Where did the oil go?

[Romanknight]

Ok, I'm baffled: since Monday morning (checked Thursday morning=3days), the oil level on the dipstick has gone from almost full to almost low level (just a little bit above low). Acording to the book, that's at least 1(ONE) quart of oil gone -in three days. Synthetic oil since october, same level till this week. No spots on pavement, nada, zip, none. No noise, and no smoke from exhaust. Some crud on the underside of engine and transmission, but it's been like that since I bought it.
Search didn't enlighten me at all. If there's a leak, where did all the oil go? If rear main, could one whole quart go in the trans bellhousing? I'll take it to the shop tomorrow, but your input is wellcome -and appreciated!

 

[Hayes]

I've heard of rigs consuming significant amounts of certain sythetic oils, buy yours seems kind of sudden.
??

Hayes

 

[CJF]

Ok, I'm baffled: since Monday morning (checked Thursday morning=3days), the oil level on the dipstick has gone from almost full to almost low level (just a little bit above low). Acording to the book, that's at least 1(ONE) quart of oil gone -in three days. Synthetic oil since october, same level till this week. No spots on pavement, nada, zip, none. No noise, and no smoke from exhaust. Some crud on the underside of engine and transmission, but it's been like that since I bought it.
Search didn't enlighten me at all. If there's a leak, where did all the oil go? If rear main, could one whole quart go in the trans bellhousing? I'll take it to the shop tomorrow, but your input is wellcome -and appreciated!

I wouldn't bother taking it to the shop yet. A lot of things can affect oil level, one example being if you've only been driving short trips around town, and then hit the highway one day.

Also of course make sure you're always measuring under the same conditions. (Hot/cold, enigine fully warm but just shut off, engine fully warm but shut off for five minutes, etc.) I'd just check it every day for a few days and see if you really are getting a steady downward trend.

Curtis

 

[Romanknight]

My driving has been the same, every day. (Exciting, huh!)
Checked dipstick in the same place (front of house) and conditions.
I didn't do it the past two days, because I didn't think this oil drop was possible, without leaving a big puddle under the truck.
Because of work, if I don't take it to the shop tomorrow, next week will be MUCH more inconvenient.
Where did the oil go?

 

[CJF]

My driving has been the same, every day. (Exciting, huh!)
Checked dipstick in the same place (front of house) and conditions.
I didn't do it the past two days, because I didn't think this oil drop was possible, without leaving a big puddle under the truck.
Because of work, if I don't take it to the shop tomorrow, next week will be MUCH more inconvenient.
Where did the oil go?

Of course they'll be happy to take your money, but I can't imagine what they'd even check at this point.

Unless someone else chimes in, I just don't see how you you could hurt anything by monitoring it for a few days or even a week. I'll bet it was just a fluke, and even if it's not it seems like you're better off gathering information at this point. If you take it in, the most likely scenario will be that they say, "Nope, didn't find anything; keep an eye on it", and there you are in the same spot anyway, only with a lighter wallet.

Where did the oil go? I have no idea.

Good luck,

Curtis

 

[CJF]

Hey Roman,

I've been thinking. If you don't take it in tomorrow, and then something happens over the weekend like your HG blows, then whether it's actually related to your oil issue or not, you'll have a hard time not blaming me. So now I maybe think you oughta take it in.

Only half kidding,

Curtis

 

[Romanknight]

CJF, I hope you don't jinx me with bad mojo!

 

[CJF]

CJF, I hope you don't jinx me with bad mojo!

Sorry!!

I still bet it's just a fluke...

 

[snowwolf]

Make sure it was measured with the truck on the same bit of ground, just a slight incline can make a big difference on the level on the dip stick

 

[Romanknight]

Well, rings are good =not smoking, oil pan bolts are tight, bellhousing is dry =not rear main seal, a bit wet under front one, but not much. I put some dye in the oil, and will do a black light inspection. Refilled on Fri, and Sat morning showed the same level =good!

 

[CJF]

Update?

 

[Romanknight]

...And what an update!

It was leaking from the chain tensioner gasket and lower oil pan. Got the chain gasket form CDan (he rocks!), used silicone on the lower pan. Fine and dandy for one month. Long highway trip (600 miles @70+mph), three days later starts to loose oil -again. Two quarts in 10 days. Sending unit went bad, got it replaced, switched to 10W40, will monitor the situation.

 

[Randerso]

Where did the oil go?

My 95 LC has done the same trick. My valve cover has had a slow leak forever, but there is no drip on the garage floor. Hard to belive a quart or more of oil could leak that fast and not drip, but it does.

 

[Romanknight]

So far, no consumption for the past two weeks. Didn't drive it much, though.