After you change the oil, check it cold the next morning. Exactly where is the oil on the stick? When I do mine, a 6 quart oil change brings it up to somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of the way up the crosshatches. It takes about 3000 miles to go down to the add mark. If I add a quart, it then takes about 6000 miles to get back down to the add mark. Then I change the oil. Yes, I run my oil close to 10k miles, I use a premium synthetic with a dual element oil filter.

 

When I change my oil and add the 6 quarts, I check it several hours later and it's about 1/8" below the "full" mark. Right now, it's only covering about 1/8" of the tip of the stick.

Also, I just checked the PCV, and it rattles quite easily and freely. There is a good amount of fresh, oily residue on the bottom of it, and I don't know how normal that is. However, I don't think the PCV can be bad as easily as the ball moves on the inside.

 

So if oil up to the "min" mark means I have 5 quarts, at the level it's at currently I'd say I have about 4 quarts. That sounds right to me too because even though I don't check how much oil drains out the past few oil changes, if I had to guess I'd say there's about 4 quarts that drains out. I'll be sure and check it when I change the oil this evening or tomorrow evening.

 

I have heard that you should change the pcv every other oil change. If you cant find any ol where it don't belong then your burning it.

 

If you are blowing through a whole quart in 2500 miles, that's still within specs but it means you have something leaking or blowing by slightly.

 

I'm a lucky truck owner.
1998 F150, 4x4, 5.4 V8, 140,000 miles
Uses no oil between changes. 5000 miles

 

How many miles on it? If it's a '98, I'm guessing pretty high mileage and it sounds like you're adding (or should be adding) 1-2 quarts between oil changes. Perfectly normal---no worries, mate--motor on. Used to have an old LandCruiser with 210,000 on it and a leaking rear main seal--I'd pull into the service station (when they were still around) and tell 'em to check the gas and fill up the oil. LOVED that vehicle, though. Toughest sonofagun I ever owned.

 

Just because it shakes does not mean it is good. If it is not sealing when it should you will get oil going past it. For less than 5 buck I would just replace it.

 

Who told you that? Musta been a guy who sold PCV valves. LOL I have done my own work all my life and have rarely changed a PCV valve. I figure if it's pretty clean looking inside and "rattles", it's good to go. It's your money, do with it what you wish but to say that is excessive is putting it mildly.

 

If you are using aftermarket PCV valves, they could be going bad. I've heard of problems with Fram.

 

Poor Fram! First, their filters, now this! How do they stay in business?

 

If any of you guys wanna try Amsoil its a dream. I'm a dealer so if you are interested give me an e mail at gregoryb89@verizon.net. I run it in my truck and i have no oil consumption. I have a 2000 f150 that's been through hell and back and still runs like new. I used to add a quart every 2000 miles. Switched to the Amsoil and not I have none. Its because it doesn't burn like you regular conventional oil and resists temperature a lot better than other oils. I run a 0W-30 in my truck and always will until the day she dies. Not to mention it saves you money in gas and oil changes because of the extended drain periods. I love the stuff and run it in my truck and my v rod. Ive tried everything and this is what I'm sticking too.

 

I'm a believer in Amsoil too, and used to be a dealer, but I'd advise you to back off just a bit before the flames start erupting. Amsoil is not the only product out there and is not the answer to everything. If you were a bit more low key, you might get some business here.

 

Ditto.

 

I read something about someone switching to 0w30 and it working nicely, how does this decrease oil consumption? Someone else also mentioned 5w40 having good results.