Oil consumption, 1 quart every 1,000 miles
- Thread starter fjdavid
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bloc
SILVER Star
I second the UOA advice.
Www.bobistheoilguy.com for more info than you could ever want on the topic.
Www.bobistheoilguy.com for more info than you could ever want on the topic.
- Thread starter
- #23
I hope you all had a nice holiday break. I drove the cruiser a lot over the break, drove about 1100 miles over the last two weeks. The highlight would be Mcway falls in Big Sur, CA, I do recommend it for anyone driving up PCH. I checked the oil level of course after 1100 miles and once again I was 1 quart low.
- Thread starter
- #24
Earlier this evening, I finally found 30 mins to work on the Cruiser. I replaced the PCV system, it was completely clogged. The new valve rattled while the old one did not. I really hope this resolves my motor oil consumption.
BTW, the Service Advisor that I regularly use told me that he highly doubts that this is what is causing my oil consumption. He's a nice guy, maybe I'll send him this link if this resolve my oil consumption mystery - How does a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system work?
BTW, the Service Advisor that I regularly use told me that he highly doubts that this is what is causing my oil consumption. He's a nice guy, maybe I'll send him this link if this resolve my oil consumption mystery - How does a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system work?
- Thread starter
- #25
That crusty stuff looks to me like the typical telltale sign of an engine that has not had sufficient regular oil changes during it's life. I would be pulling a valve cover to take a look.
Seafoam it?
Looks to me like an engine that has had a clogged PCV for a while. A clogged PCV, even with regular oil changes, creates sludge that looks a lot like this. A very good idea to pull the valve cover. This type of sludge is obviously not good for an engine, and clogged PCVs have been known to cause engine leaks due to increased engine pressure.
Probably a good idea to at least check your PVC from time to time as your engine climbs near 100k miles. And if you replace, only use an OEM PCV valve. I usually replace mine every 75k miles. It is a cheap part, so I would rather just have a new one available when tackling the project.
I would also start doing oil and filter changes every 5000 miles
With a clogged PCV, there's a decent chance your spark plug tubes may be full of oil from oil pushing past the seals due to the pressure. Doesn't explain the oil loss you're seeing, but just something else to be aware of.
A clogged PCV could be stuck open as well. In that case, the oil loss makes sense.
I agree on the shorter change interval, especially given your stop-start driving, probably a lot of short trips.
Best way to clear an engine of excessive sludge buildup (other than a total tear down) is to run a few short interval oil changes (~500 miles) with about 20% Marvel Mystery Oil.
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OP, hope you find the cause of the oil consumption. Definitely not normal for a 200.
I had an Acura TL that suffered oil consumption ~40-50k miles, and actually worsened to the point where the engine itself had NO oil. Had to get a new engine, and I got rid of it soon after. Turned me off against Acura forever.
Hope yours is not the case.
I had an Acura TL that suffered oil consumption ~40-50k miles, and actually worsened to the point where the engine itself had NO oil. Had to get a new engine, and I got rid of it soon after. Turned me off against Acura forever.
Hope yours is not the case.
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You should really change your oil more often. The 0w/20 oil is already very thin to start with and once it gets diluted with fuel/exhaust that gets past the rings, the viscosity decreases. I'd buy a high quality synthetic (Amsoil, Castrol, etc) and change it every 5000 miles.
Steve K.
Steve K.
Agreed.
Substitute one quart of engine oil with a quart of MMO. Run it for ~500 miles, then repeat. Then go back to your usual oil.
When I bought my '87, the 22RE had a nasty timing chain rattle when I would start it up. The truck wasn't driven often, so the engine had a bunch of sludge in it. I did the MMO treatment, and I was surprised how quickly the oil went dark to black. Timing chain rattle went away, the tensioner just needed to be flushed.
That's pretty much what the MMO treatment is.
- Thread starter
- #38
Hi Folks,
This evening I checked the oil level since changing the PCV valve and discovered that my Cruiser was low in motor oil. The PCV valve has improved the oil consumption, it has been 1497 miles since I last topped off. This evening I had to add 726ml of 0-20w. Before I changed the PCV valve it has been consistently consuming 1 quart (946ml) every 1000 miles. Let me say that this Cruiser has been solid since I have owned the vehicle, this minor engine oil consumption will not lead me to sell the vehicle. I just want to get to the bottom of why of this problem and find a solution.
Next steps:
I am at 160,500 miles now and I plan to take it to the dealer for a motor oil and filter change and an engine flush. I will stick with Toyota 0-20w for now. I also do plan to extract some oil and send it in for an analysis at Blackstone Laboratories.
Will keep you all posted at the next 1000 - 1500 miles.
Thanks everyone
This evening I checked the oil level since changing the PCV valve and discovered that my Cruiser was low in motor oil. The PCV valve has improved the oil consumption, it has been 1497 miles since I last topped off. This evening I had to add 726ml of 0-20w. Before I changed the PCV valve it has been consistently consuming 1 quart (946ml) every 1000 miles. Let me say that this Cruiser has been solid since I have owned the vehicle, this minor engine oil consumption will not lead me to sell the vehicle. I just want to get to the bottom of why of this problem and find a solution.
Next steps:
I am at 160,500 miles now and I plan to take it to the dealer for a motor oil and filter change and an engine flush. I will stick with Toyota 0-20w for now. I also do plan to extract some oil and send it in for an analysis at Blackstone Laboratories.
Will keep you all posted at the next 1000 - 1500 miles.
Thanks everyone
I’d also have the dealer change your PCV valve again
- Thread starter
- #40
Curious as to why you think the part needs to be replaced again?
