Oil Consumption in Town&Country

[superduty5.9]

Hey guys, I got this 2007 T&C 3.8L. I've had it about a year. It never used a drop of oil then I changed the oil and now it's going somewhere. It has 103,000 on it now and runs good. No leaks and don't see any smoke out the tailpipe even at start up. It calls for 5w20 oil and I have a bunch of Pennzoil 10w30 so I used that. Do you think a change in brand and grade would cause this. Last week I was putting in some washer fluid and thought what the heck I'll check the oil (never used any before). It didn't have any on the dipstick. It took between 2-3 quarts to get back to full. It gets driven daily by my wife but only to take our daughter to school. Not many miles at all. Last weekend we took a trip to WI around 1000 mils RT and it used another quart.

What do you think?

[maddog784]

Is the oil milky when you checked it? If it is, check your antifreeze. If it's low too, you may have a blown head gasket or a leaking water pump. Also check both main seals, as you may be losing it there - it may be difficult to see if it's the transmission side of the engine. I hate oil leaks, especially having to chase them. I feel your pain. Best of luck, keep up posted.

[superduty5.9]

Originally Posted by maddog784

Is the oil milky when you checked it? If it is, check your antifreeze. If it's low too, you may have a blown head gasket or a leaking water pump. Also check both main seals, as you may be losing it there - it may be difficult to see if it's the transmission side of the engine. I hate oil leaks, especially having to chase them. I feel your pain. Best of luck, keep up posted.

Not milky at all just dark right now. Need to change again. Coolant is always right on full. I've been under there a few times now and do not see any leaks. I even put down some cardboard and not a drop.

I realize it has to go somewhere but I'm stumped. Thanks!

[_DX3_]

If the oil weight is the only variable of change to this sudden consumption then I would think the oil weight is not working. I would go with what is recommended.

[CADplans]

Where do you hide the extra key!!??

Maybe the neighbor is drag racing at night!!??



I would look for a new oil leak.

A valve cover etc...

My nephew had a Chevy V-8 that never smoked, but used lots of oil.

It was blowing it out the exhaust in droplets!!

We only found it out because I held a cardboard box over the exhaust and had him rev it up.

The exhaust painted the box with oil, but, no smoke!!

[green 4 acres]

place some card board under it when you park it ,if minimal leakage ,you are burning oil . Whats it do when starting completely cold ,have someone else start it so you can watch the pipe . likely it will have oil smoke for 3 seconds then seem to clear up completely this is the catalitic converter burning it up ,don't beleive it, pull the pipe before the converter
My 97 3.9 160 k dakota I got cheap , went through a QT in 150 miles but no smoke ,I pulled it and reringed ,valve seals burns about a qt per 1000 now maybe better after the rings break in
the oil ring slots and holes in the piston are plugged most likely, but check the air filter and pvc V too

[TheIHMan]

We have the exact same van and at about 90,000mi it started using oil the same yours is. The oil, and antifreeze were both good and we couldn't figure it out so we just kept an eye on it. It did that for about 3,000-5,000mi and then it quit using oil. We haven't had a problem with it since. Just one of those things you have to keep an eye on

[brucer95]

I had the same van only a Dodge, did the same thing. I was using valvoline synthetic 5w20, so I switched back to conventional and it didnt help. I just had to keep an eye on it, eventually traded it in. No more mopars for me thanks!