Excessive oil useage.

[fred89sp]

While I would not ignore what you have observed, I would want to know
more and see if you have a consistent pattern before becoming alarmed.

When I bought my 89SP from the prior owner he told me that the low
level on the dipstick was at 3 quarts and that I should wait until the
level dropped to 3 quarts down before topping up. He said that if I
topped up every quart that I would use a lot more oil. He may have
picked that information up at a RIV but I do not know for sure. He
was a retired airline pilot and paid careful attention to the coach so
I accepted his advice. With 5 gallons in the crankcase, the loss of 3
quarts is not significant.

I use Rotella 15/40 oil. If you use something other than 15/40 that
will affect consumption.

My experience has been 3 quarts in 1,300 to 2,500 miles but I would
want to have a pattern of perhaps 5,000 miles of experience.

Obviously check for leaks. Do some Cat SOS tests on the oil after
3,000 or more miles (I do mine at 8,000 mile intervals when I change
the oil) to see what is in the oil. Again you need a pattern to see
what develops over time.

As to the crankcase breather, it vents to the atmosphere and carries
oil vapor. Yours sounds stock. The SP had a problem with overheating
when the oil contaminated vapors passed through the radiator, gathered
dirt and made the radiator less effective.

I have seen two fixes for this. I think one originated at Holland
Motor Home where they extended the vent to almost touch the ground (it
did touch when the suspension was dumped). I think the other came out
of Fort Valley where they extended the vent to exit below the rear
bumper. All of this has nothing to do with consumption but more FYI.
If yours has not been modified you need to modify it and/ or check to
be sure your radiator is clean

In any event you will find that this tube will show noticeable vapor
coming out of the engine. If you see that vapor then it is not
plugged but if it does not vent then pressure may be building in the
crankcase and causing crankcase pressure to force oil past the rings.
If so then the canister on the valve cover may need to be serviced.
I believe it has a mesh inside.

Even if your consumption is high, if your oil tests are OK I would not
mess with the rings just to cure an oil consumption problem.

Fred Riester


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "williamcharrison"
wrote:
> Anyone know any reason (other than bad rings) why a Cat 3208 with 87k
> on it would use excessive amounts of oil (4qts in 900 miles).