Is this even possible?

[rileythemustangguy]

I think I chose the best sub forum for this:

About a month ago, I checked my oil level to find it a quart low. I immediately added a quart of oil, confirmed the level rose to the right spot, and called it good.

Today, I checked my oil again and fuck me if it wasn't a quart low again. I measured multiple times to confirm.

A little background - I bought my car back in September 2020, at around 19,500 miles. The oil was fresh in the car at that point, and I checked the oil level when I got it home to ensure it was at a good level. I work from home, so I don't drive my car much; right now, it has just over 22,000 miles. The carfax showed a good service history, and the car is super clean, so really someone's Sunday driver (I assumed).

So the question: is it even possible for an engine to consume a whole quart of oil in 100 or 200 miles?? There's zero indication of any oil leaks that I can tell, and the coolant looks perfect. I'm thinking I'll take it to the dealership for an oil change and have them measure how much oil drains, and have them check the level in a month or do a consumption test? I just can't possibly believe I'm having this problem with what a super low mileage car/engine.

TIA for any notes/advice/etc. Cheers!

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[sk47]

Hello; Yes it is possible. No good but possible. There are threads on this site about oil consumption. If you are indeed using a quart in 100 to 200 miles there is some sort of issue.
Not sure why you will go to a dealer on this. You should be able to check the oil use yourself. The way I do it is to check before the first start of the day when cold and shut off over night. Try to park it in the same place each time.
a quart in 100 or even 200 miles is extreme. Ford calls anything under 500 miles per quart excessive.

I am not sure if you have a warranty claim on a 2017 for oil consumption. I would check to see if you have any warranty before throwing money at a dealer. Power train is five years or 60,000 miles but I do not know if oil consumption is covered.

If you wind up having to do this on your own dime there are some things to check. Most cars have a valve which controls the crankcase gases. Called the PCV. It is usually cheap and easy to replace. If it is faulty oil can be lost thru it. I just do not know if a 2017 GT has the normal sort.

good luck

 

[Arknsawchuck]

I would think a car using 1 quart in 100 to 200 miles should have some kind of sign like smoking or puddles. You said no puddles so next time you drive watch for smoke. Check the back of your car for signs of oil spots from oil being sprayed while driving. The back end of these cars seems to be a magnet for spray, dust or any other thing flying up under the car. The oil has to be going someplace.

 

[HiTekExec]

It would take some serious performance driving to drink a quart in 200 miles.
I would imagine a plume of smoke behind you otherwise (since the car is running), which would also cook your cats in short order.

 

[rileythemustangguy]

My thoughts were also that I really should be noticing it somewhere. The car does have another year of powetrain warranty left, which is why I thought going to the dealer ASAP to start a list of events (of sorts) may be a good idea, in case it ends up being catastrophic. I went back out this evening, looked at the catch can, looked in the engine bay with a flashlight, and really got no further. The catch can had maybe an ounce of oil in it, there was some oil residue on the coil cover, passenger side, but I'm pretty certain thats from a bad clean up job when I put the last quart in and spilled a little. I ran it and didn't notice any smoke at all from the exhaust, and the engine bay was otherwise dry as a bone. I'll try to get it up this weekend to pull the PP underbody panel off and get a real good look from underneath.

Pics attached show only residue I could find.

 

[HiTekExec]

Looks pretty clean on top so I’m in agreement with #Arknsawchuck that it’s either leaking underneath or blowing smoke, especially under acceleration.

 

[ice445]

I'd remove the catch can before taking it in, they're likely to blame it for the consumption lol

 

[wingnutt]

bring it in for an oil consumption test...but like ice said, pull the can off first.

some dealers don’t care, some do...it’s not worth finding out the hard way

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