How much is too much? Oil loss/usage

[dieselnomad]

Hi,
So, i noticed that I may have a bit of a tranny leak, not regular, not all the time. Trying to diagnose that. Meanwhile, I checked my engine oil, probably down a qt since I topped off last few weeks ago. I've checked over most seals and stuff but don't see anything unusual. I've got about nearly 10k on the current oil, almost 122k on the truck. The last couple of K have been kinda hard, a little pulling, a lot fast. What are other 12valves using for oil?

btw, I'm running Amsoil 15w-40, with donaldson filters (not that this'll make a difference I think). Past engine oil analysis was really good, rings, pistons, etc. all normal.

Hey, also, if I was seeing oil in the radiator, would it rise to the top? or do I need to draw from the bottom (which is heavier, oil or antifreeze h2o?)

OK, too many questions late at night, thanks for the input. :Paully6: :dunno:

[Jim]

If there were oil n the rad, you would have a brownish milkshake look going on. You would notice right away. As far as oil useage i never need to add any inbetween oil changes, but I only go 3-4k on dino oil. When your beating on it, it will send a little extra out of the draft tube but nothing real noticeable. Do you notice a puddle when you park, or is your rear axle covered in oil? If not Id say its just burning off inside the engine.

[dieselnomad]

The rad is nice green in color. The overflow bottle looks brownish, but thats hard to tell, could be dirty container effecting what it looks like on the inside. I'm going to get a baster or something to pull some of that fluid out and have a look.

No puddle when I park, sometimes a few drips. Rear axle is fine, no oil there.

I'm thinking I might have a ring seating problem - lots of bluish smoke at startup and will go away after it reaches full temp. But, it's done this for as long as I've had the truck. The oil consumption is a new thing.... Thanks :)

[DMcpherson]

blue smoke is definately a sign of oil consumption internally. if it goes away at operating temp there could be a few issues.
what was the soot level of the oil, and has it gone up progressively from past samples.
Cummins allows 400 miles pre quart of oil used any thing over this is excessive.
you could also have a blow by issue without having excessive cylinder wear
what kind of air filter do you have and have you checked the intake piping for dirt or dust?
that is what i would start with anyway

[Jim]

I recently had an issue with oil blowing out the dipstick when past 60 lbs of boost. Last time I did my oil, I spaced out and put in 12 qts, instead of the 11 needed. I dropped a quart out of the pan and let er rip and no more blowby. Maybe helps in my situation, but seems art has something else going on.

[dieselnomad]

blue smoke is definately a sign of oil consumption internally. if it goes away at operating temp there could be a few issues.
what was the soot level of the oil, and has it gone up progressively from past samples.
Cummins allows 400 miles pre quart of oil used any thing over this is excessive.
you could also have a blow by issue without having excessive cylinder wear
what kind of air filter do you have and have you checked the intake piping for dirt or dust?
that is what i would start with anyway

hi, thanks for the response...

Well, i did check the air intake filter tube into the turbo. It was kinda dirty, more so than i remember with my past filter. I'm running a BHAF - fleetguard filter (big cylinder filter). I'm gonna have to check it again... It's only about 9 months old/installed.

yesterday I mailed out an oil analysis so I'll see what's up with that report. I don't think I'm 400miles/qt, more like 700+ I think.

[dieselnomad]

Maybe helps in my situation, but seems art has something else going on.

no doubt..... :dunno: :dunno:

[dieselnomad]

So coming home from work this after, 'bout 3, no smoke at all. Was in mid-'70s then so truck was like pre-warmed.

I also checked the air intake tube before the turbo, it's pretty clean. I don't suspect this is the issue.

Checked oil too, last fill on Sun I was a hair over the "safe" mark. Now I'm a "hair" under. :mad:

I might try and go see Scott before Fri nite and get his opinion, otherwise gonna wait for the oil report and keep on top of it.

Jim, what kinda oil you running in your 12-valve? At this rate I'm using too much to continue using amsoil... :Paully6: lol

Thanks all..

[Jim]

Just Dino Rotella 15-40.

[BelgianMagic]

Just Dino Rotella 15-40.

and from a 12 v standpoint you CAN'T GO WRONG with dino Rotella T 15-40

[dieselnomad]

and from a 12 v standpoint you CAN'T GO WRONG with dino Rotella T 15-40

why? even in real cold like we have around here? I was told & read that synth is better when it gets real cold like.

it would be easier for me to just use rotella, it's what i use in my tractors too. . .

[BelgianMagic]

why? even in real cold like we have around here? I was told & read that synth is better when it gets real cold like.

it would be easier for me to just use rotella, it's what i use in my tractors too. . .

Arth...I have been using Rotella since its invention(late 70's early 80 s) and NEVER HAD A PROBLEM ...NEVER

COLD COLD YOU START THE truck and just jet it idle for a min then high idle

[dieselnomad]

OK, Thanks, Flip

[dieselnomad]

hi... lol I was searching through the forums this lunch time and found this.

I never said what caused the oil leak :97DodgeCTD: :smilielol:

Bad vacuum pump seals....

Now I'm looking for ways to add more air... :woohoo:

[DCreed]

I ran some Ams syth last year and also had excessive consumption. Went back to Rotella and problem stopped.:m2c:

[Jim]

I ran some Ams syth last year and also had excessive consumption. Went back to Rotella and problem stopped.:m2c:

warpig had an excessive consumption problem with absynth also :exactly:

[95Cummins]

TDR a few months ago rated Mobil Delvac as one of the worst oils they tested, but I run it in my truck and it goes through about half a quart in 5k miles. 15w40 in all weathers. :dunno:

Just a side note.... one of the locals around here bought a 6.4 Ford, changed his oil at 5k, then sent out an analysis at 10k. When the results came back, it said "excessive fuel contamination." Went to Ford, they said that fuel in the oil was normal :dunno: :nutkick:

[dieselnomad]

I ran amsoil for 1.5 yrs, had that consumption problem.. switched to rotella last summer (see above :falldownlaugh:) and problem went away. even after fixing the leak, no more consumption. After installing new turbo this winter I went to Valvoline true blue 15w-40, Cummins certified, CI4-plus oil. Truck luvs it, no loss, no leaks, runs nice. Think I'll stick with this for now...

Still looking for more air though,the BHAF just isn't cutting it.. so I think... or what do I know? :nutkick: :smilielol:

p.s. when I did my last oil analysis, while still running amsoil, I got the "high fuel contamination" comment too. They claimed it was probably from just running for a short while and the shutting down. But, the problem is, I ran it for like 45min and then shutdown and pulled the sample... :dunno:

Also, i got an email that said amsoil is going up to like 5.50/qt for 15w-40 so it really don't make a whole bunch of sense... IMHO

[97dodgectd]

i would just run rotella 15w 40 its 9.99 a gallon at autozone or where ever you go, and you can buy by the case at sams club or bj's or costco which ever you have near you.

[dieselnomad]

nah, i like the true blue stuff, it's a better oil than the Rotella. Less ash, better rating, Cummins certified. I don't think there's anything wrong with Rotella, just going to keep using what I have been.

[97dodgectd]

its probably the same price and pretty much the same oil, rotella is cummins,cat and many more certified as well. :professor: my truck runs on dinosaurs, and french fries.

[sooter]

i usually run amsoil, but my last oil change i've been running Valvoline....which has cummins on the front of the bottle (dunno the rating).

i dunno:dunno: