I changed the oil in my car. About 6k miles since the last oil change. Basically, very low on oil (so burning about 6 qts over 6K miles or 1 qt per 1000 miles). No signs of leaks so the suspicion is just burning oil that slips past the rings.

Shop recommended and put in RF7. Not sure if it'll help - we'll see at the next oil change (I'll dip stick after about 3k miles).

Question: let's say the oil is being burned and the rings are getting dirty / bad. Is this going to progressively and quickly get worse? Am I facing acute engine failure?

Or if the RF7 works, will the engine still run for another 25k-50k miles (I have 160K on the car now).

I've been planning / hoping for another 25k miles or more. I'm wondering if I need to be saving more aggressively in anticipation of buying a car w/in the next 10-15k miles (2-3 years vs the 5+ years I've been planning). That means no vacations, etc.

Hard to say how long it will last at this point but running a engine low on oil is never a good idea. If it is burning a qt in a 1K miles why would you wait till it is 3qt low at 3k miles to check it? 3qt low is a bunch. I would check it every 1K and add if needed to keep the oil level topped off. This will give you the best chance to have the engine last a little longer. The less oil there is in the oil slump (pan) from full the shorter the life of the engine oil.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
Hard to say how long it will last at this point but running a engine low on oil is never a good idea. If it is burning a qt in a 1K miles why would you wait till it is 3qt low at 3k miles to check it? 3qt low is a bunch. I would check it every 1K and add if needed to keep the oil level topped off. This will give you the best chance to have the engine last a little longer. The less oil there is in the oil slump (pan) from full the shorter the life of the engine oil.

THIS, check and add oil once a month.


Usually an engine burning that much oil will consistently stay that way for many miles (unless something is coming apart). Up until early 2000's or newer, on most cars, I would say that amount of consumption is pretty normal.

I would not worry too much about another 25,000 miles.
The reason I say that is I bought a new Dodge Challenger RT back in 1970. It came with a "FREE" cracked oil pump from factory. I also had several other issues when I picked up the car.

I drove it 20 miles with zero oil pressure after calling dealer and informing him about said oil pressure. He said 5 yr/50K mile warranty.
After they changed the oil pump, I got 300miles per Qt. of oil. That was A Okay with Dodge and they would not do anything with engine with 2,000 miles on car.

The car ran for 50,000 miles before major problems.
So, in your case it may last as long and maybe not, but that is what happened to my first and last new Dodge/Chrysler product.

Check that oil every 1000 miles ! Doesn't cost you anything.....add oil as needed.

I don't know anything about RF7 but I'm skeptical about any kind of "snake oil"..

If you really want to squeeze as many miles as possible out of that engine....don't let it run low. Oil is used not only for lubrication but it also helps dissipate heat. Friction and heat are your enemies !

quote:

RF7

?

Thanks guys. Yea - I'll check the oil more often.

Hoping that the RF7 helps and that the engine will hold for another 5 years / 25k miles. That will give me time to save for another car.

Maybe this can help. God Bless !!!

FWIW 1qt/1K is considered completely normal by just about every manufacturer. Most (Subaru and BMW for example from personal experience) will not consider 1qt/750 miles a warranty issue.
You need to check your oil and learn what your car uses. Then plan accordingly to not end up low. 1qt/1k is not a durability issue. 3qts low on most modern small engines is bordering on a serious issue.

Thanks - I'll monitor the oil level more carefully now. I need this car to last a little longer.

how much smoke are you seeing at startup and/or driving? if not noticeable, you likely don't have ring or valve problems.

You didn't mention model, mileage, etc so its really hard to give a suggestion.
1qt/1k mi is a lot of blow-by for rings or valves. You should be seeing other issues. I would bet it's more likely that the oil is going into the combustion chamber because of something else (sludge, breather, etc).

Does your car emit smoke when the engine is running? At startup? While driving/accelerating?
The reason I ask is...our '12 Maxima began burning oil at startup (primarily) and any time we went on the interstate for any distance.
After much chasing/diagnosing/trying of things...turns out one valve cover gasket had a leak in it. It was bringing in air from the outside and forcing the oil/air mix through the PCV valve, into the engine.
A change of valve cover gaskets did the trick, sealed it right back up.
Good luck with your car, regardless.

Sometimes a heavier weight of oil helps.

konata,
What kind of vehicle is this?
Didn't you buy a Lexus GX470 SUV, like the 4Runner, last year?

If you keep letting your oil drop that low you’re going to spin a rod bearing and ruin your engine.

Does your engine have cylinder deactivation. Several manufacturers have a system that works but it eats oil instead of gas. They can be shut off with a tuner.

Your amount of oil loss is excessive though

Develop the habit of checking the oil every time you put gas in it. I drove a 59 Chevrolet pickup for 20+ years using that program.

This is a 2000 GS300. Still otherwise running well.

Seemed a little more peppy today....