OIl Consumption

[bronzebird]

I searched the threads to find some discussion on this topic but came up empty.

I recently took a golf trip to Orlando and returned home most of the way on I-75 since I was a bit overdue to get home. I teamed up with a 911 Porsche that was tagging behind a northbound Georgia State Trooper just north of Valdosta, Georgia and we averaged somewhere between 90-95 mph until we lost the trooper just south of Atlanta. The trooper acknowledged our presence but seemed more interested in reaching his destination rather than our speed.

When I stopped for gas, I checked the oil and was surprised to find it down a quart. I change every 4,000 miles and use synthetic and had about 2,500 miles on the car since the last change. I always check the oil level after a change so I know it was at the full level at that time.

I've never used this much oil previously and since a visual check shows no leaks or oil patches covering the undercarriage, I have to assume it went up in smoke.

Has anyone else found this kind of oil consumption? My 2005 now has 45,000 miles on it.

Bronzebird

[5bird7]

Re: OIl Consumption

Haven't seen that kind of oil consumption. 02 has 91K miles and 05 has 42K miles. I wonder if the filter was on tight? or another leak someplace else? Any c.o.p. problems yet? as the ring gaskets at the bottom of the spark plug wells have been known to leak oil into the wells.

[Borla Babe]

Re: OIl Consumption

Any c.o.p. problems yet? as the ring gaskets at the bottom of the spark plug wells have been known to leak oil into the wells.

You got that right Dot....lol!

Good luck Rick in finding the problem, other than the COP problems, I've had no oil leaks with my 02. After witnessing your cars excellent performance at Pappasito's, it is doubtful you have a COP issue.....that is unless the COP's developed a problem in the last month. Have you noticed any vibration or loss of power?

[z06bigbird]

Re: OIl Consumption

None of my cars use or burn oil. Once in a while, when I make a high speed long trip, I too burn a quart. Perhaps once in 5 years or so. (I am referring to any car, not the Tbird.)

Nothing to worry about. I suspect a piston ring was a little lazy, and the oil got past it.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: OIl Consumption

You have 45,000. miles on a fairly new vehicle. You normally would cruise @ arround 2000 rpms. That's at 70mph. That's what your car is use to. Now, you proceed for a lengthy 90-95 mph run, which brings your rpm's up to the 3000-3200 range, for approx 100 miles. You heated the engine. Period. The Power-Stroke of the pistons most likely pushed oil, as noted above, due to the high sustained rpm rate and heat. I would check you coolant. Actually I would replace it! Remember the gauges on your dash, are only fancy idiot lights, that are wired thru the PCM. They are NOT directly attachd to the source. ie, Water Temp, Oil Pressure. You drove a heavy car, for a sustained period, at an rpm rate that is well above its normal use. This is not a spanking. Just an observation, that it is a collaberative of things that caused the oil usage. Sooooo, change the OIl and Filter, Flush the Cooling System, and check the air in the tires too.

It did sound like you had a Blast though!!!!!

[DavidA]

Re: OIl Consumption

I'll bet it wan't really topped up at the last oil change and it got absorbed in the oil filter. You should really check the oil after an oil change after you drive the car bit or make sure it all gets circulated before checking the level.

[Leroy]

Re: OIl Consumption

After a run like that you have to give the oil an chance to all drain back to the oil pan before you can get an accurate level reading. And if you've got oil leaking from a spark plug gasket, you've got a major problem with that cylinder and piston. Aluminum heads are famous for having loose or over tightened plugs blow right out of them too. Leroy

[5bird7]

Re: OIl Consumption

no reports of anyone having spark plug blowouts on these engines - just oil in the wells.

[Leroy]

Re: OIl Consumption

Oil or fuel leaking from a spark plug gasket would indicate a loose plug. A loose plug in a aluminum head could easilly blow out. Google ( spark plug blow outs ) and read all about it, there are a couple good articals about it from Consumer Affairs. Ford truck engines seem to be the worst offenders. And there has been some question as to if it's covered under warranty. My Son has a Super Duty Ford with the Triton V-10 engine and a year after his warranty had expired he blew a plug. Ford said it was cuased from over torquing the plug and they put it in but wouldn't cover the repair. It cost my Son $3500.00. Leroy

[VABird05]

Re: OIl Consumption

I once lost the oil too quickly and discovered it was evaporating from an improper fitting cap. The dealer replaced the cap at no cost and resolved the problem. It was also suggested to me at the time to add a cushion inside the cap to make it fit tighter, but that wasn't necessary once I got the new cap.

[bronzebird]

Re: OIl Consumption

Hey gang.... thanks for the responses.

I think that Dave and Ed are on the right track. I have experienced no loss of performance with the car and there appears to be no oil pooling around the plugs.

I replaced the coil packs on both number 7 and number 2 cylinders back at 25,000 and 40,000 miles respectively. (by the way how are the cylinders numbered.... where are #2 and #7 located??).

I think I will take the advice and drain and refill the coolant and maybe move up my next oil/filer change by about 1,000 miles.

By the way, the Valdosta/Atlanta run behind and beside the state trooper saw us hit speeds of 110-115 at times. The Porsche driver was a bit more aggressive than I was in staying close on his tail. At one point we blew by a local sheriff near Tifton and I backed down when my Passport went off. The sheriff didn't take after the Porsche, but I decided to wait until he turned off. I had to wind it up a bit to get the Porsche/Tropper train back in sight.

Fun trip!

Bronzebird

[Ray]

Re: OIl Consumption

When you get the oil changed, make sure they put 6.5 quarts back in. I've always had my oil changed at a Ford dealer, but I've still had to remind them a couple of times that the engine takes 6.5 quarts. Yours could have been short a half a quart to begin with.

[wtxbird]

Re: OIl Consumption

Oil or fuel leaking from a spark plug gasket would indicate a loose plug. A loose plug in a aluminum head could easilly blow out. Google ( spark plug blow outs ) and read all about it, there are a couple good articals about it from Consumer Affairs. Ford truck engines seem to be the worst offenders. And there has been some question as to if it's covered under warranty. My Son has a Super Duty Ford with the Triton V-10 engine and a year after his warranty had expired he blew a plug. Ford said it was cuased from over torquing the plug and they put it in but wouldn't cover the repair. It cost my Son $3500.00. Leroy

LeroyThats what happens when you dont torque spark plugs properly in any aluminum Head, I have seen it in Nissans, Chevys, Volkswagons, and the list can go on and on.But like Dot said this has not been a Thunderbird problem.

[MATBird]

Re: OIl Consumption

Hey gang.... thanks for the responses.

I think that Dave and Ed are on the right track. I have experienced no loss of performance with the car and there appears to be no oil pooling around the plugs.

I replaced the coil packs on both number 7 and number 2 cylinders back at 25,000 and 40,000 miles respectively. (by the way how are the cylinders numbered.... where are #2 and #7 located??).

I think I will take the advice and drain and refill the coolant and maybe move up my next oil/filer change by about 1,000 miles.

By the way, the Valdosta/Atlanta run behind and beside the state trooper saw us hit speeds of 110-115 at times. The Porsche driver was a bit more aggressive than I was in staying close on his tail. At one point we blew by a local sheriff near Tifton and I backed down when my Passport went off. The sheriff didn't take after the Porsche, but I decided to wait until he turned off. I had to wind it up a bit to get the Porsche/Tropper train back in sight.

Fun trip!

Bronzebird

Rick: Does this help? http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...linder+numbers

[04birdman]

Re: OIl Consumption

push a car hard thats not used to being pushed,under higher than normal oil pressure...and oil will find places it hasnt visited in a while....it can take some time for some of it to find the pan again...runnin good,no smoke from the tail pipe,no drips....top it off, keep an eye on the level...i bet the cars just fine....there seems to be alot of people on this site that jump to the worst case...at every issue.