Re: Dumb Oil Question

["Rich Wagner" <drsavage@xxxxxxx>]

Hi gang,

After a six-month absence, I'm back.  I'm glad to see that many of the same
people are still here.

Howard wrote:

>Now since I've owned it, without realizing the previous owner had used
>Pennzoil, I've been using Castrol 20-50.  Since selling my Spider this
>past summer, I've been driving the Milano a lot more on the highway, and
>I've noticed my oil consumption has increased to about 1 qt/500 miles.
>I've gone through three oil changes with Castrol.
>
>Dumb question time: could my changing brands have contributed to the
>increase in oil consumption?  Or is it just that I'm driving longer
>distance trips?

No, Howard.  Switching brands didn't do-in your engine.  I'd suspect that
your valve guide seals have simply given up the ghost.  It's my experience
that this usually causes more consumption at high RPM.  The only difference
you can expect in changing from Pennzoil to Castrol, is an increase in the
rate of tar buildup inside the engine.  "Pennsylvania grade" oils usually
produce less of this.

So leave yourself off of the hook.  You didn't destroy your car.  As long
as you can verify that there are no leaks, and that the oil pressure is
okay, just keep driving and pouring in the oil.  When you have the time,
remove and rebuild the heads.


Rich
Manitou Springs, CO
'82 GTV6 Balocco

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