Excessive oil consumption '00

[serge_saati]

*EDIT* I made a mistake, the DPFE or any other EGR components are not the culprit.
Since the the test of the EGR regulator is performed AFTER the EGR system test is complete and successful.
So the problem is really related to regulator or wiring.

Just test resistance of regulator (30-70 ohm) and voltage at connector when ON (12V).

[Dekeman]

Just uploaded a pic of the plug that I removed to check. Check it out here: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...01767595JwrzeS and let me know how it looks to you. There's some ashy deposits on the spark end, and a small burn mark on the insulator. Not sure when these were last changed.

[serge_saati]

Yes, there's oil deposit and ash deposit caused by oil burning. It could be caused by lower intake gasket damage. Since there's a lot of oil that flow near these gasket. It's an internal gasket leak. Oil can leak to outside and/or inside depending of which portion of gasket is damaged. And can leak to antifreeze as well.

I also recommend you to use synthetic oil in your next oil change, it's better for the engine.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by serge_saati

Yes, there's oil deposit and ash deposit caused by oil burning. It could be caused by lower intake gasket damage. Since there's a lot of oil that flow near these gasket. It's an internal gasket leak. Oil can leak to outside and/or inside depending of which portion of gasket is damaged. And can leak to antifreeze as well.

I also recommend you to use synthetic oil in your next oil change, it's better for the engine.

I've taken a couple of pics from under the vehicle while it was on ramps. The top of the photo is the driver's side of the vehicle (I was under it with my head toward the left of the van). They show oil leakage out of what I suspect to be the lower intake gasket. Please take a look and tell me what you think.

I've typically used the Motorcraft 5W-20, an excellent synthetic blend. I switched to 5W-30 a year ago on my previous '03 to cure the clanging and rattling in the valve train, and it worked well so I've stuck with it on this '00 van (which was the OEM recommendation before they changed their minds to 5W-20). I've used High Mileage oil recently, Pennzoil before and Valvoline Max Life on this change. Also took a sample to send to Blackstone Labs. We'll see what they say.

This picture shows a leak from the EGR valve (I think?)




This pic shows the source of the leak down the pipe at the top (EGR?). Also shows
leakage onto the block.




This last one is a little darker but the contrast gives you a better idea of what's soaked with oil from inside the engine.



Let me know what you think.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by serge_saati

*EDIT* I made a mistake, the DPFE or any other EGR components are not the culprit.
Since the the test of the EGR regulator is performed AFTER the EGR system test is complete and successful.
So the problem is really related to regulator or wiring.

Just test resistance of regulator (30-70 ohm) and voltage at connector when ON (12V).

Thanks Serge. I'm gonna have to figure out how to do these tests. I still think it's that old style DPFE. That'd be too easy though.

[serge_saati]

EGR valve is bolted just on the left of the lower intake manifold.
If there's a leak from the small left side gasket seal, oil will wet the valve. Oil doesn't leak from the valve, there's no oil in EGR valve tube.
We see also oil in engine block, just below the head. It definitively seems to come from the same source.
I'm surprise too see that much quantity of oil. Both lower manifold gasket and lower manifold gasket side seal seem to be damaged. We don't see the side gasket in your pics (close to EGR), but it looks to be problem.

[schadd1971]

so is it possible that the oil consumption is the lower intake gaskets....???the oil fouled plugs..and oil in coolant tank all intake gasket problems...am anxious to know....schadd1971

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by schadd1971

so is it possible that the oil consumption is the lower intake gaskets....???the oil fouled plugs..and oil in coolant tank all intake gasket problems...am anxious to know....schadd1971

-Yes, oil fouled plugs can be caused by intake or head gasket. It can also be caused by bad oil piston rings, valve stem guide or seal, worn cylinder wall or piston (will cause noise), plugged PCV valve.

Does your engine is smoking from tail pipe? Do you have the oil pressure light? It's making any abnormal sound (hope not).

Well, first be sure to not confound oil fouled plugs and carbon fouled plugs.

-Also check for an oil leak on the engine. If your engine is wet by oil like in the pics of Dekeman, you could also have problems with intake gaskets and seal, head gasket or if it's upper, with the valve cover gaskets.

If you have also oil in the coolant tank, yes it could be the intake gasket, head gasket, or sometime the timing cover gasket.
Don't confuse dirty collant and oiled coolant.

So the common causes of your symptoms are head or intake gaskets.

[schadd1971]

finally nailed the oil consumption problem...LOWER INTAKE GASKETS... this was puzzling ,,but as I removed the bolts they had coolant/oil around them...looked like a slime and I suspect it was sucking oil from the cam/push rod area...now no oil usage and cleaner oil....also put a oil catch can to clean up the pcv oil slop mess in the intake to reduce carbon build up on the pistons....purrs like a kitten and gas mileage went back up......finally..

[schadd1971]

update.....oil usage has been zero after several weeks of driving after replacing lower intake manifold....

[so2315]

I had the same problem. My 2000 was fine and had a very slight leak. Changed oil then went on a 1000 mile trip. Got back home and the whole bottom of the van was wet with oil. Lower intake gaskets let loose and lost 1.5 quarts. Changed all the intake gaskets and it is bone dry. You could see where it was leaking onto the transmission housing and also leaking by the water pump. There was oil everywhere. These were replaced under warranty around 55K miles by the dealer. I now have 176K on it. Another symptom I had was some occasional rough idling and spitting and sputtering. If it leaks oil it is also leaking air and the van was not getting the fuel mixture right. It runs better now than it ever has.