oil question
06-28-11, 12:14 PM
#1
oil question
This is probably a stupid question but ill ask anyways. It seems like I have to add about a half a litre of oil to my engine about every two months or so. Is that normal or is there a problem? I used Mobil1 synthetic since day one and there are no leaks. Car has 70k on it and is pretty mint with zero engine troubles. I change the oil every 6000km (4k miles). Any insight would be appreciated.
2jZ it is.
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06-28-11, 03:59 PM
#8
I have had some oil consumption specifically with Mobil1 as well (1998 gs300, 90k miles). It is considered "normal" as long as consumption is less than 1quart/1000miles. Normal is not the same as "perfect", but corrections maybe cost-prohibitive.
I am not sure of your measurements when you say lowest hole and second hole on the dipstick. On my dipstick the volume required to bring from the 2 dots is over 1quart. So I'm not sure why your oil operating range is so much smaller or if you have a different dipstick.
Any level between the 2 dots is "normal" operating range and is acceptable.
If you want to stick with your 4000miles interval, which based on your input is just over 3months I would suspect that you don't burn a full quart over that interval.
To reduce maintenance hassle, If i were you and wanted that interval, I would just start making sure oil level is completely full, then after 4000miles, the oil level still should be within operating range, and change out the oil at that time. This would reduce the need for maintenance check, and save wasting the half-litre top-off oil that was in service for only last 1000miles.
Other suggestions:
1) You are changing oil somewhat more frequently than is required, especially with synthetic, if you are going through the trouble to top off, you might as well extend the interval. But I'm not going to open the can of worms that is oil change intervals.
2) can try a different brand other than mobil1. Try an interval with plain conventional oil since you change so frequently. Our car is not special if you did not seriously mod it. Oils have improved so even conventional oil is far superior to oils available in 1998. I personally am not going to use mobil1 anymore in my cars once I'm through with my supply, but mainly because I picked up pennzoil platinum on sale.
I am not sure of your measurements when you say lowest hole and second hole on the dipstick. On my dipstick the volume required to bring from the 2 dots is over 1quart. So I'm not sure why your oil operating range is so much smaller or if you have a different dipstick.
Any level between the 2 dots is "normal" operating range and is acceptable.
If you want to stick with your 4000miles interval, which based on your input is just over 3months I would suspect that you don't burn a full quart over that interval.
To reduce maintenance hassle, If i were you and wanted that interval, I would just start making sure oil level is completely full, then after 4000miles, the oil level still should be within operating range, and change out the oil at that time. This would reduce the need for maintenance check, and save wasting the half-litre top-off oil that was in service for only last 1000miles.
Other suggestions:
1) You are changing oil somewhat more frequently than is required, especially with synthetic, if you are going through the trouble to top off, you might as well extend the interval. But I'm not going to open the can of worms that is oil change intervals.
2) can try a different brand other than mobil1. Try an interval with plain conventional oil since you change so frequently. Our car is not special if you did not seriously mod it. Oils have improved so even conventional oil is far superior to oils available in 1998. I personally am not going to use mobil1 anymore in my cars once I'm through with my supply, but mainly because I picked up pennzoil platinum on sale.
Last edited by raytseng; 06-28-11 at 04:14 PM.
06-28-11, 04:26 PM
#10
I'm having the same issue too. 1/2 qt of Mobil1 fully synth oil every 3-4 months. Never had this issue when I used castrol before. I'm thinking of switching back and test this theory.
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