Mystery Oil Loss 2000 3.5L

[Renegade2k]

I have a 2000 Intrigue 3.5L 155,000 Mi
Oil use has been about 1 QT at 3000 miles since 120,000 miles.
Before that I wasn't keeping track.

The valve covers were leaking pretty bad and could be smelled burning off.
I replaced them along with my P/S pump. There also was fluid in the engine valley that I believe was P/S Fluid..

I changed the oil and I was 1.5 Qt low at 2,000 miles. So it is suddenly WORSE. Even though I replaced the leaking valve covers. There is also currently not fluid in the engine valley. I park in the same place every night and do not notice a puddle. Also there is no noticeable blue smoke from the exhaust. Just a little white as it is winter.


I am looking for where else the oil could be going that it doesn't leave a puddle on the ground.

[Steelwheel]

Originally Posted by Renegade2k

I have a 2000 Intrigue 3.5L 155,000 Mi
Oil use has been about 1 QT at 3000 miles since 120,000 miles.
Before that I wasn't keeping track.

The valve covers were leaking pretty bad and could be smelled burning off.
I replaced them along with my P/S pump. There also was fluid in the engine valley that I believe was P/S Fluid..

I changed the oil and I was 1.5 Qt low at 2,000 miles. So it is suddenly WORSE. Even though I replaced the leaking valve covers. There is also currently not fluid in the engine valley. I park in the same place every night and do not notice a puddle. Also there is no noticeable blue smoke from the exhaust. Just a little white as it is winter.


I am looking for where else the oil could be going that it doesn't leave a puddle on the ground.

This appears to be a very common problem with these 3.5L's. I have one, and it burns similar. Doesn't seem to get worse, but burns 2-3 quarts every 2,000 miles or so. From some sources, I have heard it somehow burns it very cleanly during normal operation, hence no smoke.

Unless it starts burning more than normal, or it is obviously leaking out from some part of the engine, I wouldn't worry about it.

According to this thread, filling it slightly low works for some people. Have no clue how that would be. http://www.oldsmobileforums.com/foru...ead.php?t=2653