man8959

i dont know if this is normal but i've been changing my oil two times already and it's only drained 5.2 quarts.but i filled it up 6.5 quarts. where is the rest goes? my car is only has 15k miles on it. and i changed the oil when the engine is at normal temp. should i bring it to the dealer? any suggestions. thank you

man8959

does anybody car burn oil that much. 1.5 quarts oil burned in 5k miles, i think that's a little too much for a lexus at 15k miles.

V8_Fan

Something doesn't sound right. My LX is at 59K mi and doesn't burn anything, and I run 7.5K changing intervals with synthetic using OEM filters. Sure you don't have a leak somewhere, like a weeping gasket on the oil filter? I remember when Toyota used to do the oil changes on my old 4runner. Everytime I got it back, it would drip oil for a few days. When I change the oil/filter myself, it never does that. I figure the tech didn't tighten the filter enough (probably just hand-tightened it; you gotta use the wrench just a tiny bit to get it tight). For reasons like this, I really don't trust the dealer working on my car, and when they do, I specifically tell them what to do and have the SM note it on the service sheet.

SilverLady

Did you check the dipstick to see if the oil was low before you changed the oil? 1.3 quarts should show up low.

If you are changing the oil filter it will have some oil in it, too.

man8959

no i didn't but i will next time. i will keep checking the dipstick every once in a while to see if its lower.
t

man8959

can you guys tell me how many quarts of oil does it drained out in your truck?

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

Just need to check it during the interval to see if it's losing some oil. 1.3 quarts in 5K miles isn't necessarily anything to worry about. It might be a little more than normal, but nothing to necessarily be alarmed at.

Also, you should be able to get the filter plenty tight by hand if you can get a grip on it. Don't overtighten it or you might squeeze the gasket out.

The dripping oil that showed up for a few days after a dealer oil change was most likely due to oil spilling on the frame, undertray, or other component during the draining/filling procedure, and then dripping off for a few days. It's common if the technician doesn't clean things up afterwards.

Bob GX

Here is another thing to consider when draining oil, and checking to see how much came out. The oil filter absorbs and retains a surprising amount of oil. Even if you empty out the old filter, you will never get back as much as you put in, because some of it is held by the filter element.

If you want an idea of how much, try filling your new oil filter before installing it on the engine. Fill it up and give it a few moments - you'll see the level appear to go down as the oil is absorbed into the filter element. Repeat this filling and waiting, until the filter won't hold any more, then empty the filter into a measuring cup. That will give you a good indication of how much is still held in the filter, and will account for a portion of your 'missing oil'.

Some mechanics pre-fill filters like this, and some do not. I choose to pre fill so I don't have those few seconds of waiting for the engine oil pump to fill the filter when starting after a change. Probably not a big deal, just part of why I do my own changes. Even on engines like ours, where the filter is mounted kind of horizontal, I fill the filter until its satured, pour out what wants to come out quickly (so I don't make a mess with it running out when I install it), then install the filter with little or no mess.

Just a suggestion.

<VENOM>

what does the oil level on the dip stick read, is it within normal range, high or low, I swithced to synthetic at 10k on my 4.7L and burned about half a quart by 15k after that never burned a drop from what I can tell, are you using synthetic

Dr.Zeus

Something isnt adding up. Especially with 15k miles.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

How are you measuring the oil coming out?