Oil Consumption
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Oil Consumption
I just rebuilt my engine and I have less than 400 miles on the rebuild. With 97,000 miles on the block the cylinders were only .002 out. I did not bore .030 over, so almost all is original items. New include cam, lifters, pushrods, and rockers. I am a little concerned with the about of oil I am going through during break-in. I have used about 2 quarts of oil. Does this seem a little excessive to anyone else?
There is no smoke from the exhaust and you don't smell oil buring. Under the car there is a small puddle, but that appears to be from the transmission. When the oil is checked it is still of good consistancy. Anyone have any ideas of where the oil is going? :crazy:
There is no smoke from the exhaust and you don't smell oil buring. Under the car there is a small puddle, but that appears to be from the transmission. When the oil is checked it is still of good consistancy. Anyone have any ideas of where the oil is going? :crazy:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
Probably a little more info would help. Did you replace the rings and hone the cylinders? What about the valve seals? 2 quarts in less than 400 miles seems excessive to me. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (marshrat99)
I had the engine completly taken apart and re-assembled replacing all rings, gaskets, and bearings. There was also a complete valve job done. The reason behind the rebuild was I broke a valve spring and dropped the valve into the cylinder. The person before me put 6,000 miles on it in 11 years.
Before the rebuild, but after replacing the valve covers I didn't go through any oil.
I can't remember if i replace the PCV or not. I replaced on this year but that might have been in my truck. :confused:
Before the rebuild, but after replacing the valve covers I didn't go through any oil.
I can't remember if i replace the PCV or not. I replaced on this year but that might have been in my truck. :confused:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
I feel a little sheepish now. I went out at lunch and checked the air filter... nothing. I check all around the top of the block. Absolutely nothing. I looked under the driver's side of the car. Again didn't see anything. Decided to reach under and feel around. Found oil on the bottom of the oil pan, side of the oil pan, and the oil filter. Then it started to make since. There isn't oil on the floor because it only loses it when there is pressure. I tried turning the filter by hand and it really didn't move. When I get home I will get the wrench out and see if I can tighten it with the wrench on by hand more. Will it hurt it if I give it a 1/4 - 1/2 turn with a socket wrench?
As you can see I am a little new to working on cars. My first experience working on them was rebuilding the engine.
:hurray:
As you can see I am a little new to working on cars. My first experience working on them was rebuilding the engine.
:hurray:
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
There are a 1000 ways of rebuilding an engine and only 1 correct way. Looks like you are in the 1000's ways. Pull it out take it to a professional and have it rebuilt the "1 correct way". Live and learn
"One" only rebuilds and engine once and replaces and exhaust system once after that they are always taken to a pro. Not worth doing for 99% of us.
"One" only rebuilds and engine once and replaces and exhaust system once after that they are always taken to a pro. Not worth doing for 99% of us.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Oil Consumption (Bad-79)
There are a 1000 ways of rebuilding an engine and only 1 correct way. Looks like you are in the 1000's ways. Pull it out take it to a professional and have it rebuilt the "1 correct way". Live and learn
"One" only rebuilds and engine once and replaces and exhaust system once after that they are always taken to a pro. Not worth doing for 99% of us.
"One" only rebuilds and engine once and replaces and exhaust system once after that they are always taken to a pro. Not worth doing for 99% of us.
How did you break the eng in? Did you get some high rpm burts to seat the rings? Don't over tighten the filter cuz then can a biatch to get off.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (Bad-79)
I pulled the engine, disassembled it to the short block and took it to the shop. They disassebled it the rest of the way, cleaned it, mic'ed it, honed it, reassembled it with all new bearings and rings. They also disassembed and reassembled the heads with new parts. I then brought everything home, reassemble the long block, and dropped it back it. The engine itself runs great. I'm loving it. it is so much better than when i bought it.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (Fevre)
I ran it for 20 minutes at about 2000 RPMs. Then did an oil change. Since then I have been driving it to work on the nice days (hard to come by in chicago this time of year). This is a start stop type driving for 10 miles each way. I have varied my driving to make sure everything is seating. I really thing it might be the filter. If anything I will just change the oil again and see if it still leaks.
I must say too not everyone is rich and can afford to have people do things for them all the time. There are also some of us that enjoy working on our own things and don't mind learning from our mistakes even if it does take more time or possibly even more money in the long run.
I must say too not everyone is rich and can afford to have people do things for them all the time. There are also some of us that enjoy working on our own things and don't mind learning from our mistakes even if it does take more time or possibly even more money in the long run.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
Have you pulled your plugs? That might tell you if the oil is going through the eng and it does not always show by smoke out the tail pipes. Chase down where that oil is coming from on the pan/filterand keep :steering: while checking the oil. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (Fevre)
I guess there are some pretty talented people in these forums. "keep :steering: while checking the oil." The best I can do is check the oil pressure.
I am going to hope the filter/pan problems solves it. Any of use that have actually worked on our cars know how fun it is to get to a lot of the spark plugs.
I am going to hope the filter/pan problems solves it. Any of use that have actually worked on our cars know how fun it is to get to a lot of the spark plugs.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
Don't over tighten the pan bolts..those are dinky little bolts and can snap in a jiff...check the torque settings and use the torque wrench to tighten them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Oil Consumption (Fevre)
Sorry Fevre... Bad-79 kinda set me off yesterday. You come to these forums trying to find help and basically he called me an idiot. I don't take that very well. Yes I am new to working on cars, but most people don't mind helping someone out. Bad-79 seems like he wants to take everyone back about 100 steps instead of in the forward motion.
I had it up on a lift today, due to a lower "A" arm coming loose and noticed a little drip coming from the plug too. I will replace that.
I had it up on a lift today, due to a lower "A" arm coming loose and noticed a little drip coming from the plug too. I will replace that.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 1
Re: Oil Consumption (mygrl76)
I must say too not everyone is rich and can afford to have people do things for them all the time. There are also some of us that enjoy working on our own things and don't mind learning from our mistakes even if it does take more time or possibly even more money in the long run.
;)
I'd put the car on stands and clean it well , then bust it off and literally watch where the leak is coming from . As moral support , don't worry it's probably a small thing and remember..the hard work is over
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Oil Consumption (mountainmotor)
Yup waht Mountain said is true....clean the block, look at the oil filter, the set screws for the oil galleys, if your motor has them, also the oil pressure gague fitting, intake manifold seal, and last, if all else checks out ok, rear main...you might also be loosing oil through the valve seals....
Good luck with your search
Good luck with your search
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
Re: Oil Consumption (paul67)
I don't know if this helps, but here's my oil consumption story. Maybe you'll find some things to check from reading it.
When I bought my 71 the 454 had been recently rebuilt by the previous owner. It had an oil consumption problem to the tune of 1Q/200 miles and smoke on deceleration.
I found they installed dual valve springs where the inner spring was so small it tore the valve seals. Replaced seals with PC seals. 1Q/600 miles, no smoke.
Next found leaks around oilpan. Replaced gasket with one-piece fel-pro. Also found fuel pump leaking oil (yes, it is possible) as well as valvecovers. 1Q/800 miles.
Found oil in intake ports. Replaced warped intake. 1Q 1200 miles.
Still found some oil in intake ports. Replaced fel-pro intake gasket with Victor Reinz gasket.
Final oil consumption: 1Q/7000 miles.
When I bought my 71 the 454 had been recently rebuilt by the previous owner. It had an oil consumption problem to the tune of 1Q/200 miles and smoke on deceleration.
I found they installed dual valve springs where the inner spring was so small it tore the valve seals. Replaced seals with PC seals. 1Q/600 miles, no smoke.
Next found leaks around oilpan. Replaced gasket with one-piece fel-pro. Also found fuel pump leaking oil (yes, it is possible) as well as valvecovers. 1Q/800 miles.
Found oil in intake ports. Replaced warped intake. 1Q 1200 miles.
Still found some oil in intake ports. Replaced fel-pro intake gasket with Victor Reinz gasket.
Final oil consumption: 1Q/7000 miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: Oil Consumption (zwede)
I've built a dozen or so smallblock Chevy's and the last one used a quart every 400 miles for the last several years.I was working on the 406 buildup and didn't want to spend the money or time to fix a $1.50 per week problem. I kept my eye on the oil level as any good mechanic would and topped it off as needed.
That being said,if you have oil drops on the outside of the engine,and you do not see smoke in the exhaust,you have an oil leak,not a consumption problem.This can be difficult to trace due to the rearward airstream that will force any fluid leak to the rear of the car.Start at the highest most forward point,and look back till you see the first signs of oil.Could be valve covers,oil pressure sending units,heck I've even had the gasket on the distributer shaft leak once.
As for the forum,most of us mean well and offer great suggestions and a lot of times resolve problems.Then there are some here that just make problems. :leaving:
That being said,if you have oil drops on the outside of the engine,and you do not see smoke in the exhaust,you have an oil leak,not a consumption problem.This can be difficult to trace due to the rearward airstream that will force any fluid leak to the rear of the car.Start at the highest most forward point,and look back till you see the first signs of oil.Could be valve covers,oil pressure sending units,heck I've even had the gasket on the distributer shaft leak once.
As for the forum,most of us mean well and offer great suggestions and a lot of times resolve problems.Then there are some here that just make problems. :leaving: