Oil Viscosity trial and error

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NardDog

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let me preface this question by saying i have upgraded the valve cover and am currently running a oil catch can. My lm7 is still consuming more or less a quart every 300 miles, seems to vary depending on how much idling I do.

For those who are in the same boat(Valdez) have you found that topping oil with a particular viscosity weight or brand helps your engine consume less oil. Because Im using oil I dont use synthetics like mobile 1 . Im usually buying pennzoil or similar but a high mileage label. I switched between 5w30 and 10w30 with no noticeable difference. Winters aren’t really that bad here in Texas so I have not even accounted for them when buying oil.

Heres the question:
What viscosity do you thing burns more or less than others?

If theres seems to be an overall consensus on this topic i would like to know but maybe theres real way to remedy except for fixing the cause of the oil consumption(there its been said).
 
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NardDog

NardDog

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Goodness that's a lot

Sanity check that it's not pouring out anywhere or not mixing with coolant or something? That much oil... See blue smoke from the exhaust / oil smell?


What are you pulling from your catch can? How many miles?
Nope, no puddles just allot smoke at idle. I pull less than 1/4cup of oil out of the CC as well.
 
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SnowDrifter

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3 things I want to you to check

Drain the catch can out and start the car

Open the valve on the catch can. Do you feel pressure, suction, or neutral?

What about if you remove the oil fill cap and place your palm over the opening? Test this with the catch can drain open and closed. You should have 3 references:

Catch can w/ cap on
Cap off w/ catch can open
Cap off w/ catch can closed
 

Scottydoggs

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sounds like valve seals to me. at 200k you may as well toss new valve springs in there as long as they need to come off to to change the seals.

might want to do a compression test as well if the seals look ok. should be able to see em through the springs.
 

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