Should I be worried?

[84Bruiser]

'84 2F w/ 163K

Leaks ~dime sized drop of oil overnight/weekend.

changed oil today (first time since purchase), only dumped ~4-5 qts.

How worried should I be? It passed Boulder, CO emission testing just fine, doesn't show smoke, but you can smell oil burning sometimes.

 

[fsusteve]

What do you mean by "dumped 4-5 qts"? The 2F holds 8. Trace the leak down, could be as simple as a couple of loose bolts.

 

[swank60]

I was loosing oil like crazy - loose oil pan bolts.

Check for leaks around the fuel pump, too.

 

[IDave]

Sometimes leaking occurs mainly while driving (a drop overnight doesn't sound like much: losing 4 quarts between changes is A LOT). You ought to be able to see evidence of leakage during driving by looking underneath and seeing oil around the oil pan, etc, and all over everything. You may have to clean everything up with degreaser and reassess to really tell where and how fast.

But, you may also be burning oil past the rings. A wet/dry compression test will probably give you an idea.

 

[swank60]

But, you may also be burning oil past the rings. A wet/dry compression test will probably give you an idea.

I've never heard of this? Wuold this be due to valve leakage?

 

[treerootCO]

My 2f is toast but I drive it anyway....you know, check the gas and fill the oil I lose tons of oil but nothing really leaks. I might have a drip every other week from the rear main but that is it. No smoke out the tailpipe around town. I would guess I lose 2-3 quarts every time I fill up. Try this to prove it....idle down a hill and let the engine hold you back. The longer the better....the engine will create enough vacuum that more oil than usual will be pulled past the valves and get spit out the exhaust. She should start smoking and at that point, you pretty much know what you already knew

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I found that the amount of oil used varies a lot with what oil is used. When I ran my FJ40 on Mobil 1 15w-50 I would use about 1 quart per 750 miles. Since I have switched to Chevron 20w-50 my oil consumption is almost not measurable. Not sure why, but I would have thought there would be less use with the synthetic but not the case. My FJ60 uses about 2 quarts in a 5000 mile change interval and it runs on Delo 15w-40 in the winter and Chevron 20w-50 in the summer.

Maybe the only real advice would be to check your oil more often and avoid being so low. I try to add as soon as it get 1/2 quart down on the dipstick.

 

[84Bruiser]

It never (seemed to) have a problem. Oil pressure was always fine, never ran hot, doesn't appear to leak (THAT much). I'll just kee pan eye out.

 

[IDave]

I've never heard of this? Wuold this be due to valve leakage?

I claim no expertise, but page 3-2 of the F engine manual, Engine Trouble-shooting after it goes through leaky gaskets, under excessive oil conSUMption it lists 1) broken or worn piston rings 2) ring gaps 3) sticky ring grooves 4) carbon deposits in the oil return hole of oil ring. And so on. Do I hear a ringing in my head?

Nothing about valves, but worn valve stem oil seals or guides is in there.

Then it says wrong grade oil for conditions.

I think someone has said that synthetics leak and get past seals easier than dino oil more than a few times.

 

[swank60]

Dave, I'd trust your mechanical lack of expertise over mine any day!

You know, I had a thought though - with that much consumption, it's probably a combo of things. You should replace your PCV valve, too. If it's blocked up, it'll cause undo pressure in the crankcase that'll force oil through all the soft goodies in the head, etc, and through the rings, no matter how good they are.

Still look into the leaks though.

 

[Landpimp]

worn valve seals will make(I tkink) only smoke on startup, after sitting for a while.

I claim no expertise, but page 3-2 of the F engine manual, Engine Trouble-shooting after it goes through leaky gaskets, under excessive oil conSUMption it lists 1) broken or worn piston rings 2) ring gaps 3) sticky ring grooves 4) carbon deposits in the oil return hole of oil ring. And so on. Do I hear a ringing in my head?

Nothing about valves, but worn valve stem oil seals or guides is in there.

Then it says wrong grade oil for conditions.

I think someone has said that synthetics leak and get past seals easier than dino oil more than a few times.

 

[IDave]

worn valve seals will make(I tkink) only smoke on startup, after sitting for a while.

That's interesting to know.

He says he smells oil burning "sometimes", so that's why I'm thinking internally.