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05 pacifica heavy oil consumption


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shotgunboss
User

Dec 27, 2008, 7:47 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2176 views)
05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

Frownmy wife traded in her 91 cad, for a 05 chrysler pacifica with the 3.5 litre v6 with 36k on odometer, fresh oil change when purchased, we went on a short trip (500 miles round trip) about a week later i checked the oil and it was a quart low about 900 miles later, i have changed it to full syn. but that hasnt really helped the problem, it doesnt leak oil and really doesnt seem to be smoking out the exhuast yet the tail pipe is sooty, so it is burning it off from somewhere? chrysler said a quart every 1000k is normal!? it recommends 10-30 oil, my question is would a lighter oil be better say amsoil 0w-30? and do the 25k interval? i suspect the oil is getting past the oil control rings? i use a quality filter and oil, i tried mobil1 and vavoline full syn so far any help would be greatCrazy


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 27, 2008, 8:09 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2175 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

First things first.

Did you know and see the oil full before the 900 mile run? It might have been off a bit when you began so you need a known basline for judgment and what oil was used.

For the age and miles I'd only use the suggested viscosity the manu list for the car. I like synthetics but you still buy the viscosity for the vehicle.

True about consumption of a qt in 1,000 miles will be written off as normal if you can't see a leak that's just too small an amount to nail down very easily.

BTW - There's no such thing as a 25,000 mile oil change interval IMHO - read the fine print of the oil maker and the car maker,

T



shotgunboss
User

Dec 27, 2008, 8:20 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2172 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

yes it was full, i know about the 25k changes, they have 12.5k filters, and yes it maybe sooner rather than later, i've never had a vehicle use so much in such a short span, my 'burban with 180k use's half a quart in 6k which is my interval, we live in an area that is wide open, everywhere you go is pedal to the metal, so you dont have to ride your brake like in some other parts of the country


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 27, 2008, 8:52 AM

Post #4 of 7 (2169 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

If you don't know what exact oil was in it when you first got it then change it now for something known if only to rule that part out. It may be just fine.

Oil consumption 101: Just because an engine doesn't consume much or any oil between checks or changes doesn't absolutely mean it's a good engine or that it isn't using oil. The dirt, moisture, raw fuel etc., may be displacing the lost oil hence fooling you that it doesn't use any or much.

It's my opinion and there are exceptions but the vast majority of people should be on a 3mo or 3K change interval. No arguement that folks will get away with no oil changing and others go crazy taking care of things and stuff happens??


T



DanD
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DanD profile image

Dec 27, 2008, 9:44 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2159 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

What I would do, is what Tom has told you; is stick with whatever viscosity that it recommended by the manufacturer. The next thing is stay with the same brand (of your choice); don’t be switching brands with every oil change.
I have sold Shell, Sunoco, Pennzoil and now oil packaged by AC Delco; all of these oils meet SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards. With each change in brands; some of my customers have mentioned an increase in oil consumption. After whatever brand was used for a short period time (two or three changes); the consumption went back to “normal”.
What make’s these oils different are the additive packages that are mixed in, to make it theirs; base oil is base oil.
Friction modifiers, cleaners and maybe some for grannies cooking oil; whatever these additives are, is what will burn out of a “good engine”, while it’s doing its job of cleaning whatever it was designed to clean the best.
I don’t really have anything in writing to back this up but it’s my experience that after a few months of running the same oil, the consumption went back down to a normal amount.
Who knows what oil the pervious owner was using; once you’ve used your choice in oil, the consumption will likely go down?

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






shotgunboss
User

Dec 27, 2008, 10:32 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2148 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

i think i am going to go with the 25k amsoil 10-30, i will buy a case and 4 filters, i will flush the system first then change the oil and monitor it for the first 3k, then go from there, thanks for your input, as far as what oil was used from previous owners? i was told syn. from day one? but i dont have any service records, it was a local trade i may contact them and find out for sure


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Dec 27, 2008, 10:48 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2147 views)
Re: 05 pacifica heavy oil consumption Sign In

With the low mileage, I doubt that it is the problem, but you may want to replace the PCV valve. They are very inexpensive and I have seen them 'suck' oil out of the engine, but in small enough quanities so as not to cause smoke. Might be worth a try? Also, check the small 'breather' filter inside the air cleaner box. If it is plugged, the crankcase can't breathe, adding to the PCV possibility.
Loren
SW Washington






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