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Oil consumption got worse. Not sure what to do. Should I sell the car?

UnhandledException

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13,000 miles. No track history. Daily driver. Occassional 7-8k rpm. Broken in properly. Never hard on gas when cold. Oil changes every 3000 miles.

The top offs started as 1/2 qt every 750 miles then became 500 miles, then 1 qt every 500 miles and as of two days ago I had to add 2 full quarts in 600 miles (and after adding 2 full qt, the oil level is mid way between min and max).

I have UPR catch can that always fills up and I get 4 oz of oil every 500 miles without exception.

All measurements done on level ground (on my 4 post lift which has level runways). All measurements done after the car was driven and oil reaches 200F and waiting 15 minutes).

The car has a lot of sentimental value for me, my 6 year old loves it. I was planning to keep it in the family and hand her the keys one day. But I m afraid its a dudd and this oil consumption is only going to get worse.

Changing the engine is not an option. A) I dont trust the service. I live in tri state area where Ford service is terrible. B) Not going to be okay with blank VIN stamp on the block.

Is there anything I can do to improve the situation? Should I try different oil? Or should I change sensors somewhere?
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There are over 45,000 Shelby's to choose from without the FPC motor. Sell it and buy one of those.
 

stanglife

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You're talking about roughly 1qt per fillup. That doesn't even seem possible. I'm not calling you out, at all - just hard to imagine where that much oil could go unless the car was smoking down the road. If it was a leak, it would be on the ground - if it's getting past the rings, it would be smoking... if it's being pushed into the PCV system via crankcase pressure, it would also be smoking. Mystery.
 
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UnhandledException

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You're talking about roughly 1qt per fillup. That doesn't even seem possible. I'm not calling you out, at all - just hard to imagine where that much oil could go unless the car was smoking down the road. If it was a leak, it would be on the ground - if it's getting past the rings, it would be smoking... if it's being pushed into the PCV system via crankcase pressure, it would also be smoking. Mystery.
Below is my maintenance journal of the car since the day I bought it.

Also my inner exhaust pipes are much darker (as in black) than outer pipes (I do use the car on sport mode 90% of the time)

1083 miles 10/27/2016 First oil change. Added 10 qt.
1930 miles 11/13/2016 Added 1/2 qt.
2406 miles 12/03/2016 Added 1/2 qt.
2715 miles 12/09/2016 Added 1/2 qt.
3076 miles 12/27/2016 Added 1/2 qt.
3811 miles 02/25/2017 Added 1/2 qt.
4159 miles 03/18/2017 Oil change. Added 9 3/4 qt.
5083 miles 04/10/2017 Added 1 qt.
5740 miles 04/17/2017 Added 1 qt.
6270 miles 04/29/2017 Added 1 qt.
6919 miles 05/18/2017 Added 1 qt.
7289 miles 05/25/2017 Oil change - Added 10 qt.
7702 miles 06/18/2017 Added 1/2 qt
8640 miles 07/15/2017 Added 1 qt
8970 miles 07/25/2017 Added 1/2 qt
10082 miles 08/01/2017 Changed air filter
10219 miles 08/04/2017 Added 1/2 qt, Topped off engine coolant
11266 miles 08/08/2017 Oil change. Added 10 qt
11369 miles 08/10/2017 Installed oil catch can
11500 miles 08/13/2017 Emptied oil catch can - 1.5 oz
11738 miles 08/19/2017 Added 1 qt, Emptied catch can - 3 oz.
12076 miles 08/24/2017 Added 1 qt, Emptied catch can - 3.5 oz.
12684 miles 09/30/2017 Added 2 qt, Emptied catch can - 3.5 oz.
 

MrCincinnati

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You're talking about roughly 1qt per fillup. That doesn't even seem possible. I'm not calling you out, at all - just hard to imagine where that much oil could go unless the car was smoking down the road. If it was a leak, it would be on the ground - if it's getting past the rings, it would be smoking... if it's being pushed into the PCV system via crankcase pressure, it would also be smoking. Mystery.
That's not hard for me to believe. I can burn 3/4Qt in 1 tank just by driving aggressively on the street (highway in 4th and 5th, constant rev matching/engine braking).

I'm performing a non scientific test with another 250mi to go where I'm only doing that stuff occasionally to see if I notice less consumption than my last 400mi.

OP - how are you driving the car? Do you cruise on the highway in 6th? Ride the crackle a lot? Engine braking a lot?
 

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UnhandledException

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That's not hard for me to believe. I can burn 3/4Qt in 1 tank just by driving aggressively on the street (highway in 4th and 5th, constant rev matching/engine braking).

I'm performing a non scientific test with another 250mi to go where I'm only doing that stuff occasionally to see if I notice less consumption than my last 400mi.

OP - how are you driving the car? Do you cruise on the highway in 6th? Ride the crackle a lot? Engine braking a lot?
I dont drive under 3000 rpm. 80% of my driving is between 3500-4500. A lot of revving to 5000-6000 and letting go off the throttle to hear pops and explosions.

I m on 6th only if I m past 85mph.
 

Sammy

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You're talking about roughly 1qt per fillup. That doesn't even seem possible. I'm not calling you out, at all - just hard to imagine where that much oil could go unless the car was smoking down the road. If it was a leak, it would be on the ground - if it's getting past the rings, it would be smoking... if it's being pushed into the PCV system via crankcase pressure, it would also be smoking. Mystery.
The OP's story is very similar to mine. Right before Ford replaced my first engine the car used a quart every 140 miles. The back of the car was black with soot. My driveway had silver dollar sized stains from the sooty drips coming from the catalytic converters on cold starts.

OP make sure the Ford replaces your catalytic converters when they do the engine swap. They did it for me on request. Yours are working overtime dealing with the excessive oil.

Good luck
 
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UnhandledException

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The OP's story is very similar to mine. Right before Ford replaced my first engine the car used a quart every 140 miles. The back of the car was black with soot. My driveway had silver dollar sized stains from the sooty drips coming from the catalytic converters on cold starts.

OP make sure the Ford replaces your catalytic converters when they do the engine swap. They did it for me on request. Yours are working overtime dealing with the excessive oil.

Good luck
Engine replacement is not an option. They will destroy the car just the thought of it gives me goose bumps.
 
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UnhandledException

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If you look at my journal, there is a 2300 mile period during which I only added 1/2 qt. Thats when i went for a road trip where I babied the car, never did go above 4500 and cruised on 6th all the time. Always shifted gears around 2000-2500. If I drive in grandma mode like that, I m sure oil usage will be drastically less but I cant really drive that way all the time.
 

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Go to the trouble of troubleshooting the motor with ford. It may lead to engine replacement. If it needs a new motor, then get a new motor. It wouldn't be fair to the next guy who buys the car with this problem. A new motor on a standard 350 wouldn't be a deal breaker for potential sale.

If you are worried about scratches, get some track tape or road wrap and go over the front end.

Take it to ford and start the process.
 

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UnhandledException

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What if I keep the car and keep adding oil? Whats the worst that can happen? Please serious answers only.

Financially I dont care about the cost of oil. My plan was to keep this car 30-40 years and keep it in the family.
 

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There was an article in one of the more recent of the 20 posts about this issue, the article is about GM engines but the theory applies and I believe it's likely part of the reason some are using oil and some are not. And most of it revolves around higher rpm and low load situations. On my 2nd 350 with no oil consumption. I break in per instruction and the car idles until it's got around 150°f oil temp and then it's mild driving until 190°f then all bets are off.. but I'm in 6th gear at 65 or above most of the time. If you rev this engine out at lower loads constantly, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if your had higher oil consumption. You should try driving it normally and see how it reacts. If consumption decreases then I dont see a problem with the engine.. if driving that way to reduce consumption is not something you want to do you can sell it or start a claim with Ford. Or.. just keep adding oil.
 
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UnhandledException

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I dont need to try to see how it reacts because I know for a fact the consumption goes down quadruple if not more if I drive the car normally.

It used 1/2 qt in 2300 miles during my road trip where I babied the car and was on 6th majority of the time. That being said even that time I did several 8200 rpm runs one off for people who wanted a ride in the car.

I m sure if I drive the car "normally", as in shifting at 2200 rpm and 6th gear as soon as possible, it probably will never need oil, but thats not how I want to drive it or how anyone should drive this car
 

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What if I keep the car and keep adding oil? Whats the worst that can happen? Please serious answers only.

Financially I dont care about the cost of oil. My plan was to keep this car 30-40 years and keep it in the family.
I would not go beyond the warranty period without having this issue resolved; might become a very costly exercise later on...

Just my 2 cents.
 

MrCincinnati

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I dont drive under 3000 rpm. 80% of my driving is between 3500-4500. A lot of revving to 5000-6000 and letting go off the throttle to hear pops and explosions.

I m on 6th only if I m past 85mph.
If you look at my journal, there is a 2300 mile period during which I only added 1/2 qt. Thats when i went for a road trip where I babied the car, never did go above 4500 and cruised on 6th all the time. Always shifted gears around 2000-2500. If I drive in grandma mode like that, I m sure oil usage will be drastically less but I cant really drive that way all the time.
There was an article in one of the more recent of the 20 posts about this issue, the article is about GM engines but the theory applies and I believe it's likely part of the reason some are using oil and some are not. And most of it revolves around higher rpm and low load situations. On my 2nd 350 with no oil consumption. I break in per instruction and the car idles until it's got around 150°f oil temp and then it's mild driving until 190°f then all bets are off.. but I'm in 6th gear at 65 or above most of the time. If you rev this engine out at lower loads constantly, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if your had higher oil consumption. You should try driving it normally and see how it reacts. If consumption decreases then I dont see a problem with the engine.. if driving that way to reduce consumption is not something you want to do you can sell it or start a claim with Ford. Or.. just keep adding oil.
Given what you've said - paired with my own similar experience and the article/thread Donkey is referencing - I'm pretty certain a new motor is not the solution for you. I highly doubt you'll see any difference with a new motor given the same driving habits.

Check this thread: http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91109

As quoted you mentioned when you took a trip and babied the car you didn't see the consumption - so we can assume there's not a static issue with your specific motor. If I were you I'd perform another 3-500mi test where you drive the car mostly easy - don't hang around 4-5-6k for extended periods at partial throttle, don't engine brake just to hear the crackle etc - rev match when necessary, not just for the audible pleasantries - use 6th gear on the highway. If you see a drastic reduction in consumption under that test - then you know your motor is fine and the consumption is likely occurring due to driving habits.

At that point you'll just need to decide if it's worth keeping a car that eats oil like crazy in order to drive it like you do. **edit** not sure if there are any long term issues with oil consumption at that level... but it does appear to be part of the design - and on par with the manual.

My personal decision is to drive the car how I want to drive it on any given day and adapt my expectations to the reality of this motor.
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