99gtstang

I did the first oil change at 4K with Ford filter and lube. Now I have 10K and have added almost 1 qt. Is that normal? Added half qt in last 3000 miles.

I plan to change soon since the indicator reflects about 38% left. I am going with OE filter and RP.

Plan to get a separator, but it won't save that much oil.

Nuke

If you're having to add oil, I'm not sure I'd go with a synthetic at this time. I'd continue to use a blend until you determine if the fluid loss isn't decreasiing. Ford will tell you that's normal but I've had more cars than people have toes and only one used oil and that was after 200,000 miles.

I'll assume it's not a leak. Are you doing a lot of short distance driving (less than 10 miles one way)?

moosestang

My wifes Chrysler uses 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles, so stop bitchin! Chrysler considers 1 quart every 1,000 miles to be acceptable!

Don't buy any Chrysler/dodge product with the 3.5L v6, because it is a POS of an engine.

So almost a 1.5 quarts in 6,000 miles? That could all be going through your pcv valve depending on how it was driven.

99gtstang

Interesting - why would you wait on the synthetic oil? Other than figure out the consumption. Maybe I should research more about semi-full before swapping.

No leaks

1 to 2 a day max <10 miles.

99gtstang

Don't buy any Chrysler/dodge product with the 3.5L v6, because it is a POS of an engine. <- Quit bitching - HAHA


I need to invest in a catch can right away and keep a close eye on the consumption.

My wife, my insurance agent will never allow a dodge product in our household. They total out to easy upon impact and minor damage generally will cost more to repair.

P Zero

When breaking an engine in, it's best to use regular oil.
Run dino oil for the first 1k miles. Ideally though, you'd do this:
oil change @ 100 miles. then 500 miles, then 1k miles. (changing filters with each oil change.)

This insures that all of the metal shavings get out of the system and that all of the parts have broken in properly.

It's not a good idea to use synthetic for the break in period because it's too slippery.

99gtstang

Makes enough sense! I will run another round of semi before the switch and keep a close eye on the consumption.

Thanks for all the replies.

Nuke

Those less-than-10-miles-per-trip are a killer on an engine. It's possible that after shutting the engine off before everything has properly expanded that the engine is bypassing some oil and blowing it out the next startup and since each of your startups are short distance...

99gtstang

I'll start driving her car

Lunch for work is a daily short trip, but yesterday I made 2 <6 miles trips to get breakfast then dinner.

Thanks for the input. I am going to tightening down a little on my short trips.

moosestang

Try using 5w30 next time, assuming you are using 5w20. I still think 5w20 is too thin for these high strung 5.0's.

I just put rotella T 10w30 in the wifes car. I will probably try a 15w40 diesel after that if it doesn't slow down the consumption.

Her car has over 70k miles, but that still unacceptable to me.