It has happened to me -- But Why???

I've recently traded in my Volvo S80 on a new Honda Odyssey minivan for the wife. By doing so, I took over the 2002 Trooper that she had been driving since we bought in new in 2003.

We've taken good care of the Trooper and I recently "invested" in a new set of Michelin tires and Monroe Reflex shocks. I've also had the Tranny flushed, drained/refilled the diff fluids, switched to synthetic oil, etc.

I've really been trying to baby the Trooper as I plan to keep it for a few more years. The Trooper has been very reliable and everything was working as expected...however, recently I noticed a troubling discovery...oil consumption!

I'm a little pissed and would like to know your thoughts on why this has happened.

Here is what I've done lately....
*At 43k miles, I added the correct amount of Seafoam to the engine
*Drove the vehicle around for 20-30 minutes
*Quickly drained the oil
*Installed WIX oil filter
*Added five (5) quarts of Mobil 1 10W30 Synthetic oil (first try at Synthetic oil in the Trooper)
*Also installed new air filter, Chevron Tech fuel cleaner, air pressure in tires, etc.
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*At 48k miles, I decided that I would drain the oil again....just to make sure that the Seafoam (and it's crud) had been completely removed from the engine. I know, it's a waste, but was concerned about lingering Seafoam and the debris that it cleaned up.
*Refilled Trooper with five (5) quarts of Mobil 1 Truck and Suv 5W40.
*Installed new WIX oil filter
*Insallled new PCV valve (was going to clean out the EGR for the first time too, but ran out of time--new baby)
*I've been checking the oil here lately and notice each time that there would be less and less oil on the stick. WTF!
*I now how have about 1k miles on the truck now and I'm down at least a quart.

I am trying to decide what has created this unwanted monster! Was it the Seafoam...the switch to synthetic oil...the new PCV valve...a dirty EGR...or was it just time for it to start burning oil (from what I understand, ISUZU considers my situation "normal").

Your thoughts?

I honestly wouldn't worry too much, but make sure to add oil when you notice it's low. ;)

clean the EGR system out. Hopefoully that will help. The consumption is the one thing I hate about my Rodeo. It bothers me, not as much as it did when I first got it, but it does. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is check the oil and add more. It is annoying, but not so bad. You may want to switch to a cheaper oil though. You never know, Mobil 1 may be the cause of the added consumption.

Marc

I changed to mobile 1 for the first time at my last oil change and notice no increase in oil use (0.5 qt per 3k).

If you are still under warranty (if you are the first owner) you can have isuzu conduct an oil useage test and see if they will install a new engine.

Be happy you know it burns oil and now watch it.

Once a week top it off.

adding one qt of oil is a small cost to pay (but you are correct, it really shouldn't be doing this).

not to derail the thread, but how do you guys like the synthetic oil? I am considering the switch. I am moving up to a blend for now. I like the idea of synthetic, but I'd be more apt to switch if not for the oil useage.

Mohawk, It could just be because of the oil switching and residual cleaner. See if it levels out. It should. Don't waste your cash on synthetics if usage continues. No sense in wasting $ oil. If usage continues, go with a thicker 40wt oil. 15w-40 is cheap and easy to get.

Marcre, synthetics are awesome if you don't like changing oil every 3-5K miles. I can't stop 'experimenting' with mine :banghead: . I'm currently running shell rotella-t 5w-40. She lights off in the morning @ close to 0degF with the same force she did on 5w-20 or 5w-30. I'm only at 43Kmi, but it's never really burned any oil. It might use 1qt in 3-4Kmi. I'd like to stick with 5K OCI's.

Joel

I have thought about this a little more...

No oil useage between 43K to 48K. Added new 5W40 and changed out the PCV. And now I have oil consumption.

Could it be a bad PCV? I went to the local Isuzu dealer and bought a new one (screw in type). Went home and intsalled it. Just basically screwed out the old one and screwed in the new one and re-attached the hose.

Is there more to it than that? How can you tell if you have a bad PCV?

... How can you tell if you have a bad PCV?

A PCV valve is nothing more than a flow metered check valve. You should be able to suck air (vacuum) thru the valve, but not blow air back thru it. If they get gunked up real bad it can keep the check vlv from seating, which can cause oil vapor to be blown into the intake during low vac, open throttle conditions. I rarely replace OEM PCV valves. I pull them regularly, clean them with intake cleaner, test and reinstall. OEM isuzu PCV valves are very good quality.

Joel

Pull it and shake it. You should here it rattle.

If you don't hear it rattle spray it out with some carb cleaner (I spray mine out about every 1.5k).

where is the PCV and EGR located on a 93 3.2 SOHC trooper??i need to replace mine but have no ides where it is..

I wouldn't run 15w-40 in the winter; but in the summer it would be good. My choice would be 15w-40 Chevron Delo.

Otherwise, for year round oil, change that Trooper over to Rotella synthetic 5w-40, this oil is labeled a synthetic, but is really an ultra purified regular oil suitable for diesel/gasoline engines with heavy detergents.

Personally, I have to wonder if you started using oil because of switching brands, BUT that doesn't mean it'll last forever, it may taper off. Then again, it's possible that that engine doesn't like Mobil 1 - or, maybe it likes it TOO much :naughty:

I have a truck that's had a life of Havoline, with the exception of a few variables, one of them being Castrol GTX about 6yrs ago when I only had 60-some thousand miles. I remember during that 3k miles that my truck used almost 1 qt, I know that doesn't sound like a lot to you, but on a truck that still doesn't use any oil in 3k miles, that was a lot.

I've never used a 15w-40 in my Isuzu engine, and I'm not sure how much that would effect performance, but it can't hurt to try. Just wait til the night temps are above 30F personally, that's a pretty thick base to get to the top of the engine on a cold morning.

Hi

Just wondering if you are using too thin an oil. Outback Auxtralia here we use 20/60....which I guess you wouldn't use in a US / Canadian winter...

Hi

Just wondering if you are using too thin an oil. Outback Auxtralia here we use 20/60....which I guess you wouldn't use in a US / Canadian winter...

You can go thicker. My 2002 3.2L manual specs anything from 5w-30 to 20w-50 is okay based on your ambient temps. It says temps 10degF and above are ok for the 40 and 50wt's.

Joel

43k on it and you did all this stuff to it ..

why the sea foam ?

why 10w-30 synthetic ? then a jump to Mobil 1 Truck and Suv 5W40 ?


why did you not just use 5w-30 ?


might as well have a shop do a compression test to see where your at ( or do it yourself but that may not be a good idea :D )

where is the PCV and EGR located on a 93 3.2 SOHC trooper??i need to replace mine but have no ides where it is..


PCV: UNDER HOOD, CENTER, UPPER ENGINE AREA, TOP OF ENGINE,
MOUNTED IN DRIVER SIDE OF FRONT VALVE COVER

not sure on your egr location..

43k on it and you did all this stuff to it ..

why the sea foam ?

why 10w-30 synthetic ? then a jump to Mobil 1 Truck and Suv 5W40 ?


why did you not just use 5w-30 ?


might as well have a shop do a compression test to see where your at ( or do it yourself but that may not be a good idea :D )

I used the Seafoam because my oil would get dark very quick. From what I understand, the Trooper is a "sludger" and I was trying to eliminate some of the build up. I followed some of the guys recommnedations and only ran it in the motor for a short while.

I decided to make the switch to synthetic, because I thought it be better for the engine. However, it appears that my Trooper might not like synthetic oils (or at least Mobil 1 stuff).

Thanks for all the replies...I am still not 100% clear on what the problem is. Again, looking back, the only big changes I made was the switch to Synthetic, the addition of Seafoam and the new PCV.

The PCV is working correctly...the Seafoam was only ran in the vehicle for a few miles...so that leaves me with the oil type. I thinking about going back to regular dino oil. I never had a consumption problem before, so I figured I'd go back to dino for the next few changes to see if the problem continues...What do you guys think? Will I have any other problems if I switch from synthetic to regular dino?

...What do you guys think? Will I have any other problems if I switch from synthetic to regular dino?

You will be 100% fine. Go with a 10w-30 and a good filter & see how she goes. I personally like napa or carquest premium filters (WIX filters).

Joel

Are you sure that you're burning oil and not leaking it? I would check around the valve cover and rear main seal (where engine joins the tranny) for seepage. While synthetic oils are wonderful (higher lubricity, lower pour point, higher flash point and greater film strength) they also tend to be better detergents than petroleum oils. This is fine on low mileage motors but on high mileage motors it can cause trouble. There can be false seals (where sludge has built up inside the motor where there would otherwise be a gasket leak) in older engines and synthetics can erode these.

If you are burning oil you should check for blue smoke on startup (cold or after sitting for more than 10 minutes) to suspect valve seals or, as previously suggested, have a compression test done.

In North America, you should probably be using a 5w- in winter and a 10w-40 or 20w-50 in summer.

Good luck

This may be a stupid question but here goes, my last oil change was done with castrol 10-30. If I need to add oil before the next oil change-I'm sure I will, do I need to use castrol or will any basic 10-30 work?

You can top up with any brand. In fact, on an oil burner, you'd be better off topping up with a heavy-duty/fleet/truck 15w-40, and running that wt all the time in warmer weather.
G/luck
Joel