Oil Burning Problems? 2001 Rodeo

If you have had problems with oil consumption, read:

I am the owner of a 2001 LE Rodeo Automatic 4wd, I just bought this vehicle used, it seems to consume oil like crazy. 64k miles, and i just changed the oil on her, and got 2 quarts out of the pan. This means it burned 3 quarts because the dealer claims they changed it and put in 5 quarts. I do have an extended warantee however, it wont be covered if this is "normal". At this point, it is not a leak, its either a piston in the block, at the very least, a rear gasket problem. Either way, i want to know.... who here has had problems with thier rodeo consuming massive amounts of oil between oil changes... state your mileage as well please.

It's a common problem with 3.2 rodeos , you can find a lot of threads here about it. As per dealer specs it is normal for them engines to consume a 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles . I have the same problem with mine 99" 90k on it. What i've found out it's the design problem in pistons ,simply not enoug drainage holes in them for oil to be draine back to crank case.Over time and milage even them holes are getting cloged with the carbon build up, making the problem more severe.Watch the oil like a hawk.
To reduce oil consumption u can flush your engine this will help.In my case did . What i do is i'm adding a quart of transimssin fluid to the oil before every second oil change and let the truck idle for a 20 min,then drain everything ,change an oil filter, refill engine with new oil.Transmission fluid contents some chemicals which disolves the carbon build up.
Since i've start doing this my oil consumption is very minimal almost equals to nothing.
hope this info might help you .Good luck

I stopped my oil burning problem by switching from 5w-30 synthetic to 5w-50 synthetic. After 2000 miles I haven't burn a drop. The only thing I noticed or imagined is that my Rodeo seemed sluggish. So I changed the oil filter to the Napa Nascar spin flow filter(faster flowing and made by Wix), which allowed me to put in some 5w-20 syn in. I love the way the Rodeo runs now.
So maybe the answer is to use 5w-40 or put 3 litres of 5w30 and 2 litres of 5w50.
PS the 5w50 bottle stated that it exceeded the SH oil class level and up.

John

If it were mine, i.e. seems that the 3.2L dohc engines have more oil burning issues then the 3.2L sohc (the one I have) - I would be using 5w-40 Rotella synthetic (group III oil actually) in the winter and Delo 400 15w-40 in the summer (to cut down on cost).

Otherwise, run 5w-40 year round.

Johnsm - it's not all in your head, I too noticed a bit of sluggishness in my engine with the 5w-40 Rotella. But, the funny thing is, is I didn't notice ANY sluggishness with it until I had my timing belt changed out - after the new belt was put on, I could really feel the sluggishness.

... I too noticed a bit of sluggishness in my engine with the 5w-40 Rotella.Ditto here (except I ran Mobil1 T&S 5W40). I actually used the 5W40 for two oil changes and then switched back to Mobil1 T&S 5W30. My oil consumption went from ~1 qt. every 1000 mi. to less than a half a qt. in 3000 mi.:grinno:

'98 3.2L V6 w/ 146,000 miles..... I use Castrol/Penzoil (whatever is cheapest @ Advance) 20W-50 w/ Purolator filter. Have had great luck..... I do live in Florida though so if you look at the ambient heat tables the 20W-50 applies very well to me. :2cents:

-Scott

Nothing wrong with 20w-50 in Florida; these engines spec anything from 5w-30 to 20w-50.

Just don't drive North in the winter and then park overnight :uhoh: :nono:

I used to use 10w-40 when I lived in the desert, should have actually used 15w-40 instead (higher quality base); now that I live in Colorado, this summer I'm running 1.5 qt 5w-20 with 4 qt 15w-40 Motorcraft have for sure 5k miles this round - being dumped this weekend.

Last winter, couple REALLY REALLY cold artic fronts came through and I had been running 5w-30 thankfully; pretty sure I'll do the same this year.

Hehe, yeah the wife ('99 Honda Accord 4cyl VTEC) uses 5W-30. The Hondas love the lighter oils.... I always tease her because her car is alot harder to change than mine is. (Oil filter is on the backside of the engine over the exhaust, drips on the exhaust and you feel like a burglar dodging alarm laser to keep from getting burnt up!) The Rodeo, however, stays here in Tampa all year round, that is why I run 20w-50 as the stop and go traffic on a HOT HOT day always makes me feel better and I think I can tell a difference. (Engine always stays as smooth as silk, idles perfect, even on when ambient on the road hits over 130+). I have a laser thermometer from Harbor Freight. Decently accurate at 4-6 feet, and I've recorded some high road temps being board on the way home!!!!!! :sunglasse

-Scott