Excessive oil consumption '97 EJ22

[GeneralDisorder]

Lucas is crap.

 

Personally, my opinion is that if it was meant to be in the oil then they would have included it in the additive package. Only OIL goes in my crankcase.

 

I will occasionally consider flushing an engine with ATF, but that's generally just a idle run up to temp, and then drain again. ATF is extremely high in detergents and will eat away a lot of deposits in abused engines. I have NEVER had to do this with properly maintained engines that have had regular oil changes.

 

My 94 EJ22 has 138k. Just hit 3,200 and I'm about to change the oil. Before I drove back from Reno to Portland on Friday (550 miles) I checked the oil and it hadn't used more than 1/4 of a quart if that.

 

It's all about proper maintenance. And I think the short trips are causing some serious engine deposits in Ed's case. Perhaps why the seafoam is making some difference.

 

Try a flush with ATF and get that seafoam out of there. Doesn't belong in your crankcase long term. Willy-nilly adding of additives change the properties of the oil - usually for the worse. You should see what Lucas does at high speeds . Talk about milkshake!

 

GD

[aartod]

does it matter what kind of ATF? It makes me kind of nervous to let my engine run with ATF in it! How well should I flush out my engine, if I try this, to get the ATF out? Or does it really matter all that much?

[Towel Rail]

Fun with Lucas: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

 

I've read that ATF doesn't contain as much detergent as it used to, so it doesn't clean quite as well. I might try some Auto-Rx next spring, just for kicks. It's gotten some rave reviews.

 

- Scott

[GeneralDisorder]

Doesn't really matter what kind. I usually stick with some name brand of Dexron....

 

Just run it up to temp (ten minutes or so), and then drain and fill with oil. Oil and ATF will mix fine so some residual ATF is alright. Change the oil again in about 500 miles as it will probably absorb a lot of crap knocked loose by the flush. It's not uncommon for the ATF to go in bright red and come out black....

 

Some folks will replace an entire quart of oil with ATF and just leave it in there to quiet noisy lifters in EA82's and other makes of engines. It's pretty common but I don't reccomend that personally. But I mention it to illustrate that using ATF is perfectly safe for flushing purposes.

 

I wouldn't tell you to do it if it wasn't safe either.....

 

GD

[GeneralDisorder]

Rislone, or MMO might be good alternatives if that's true about the ATF not containing lots of detergents anymore.... but I haven't heard that before so I'm not totally convinced.

 

GD

[Towel Rail]

I dunno for sure either, but if it works, it works.

[2.5GL]

Lucas is crap.

 

Personally, my opinion is that if it was meant to be in the oil then they would have included it in the additive package. Only OIL goes in my crankcase.

 

I will occasionally consider flushing an engine with ATF, but that's generally just a idle run up to temp, and then drain again. ATF is extremely high in detergents and will eat away a lot of deposits in abused engines. I have NEVER had to do this with properly maintained engines that have had regular oil changes.

 

It's all about proper maintenance. And I think the short trips are causing some serious engine deposits in Ed's case. Perhaps why the seafoam is making some difference.

 

Try a flush with ATF and get that seafoam out of there. Doesn't belong in your crankcase long term. Willy-nilly adding of additives change the properties of the oil - usually for the worse. You should see what Lucas does at high speeds . Talk about milkshake!

 

GD

 

 

DITTO.

 

I regularly put in ATF in a friends car, due to her outstanding lack of oil change history and subsequent frequent oil loss without visible signs of leakage. 4 qts 10-30 + 1 qt ATF = change oil every 1000-1500 miles. No problems in 25,000 miles and its gettin' cleaner, and burning less oil. We are now up to 2500 mile intervals and decreasing the amount of ATF used too.

 

I have seen it before---2.5 qts 10-30 + 2.5 qts deisel. It cleans it up quick, but you'll end up trying to suck the oil through all the "flakes" stuck in the sump screen. It didn't work for this particular guy as he fried his engine thinking he was "cleaning it".

 

So, it is a slow process, and a bit more expensive than what? A tear-down of your engine? No. Another engine? Not really. Drive it on longer trips as well, short trips kill cars.

 

Lewis

[edrach]

My 90' legacy uses about the same quantity of oil as you described and I was wondering what exactly "seafoam" is???

Seafoam is an oil/gas additive sold at many auto parts stores along with Rislone, Marvel Mystery Oil and others. NAPA carries it for sure.

[aartod]

This weekend my car is due for it's oil change... I think I might give this ATF flush a try. The previous owner of my legacy was not so hot at routine maintenance... maybe I can get lucky and get the cheap easy fix! If anyone else has any advice about the ATF flush or any other engine flush I be happy to hear about it! By the way, thanks for the info on lucas-- I am glad I never tried that!!!

[PA Grown]

Seafoam is a petroleum product and does not belong near an oil change, I use it in my gas tank to help clean out the injectors and any build up, and through the air bypass hose on the throttle body to clean the IACV. As far oil additives you're running a risky game. Yah they work, neglect to keep your oil level perfect and she's gonna blow on low oil pressure or get clogged at the pump screen or oil filter and then you'll be in for it. I've used some strange oil additive once yellow bottle don't remember. I use it in my sports bike, a cbr600 DOHC 16 valve, it worked wonders on oil consumption and quited my valve tick wayyyyy down. If it works on a fancy schmancy sports bike wouldn't you wanna try it? Just check your oil VERY often if you would please, and change the oil after about 1500 is what i did on my motorcycle.