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Burning Oil???

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:05 pm
by tsouth07
The jeep gremlins are at it again with 115k miles. My jeep is going through a quart of oil every 50 miles. There appears to be no leaks whatsoever. When I start my Sahara there is no smoke for about 30 seconds. After that 30 seconds there is some light grey smoke. The inside of my exhaust tip is black with the outside being black from 1/4" from the tip. I believe it's burning my oil like crazy. Any suggestions? I appreciate the help.

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:36 pm
by 97JEEPTJ
If it's burning that much oil, it'd typically be a blue-ish smoke, and you sure should be able to smell it.

This is a wrangler/TJ? 4.0L?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:41 pm
by tsouth07
I wouldnt say it's blueish, atleast not at first crank but I can get a wiff of it when I open the vents up going down the road. Perhaps if I let it idle 5-10 minutes Id get the blue smoke. The engine itself is clean as a whistle with no leaks around the valve covers. Any addatives you'd recommend adding to the oil, or perhaps something else to look for? Greatly appreciate all help!

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:48 pm
by 97JEEPTJ
What engine? 4.0L?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:51 pm
by tsouth07
My apologies, left that part out before. It is indeed the 4.0 inline 6.

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:04 pm
by TerryD
need to re-seat the rings it sounds like. Easy to do, but must be done right to work and not bust the motor...

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:13 pm
by tsouth07
Reseat the rings huh? I just find it rather odd how this just started all of a sudden. never dripped a drop or burnt any oil whatsoever.... JEEP Just Empty Every Pocket

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:03 pm
by TerryD
possibly broke a ring if it just happened suddenly. Are you noticing a loss in power or getting oil pumping out in the airbox?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:14 pm
by tsouth07
I havent noticed a drop in power, then again I hadnt driven it for close to 2 months. As far as the airbox goes, I've got a k&n ram-air under the hood. Anything else to take a gander at???? Thanks once again

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:32 am
by willhf1011
are you getting any blow by out the dipstick? if your ring(s) are on their way out there should be some compression in the crankcase

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:14 pm
by tsouth07
no blowout by the dipstick, no leaks/drips anywhere.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:34 pm
by Stinson
when is the last time you actually had the motor up to operating temp for an extended period of time? You said you had not driven it in the past few months, so when was the last oil change. If you do a lot of starts and never get up to temp, you can build up moisture in the oil, then when you get it hot on a good long drive with will evaporate out and appear as if you lost oil.

Change oil and monitor it. Smoke on decel is rings. Smoke on accel is valve seals.

If there is oil burning pull the plugs. Find the black one. Do a compression test.

Hopefully you will find that the oil was just low, and that you dont have a problem.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:52 pm
by tsouth07
very informative. many thanks. i do believe the whole moistue deal may be wishful thinking as I've put in quit a few quarts within the past week. hopefully after new years I'll run that compression test and go from there.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:17 am
by shmoken875
Stinson wrote:
Change oil and monitor it. Smoke on decel is rings. Smoke on accel is valve seals.


Interesting, never knew that

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:29 pm
by Stinson
usually thats the case with light blue smoke. If its smoking like a freight train all the time then you have some major issues.