Low Oil?

[Thundergun]

Hey Guys.

Would like to get some input.

Went to check my oil this morning and for the first time ever, it was about 3/4 of a quart low and I'm scratching my head here.

It's a 2007 1500 quad cab hemi 4x4 with only 55k miles.

For the first time ever i put full synthetic penzoil platinum in it about 3300 miles ago.

I check the oil almost every fill up, and for as long as I have had it (about 2 years) it's NEVER been low on oil.

I go to check it this morning and it's about 3/4 quart low. I don't see any leaks anywhere and it doesn't leave any spots in my garage.

PCV valve? EGR valve? Anything??

Thanks!

 

[hemihustlin]

What were you running before? Do anything different this time? Big road trip?

Sometimes changing brands increases consumption for the first oil change, after that it usually tapers off.
I wouldnt sweat it, add whats missing and keep checking religously like you do. Report back in 2000 miles or whenever you usually change it.

 

[Thundergun]

What were you running before? Do anything different this time? Big road trip?

Sometimes changing brands increases consumption for the first oil change, after that it usually tapers off.
I wouldnt sweat it, add whats missing and keep checking religously like you do. Report back in 2000 miles or whenever you usually change it.

Thanks HemiHustlin!

Previously i have always run standard non synthetic 5-20. Whatever was a good deal at autozone. This is the first time i have run fully sythetic 5-20, as i have developed the 'Hemi Tick' and read that penziol plat full syn could eliminate it. It did not.

Yes, there was a road trip recently actually, since the last time i check the oil. It was only about 400 miles in a day.

I think it has something to do with the new full syn oil and it being the first time. Thinking on going back to the regular stuff cuz i hate seeing low oil! lol.

Thanks again for the info!!

 

[hemihustlin]

Long rides at highway speeds can definatly be a factor. In fact oil consumption is normal and every OEM has their own spec at what is considered normal. You definatly fall into the normal catagory. (Mine uses about a litre per 5k kms, also PP)
Like i said keep checking and keep running the PP for a couple of oil changes.
If for whatever reason you dont like it and need to go back to conventional, i highly reccomend the pennzoil yellow bottle, its factory fill for dodge now and is probably the best conventional on the market today.

 

[NYCruiser]

Long rides at highway speeds can definatly be a factor. In fact oil consumption is normal and every OEM has their own spec at what is considered normal. You definatly fall into the normal catagory. (Mine uses about a litre per 5k kms, also PP)
Like i said keep checking and keep running the PP for a couple of oil changes.
If for whatever reason you dont like it and need to go back to conventional, i highly reccomend the pennzoil yellow bottle, its factory fill for dodge now and is probably the best conventional on the market today.

X2 on Penzoil conventional. I like to change my oil every 5K miles, so I don't get the longevity benefit of synth anyway.

 

[hemihustlin]

Im doing about 9-10k km oil changes currently which i guess is 5k miles. Seems reasonable and i do lots of cold starts, not just winter but in general, i live close to work.
It works out to 1 oil change in the spring and 1 before winter.
When PP comes on sale here its 33$ and when PYB is on sale its like 20$ for a 5 litre jug in both cases.
While it may be more expensive in canada if you can sale hunt it dosent cost an arm and a leg just to change the oil.

 

[Thundergun]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll report back in a few thousand miles and over my next few oil changes. I really can't believe that all of a sudden my truck is consuming 3/4 quart of oil. Like a i said, for the last 2 years it's been steady, no consumption every time i check at fill up. Now after only 2000 miles it's low. Can't be due to consumption.

Thanks!

 

[Thundergun]

okay so it's been two oil changes. Here's what seems to happen.

Holds solid for about 3000 miles. I mean i measure it weekly, almost daily. I note where the level sits. I measure it in the same place everytime. Fully cooled down.

Then right about 3000 miles it appears to consume about 1/2 - 3/4 quarts.

Now there could be some error in my data taking abilities. But i'm pretty sure it's close to true - no consumption for 3000 miles, then all of a sudden it's thirsty.

Any thoughts? PCV valve?

 

[hemihustlin]

Are you still using synthetic?

Honestly i would not even worry about a 1/2 quart in 3k miles, especially if you are dumping it at the 3k mark.
Like i said mine consumes about that if not a bit more.
Valve stem seals are a common item and while you are in there block off the pcv and set up a catch can! No more dirtying up your tb and you will see where some of that oil went haha

 

[Thundergun]

Are you still using synthetic?

Honestly i would not even worry about a 1/2 quart in 3k miles, especially if you are dumping it at the 3k mark.
Like i said mine consumes about that if not a bit more.
Valve stem seals are a common item and while you are in there block off the pcv and set up a catch can! No more dirtying up your tb and you will see where some of that oil went haha

THanks Hemihustlin. I am back to using conventional.

Can you explain a little more what you mean by "while you are in there block off the pcv and set up a catch can! No more dirtying up your tb and you will see where some of that oil went haha"?

Thanks!

 

[hemihustlin]

THanks Hemihustlin. I am back to using conventional.

Can you explain a little more what you mean by "while you are in there block off the pcv and set up a catch can! No more dirtying up your tb and you will see where some of that oil went haha"?

Thanks!

I found a thread with very pertinent information on 3rd gen hemi catch cans, and more!


http://www.ramforum.com/f50/catch_can_2007_5_7_hemi-47539/