Oil Consumption

[BluesCruiser]

I am at 14,000Km and have no noticeable oil consumption problem. I think the dealer is full of it. Try another dealer and go to DC Rep.

Any thoughts on this one? My PT hadn't used a drop of oil for 2500 miles then it appears the last 600 or so it has used 1/4 quart. No smoking, or leaks, and seems to be running fine. I am 800 miles shy of a 3000 mile oil change. I plan on changing to Mobil 1 this next oil change, at 4000 miles. My guess is the oil is beginning to break down and starting to burn? Who knows. :/

[PTCruisingPA]

Still driving in the break-in mode, but I can tell you that the synthetics have experienced MUCH better life and performance in these engines. The Mobil 1, and the Bel-Ray synthetics are good. The Castrol has not done well. Still awaiting the results from the Quaker State entry.

I had my PT in to the dealer today for an oil change and to voice my concern about the oil consumption of approx. 1 qt per 1000 miles. I also mentioned the baffle problem and they didn't know anything about it after checking into it. They did come back and say that using a quart of oil every 1000-1500 miles is "normal".... Sorry, I don't buy that! If this car uses that much oil they should of listed it on the sticker along side the mpg as oil consumption and cost of it. They are now going to have me come back in every time it is down a quart to document and top off the oil. There must be a better way or someone should know something. Oh well, I hope the dealer knows what they are doing.

[Natoforces]

I don't believe 1/2 quart to 1 quart every 1,000 miles is normal at all. I have owned many cars an not a one has experienced even close to the oil consumption that our PT's are experiencing. There seems to be the few of us who are using an unreasonable amount of oil and others that are OK. There does not seem to be any middle ground.

Two weeks ago I removed the intake manifold and found oil in the intake runners, further evidence that there is a baffle problem. The only way the oil can get in there is through the PCV, hence a probable oil baffle problem.

In any case, this amount of oil consumption is unacceptable, regardless of Chrysler sloppy spec. I am at the end of my oil consumption test (1,000 miles) and I am at about 1/4 full. That's about 3/4 of a quart in 1,000 miles. I am taking it in to my dealer on Friday and will push to replace the valve cover.

[quote]cruzin (11 May, 2001 10:32 a.m.):
I've got approximately 15,000 on my 5 speed Inferno red which I picked up 10/4/01. I'm also using approximately 1/2 to 1 quart about every 1,000 miles. I've mentioned to my service guy and he said that's normal. When I take it in next week I'll ask about the Oil baffel problem. I do not see any leaks on the ground - I'll try the suggestion of starting the car up and having here.

[Natoforces]

Just completed my 1,000 "oil consumption test". It used about 7/8 of a quart; started at the "full" mark and was about 1/8" over the "add" mark when I brought it to the dealer this morning. He told me it was "full" when I brought it in today. I guess his idea of full is anything within the acceptable "range".

Since it is within Chrysler's generous spec, the dealer would not do anything. I know I have a baffle problem as it is pulling oil into the intake. I removed the upper intake manifold a couple of weeks ago and they are all covered with oil. You can even see it around where the crankcase ventilation hose attaches to the PCV valve. The dealer would still not do anything.

I hope you had better luck. How did your situation end up?

cruzin (11 May, 2001 10:32 a.m.):
I've got approximately 15,000 on my 5 speed Inferno red which I picked up 10/4/01. I'm also using approximately 1/2 to 1 quart about every 1,000 miles. I've mentioned to my service guy and he said that's normal. When I take it in next week I'll ask about the Oil baffel problem. I do not see any leaks on the ground - I'll try the suggestion of starting the car up and having someone watch the tail pipe.

I know that most people are surprised by this number, but industry's standard is as little as 700-800 miles/quart. While it might not be a "real" problem, I certainly would not be happy with it… But good luck convincing the dealer to do anything about it.

As a point of reference, my PT needed a quart of Mobil 1 at 4k miles. But then again, I get only 21-22 mpg, while some people get as much as 29-31mpg out of their 5sp cars…

[PTmac]

Just did the first oil change at 2,000 miles. It did not appear that any oil was used.

How often have you heard that phrase "this is normal for this car"? or "we've never heard of this problem before"? It seems to me that happens just about every time I've had a service problem and these are the stock answers I get. In my opinion, if a dealer can in anyway avoid having to put out some "free" labor, then he sees himself as being "ahead of the game". Yet, they are so concerned about getting a positive responce on the questionaire they send out after your trip to the dealer for service. Regarding oil consumption, I think that honestly it can vary from car to car and may indeed depend on driving conditions as in how hot it was, how long the motor was run in a given day and at what speeds as in "severe driving conditions" Regardless, DC should certainly have a better answer than this. A motor like this which is certainly NOT a high performance motor would not be set up with looser tolerances and in no way should 1 qt. oil consumption/1,000 miles be considered acceptable!