92 PA oil issue

[josh8966]

Hello all,
I have a 92 with 44,000 miles on it, with a clean and well running engine. I have noticed that its been using oil alot faster then my old lesabre. In the last 3 weeks its dropped 2 quarts. Ive heard that it might be a bad PCV valve. Ive looked for leaks and theres been no puddles and no obvious leaks.

Any ideas what could be causing the oil loss?

Thanks,
Josh

[HotZ28]

Typically, the "elderly owned" low mileage engines, use more oil than others. It has to do with how the vehicle was driven the first 1500 miles. Driving a new vehicle (engine) at a constant speed and low rpm will never seat the rings to the cylinder bores. The procedure recommended, is to constantly vary vehicle speeds and engine rpm, to allow the rings to expand & contract. If this break-in procedure is not followed, over time and with increased engine mileage, the ring tension will “relax” and never seat properly. BTW, how many miles did you drive before adding 2-qts?

[josh8966]

hmmm, interesting. So I take it that just adding new oil to it as it burns off is the only real solution (except for rebuilding the engine?) I bought it at 40,000 about 2 months ago. I drove about 2,500 miles before I noticed it was down almost 3 qts. I topped it off and drove another 700-1000 miles and now its down the 2 qts.

So will replacing the PCV valve do anything benifical?

thanks,
Josh

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by josh8966

So will replacing the PCV valve do anything benifical?

I really don't think the PCV has anything to do with your oil consumption problem. If you want, you could remove the PCV and shake it, if you can here it rattle while shaking, it would not do any good to replace it. I would look for oil on sale and just keep plenty available for when you need it. BTW, was this an elderly owned vehicle?

[Jrs3800]

Are you sure this car is not leaking oil... Such as through the Oil pressure sending unit or possibly the rear main seal... Its extremely rare that you will ever see any 3800 use that much oil..

My 91 Bonneville 3800( same bottom end as the L27 ) was owned by a retired couple before I bought it... To this day it still doesn't burn any oil... A buddy has a 92 Park Avenue with 195,000 Miles on it and it burns nothing for oil either..

Its hard to say what may cause the oil consumption issue... But I would look for leaks, also go ahead and replace the PCV valve and see what this gets you..