next day.