I'm burnin' oil!

[Chewbacca]

Well, the last two times I changed my oil, my car only spit out 3 quarts when I drained it. I drove 4000 miles last time, and 5000 this time between changes. I usually try to keep it under 4000, but I just never had a chance to change it. Has this happened to anyone else? Does this car burn oil like that, I don't remember hearing anything like that. I've been using Mobil 1 10W-30 (synthetic) since I bought the car. It is now 3 years old with about 38,000 miles on it. I don't really drive it too hard, and I never have seen any leaks. As for mods...they should all be listed below! Thanks!

Chewy

[carchitect]

Would a compression check be in order?

[Speedy]

Welcome to the club chewy.

[TCPMeta]

This is a common problem i've seen with a few of LH model 2.7Ls and a old 3.2L I use to have. On your next oil change add a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil then the rest with mobile 1 10w30. Keep a eye on the oil level, the MMO will eat the sludge and clean everything then burn itself out. In all it should take a week for all of the MMO to cook out so keep a quart or two of oil in the trunk and check the oil when you leave work and such. After two weeks and no change and the motor is still eatting oil then there are two problems to look at.

1. The car is running a bit hot then normal

2. Theres a compression problem and you should get a compression and a leak down test done.

[Tbird100636]

Here's Chrysler take on oil consumption...

Case Number: 999926737
Vehicle Issue: Excessive engine oil consumption noted.
Year: 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990
Model: A1 - (EXPORT) New Yorker, Spirit | A3 - (EXPORT) Lebaron | A4 - (EXPORT) Phantom | AA - Acclaim, LeBaron, LeBaron Landau, Spirit | AB - Ram Van/Wagon | AC - Dynasty, New Yorker Landau, New Yorker Salon | AD - Ram Pickup, Ramcharger, Ram Cab and Chassis | AG - Daytona, Pacifica, Shelby, IROC, Chrysler GS,Laser | AH - Lancer, LeBaron, GTS | AJ - LeBaron | AK - Aries,Reliant | AL - Omni, Charger, Horizon, Turismo, GLH, Shelby Charger | AM - Diplomat, Newport, Fifth Avenue, Gran Fury | AN - Dakota | AP - Shadow, Sundance, Shadow Convertible | AQ - Chrysler's Maserati Coupe | AS - Caravan, Voyager, Town and Country | AY - Imperial/New Yorker | AY - Fifth Avenue, Imperial | B2 - (IMPORT) Colt/Vista/Summit | B4 - Ram 50 | B6 - Ram Raider | B7 - (IMPORT) Stealth, Stealth ES, Stealth R/T | B8 - (IMPORT) Colt/Vista/Summit-Wagon | B9 - (IMPORT) Colt/Summit | BB - Monaco, Premier | BC - Medallion | BD - (IMPORT) Laser,Talon | BE - Ram Pickup/Quad Cab | BR - Ram Pickup | CS - Pacifica | DH - Ram Pickup HD | DN - Durango | DR - Ram Pickup | FJ - Avenger, Sebring | FJ - (IMPORT) Talon | GS - (EXPORT) Voyager/Grand Voyager | HB - Durango | J2 - (EXPORT) Cirrus, Stratus, Stratus RT | JA - Breeze | JA - Cirrus | JA - Stratus | JR - Sebring/Stratus Sedan | JR - Sebring Convertible | JX - Sebring JX, Sebring JXi | KJ - Liberty | LH - New Yorker | LH - Vision | LH - LHS | LH - Intrepid | LH - Concorde | LH - 300M | LX - 300 | LX - Magnum | MJ - Comanche | ND - Dakota | NS - Caravan, Voyager, Town and Country | P1 - (EXPORT) Neon | PL - Neon | PG - (EXPORT) Chrysler Cruiser | PR - Prowler | PT - Chrysler Cruiser | R1 - (EXPORT) Dakota | RG - (EXPORT) Caravan, Voyager, Town and Country | RS - Caravan, Voyager, Town and Country | SJ - Grand Wagoneer | SR - Viper Coupe/Roadster | ST - Sebring/Stratus Coupe | TJ - Wrangler | VA - Sprinter | WG - (EXPORT) Grand Cherokee | WH - (EXPORT) Grand Cherokee | WJ - Grand Cherokee | WK - Grand Cherokee | XJ - Cherokee | YJ - Wrangler | ZB - Viper Coupe/Roadster | ZG - (EXPORT) Grand Cherokee | ZH - Crossfire | ZJ - Grand Cherokee
Category: Customer Concern (No DTCs)
System or Component: Engine Oil
Symptom: Consumption / Oil Level Low But No Leak
Condition Verification: Yes - Intermittent | Yes - Continuously
Case Verification: Applies to most DaimlerChrysler models equipped with gasoline engine.
Recommendation: See recommended diagnosis / repair steps provided. Repair as required.
STEP 1): NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION: See industry standard engine oil consumption guidelines:
{A}: Mileage below 50,000: Normal oil consumption is one quart for each 1,000 miles driven.
{B}: Mileage above 50,000: Normal oil consumption is one quart for each 750 miles driven.
No action recommended unless oil consumption is verified to exceed the industry standard.
STEP 2): PCV OR CCV SYSTEM: Check the crankcase ventilation system for proper operation. Oil may accumulate in the throttle body or intake manifold. IMPORTANT: Rocker arm lubrication oil flow returns to oil pan through drainback holes in top of cylinder head. Plugged or restricted oil drainback holes may contribute to excessive oil in crankcase ventilation system.
STEP 3): SPARK PLUGS: Examine all spark plugs to identify the affected cylinder(s). Spark plug on the affected cylinder(s) will usually be fouled or wet with engine oil.
STEP 4): VALVE GUIDES AND VALVE STEM SEALS: Inspect valve guides on the affected cylinder(s). Replace valve stem seals on the affected cylinder(s).
STEP 5): PISTON RINGS: Check piston rings on the affected cylinder(s). Piston rings may be too tight / worn / broken / carbon build up in the oil control ring.
STEP 6): CYLINDER WALL: Examine the cylinder wall on the affected cylinder(s). Cylinder wall may be severely scuffed. Perform hone procedure on the cylinder wall or replace cylinder block / short engine assembly as required.
Modification Date: 01/13/05 11:59 AM

[TTMR]

Sounds like you meet the industry standard

[ZMagnum]

I keep checking and my oil level stays fine up to 3,000 miles anyway.

[MooNDoGGie]

I use Mobil1 and my engine uses a litre after 10,000km. The engine isn't burning oil it uses it as designed. Worry not.

[Big RobsR/T]

I was using 10W30 Mobil Synthetic and went close to 5000 miles because I didnt have time to get it changed before driving on a business trip. I came back and it was just over a quart low. I guess it burned it up because I sure didnt have a leak. I do have 48,000 miles on my car though.

[Chewbacca]

Cool, thanks everyone, I guess it's not as bad as I thought afterall. I'll just keep an eye on it and try to change it at 3000 miles this time to see how it is. If it's worse than it should be, I'll try one of the fixes listed above. Thanks again!

Chewy

[DannyC]

I just changed my oil at 24,000 and it was just below the full mark. I also use Mobile 1 and have the 3.5.

To me the industry standard of 1qt per 1000 is way off. My old shovel(1980 Low Rider) never burned that much and they were famous for using oil.

[MooNDoGGie]

...but then thats just you.