I own a 2006 2.3L Duratec with 135,000 miles. The truck still has as much power as the day I drove it off the lot, and still achieves the same gas mileage as it did when it was new. I have had zero problems with my truck...until recently. For the past couple of months, I have been losing about a quart of oil around every 700-800 miles. It is not leaking at all (at least when it's parked and I haven't seen any evidence of oil anywhere under the truck), and I have seen absolutely no smoke. I have tried to narrow down the problem, but am almost at the point of ripping my hair out. Last weekend my dad and I changed the pcv valve, hoping that would fix the issue but it did not. Have any of you guys had a similar issue with your 4 banger (especially duratec owners)? What did you find to be the problem? I have researched and have basically learned that it could be one of a number of things. I'm hoping it is something minor. I plan on letting the mechanic look at it next week. Thanks for your help!

 

well if its not any on the ground part that that rules out your rear main seal and your oil pan gasket, i could be wrong but since your not loosing alot of oil at one time you probably wouldn't notice any smoke or anything, so i could be a little oil leaking around the piston rings, but its not really that big of a deal since my tuck losses a little too, but i'd still ask someone else too, someone else on hear will probly have a better idea, hope i could help

 

have you changed the oil in it lately? check and make sure there isn't 2 gaskets stuck together in the oil filter... i have seen this happen and it is only going to leak under pressure... you should still see some oil on the ground tho, not much but a little...

 

2.3's have had some oil consumption problems since day one. My 88 ranger 2.3 used some oil. When i changed oil in it i would add one bottle of STP in the oil and let it run right after an oil change for 30 mins. This changed my oil consumption from 500/qt to 1500/qt

 

[QUOTE=1FastS197;1830891]have you changed the oil in it lately? check and make sure there isn't 2 gaskets stuck together in the oil filter... i have seen this happen and it is only going to leak under pressure... you should still see some oil on the ground tho, not much but a little...[/QUOTE

Originally, I also thought this was the problem. I watched the guy change my oil after that, and there was no gasket stuck on there. However, it did seem the guy that changed it before had overtightened it. I thought they may have stripped out the pan plug, but I have ruled that out because I have been constantly looking up under there for leaks and see absolutely none! Thanks for your replies!

 

hey your welcome, just hope you can get it squared away, i used bars engine oil stop leak and seal conditioner and that helped a little still uses some oil but last longer now, marvel mystery oil isn't bad either

 

Sorry, I just noticed the thread... I have had the exact same issue with mine, unfortunately have not had any time to do anything about it, however, you may want to check around the valve cover. I noticed an excessive build up of what appears to be dirt attracted by oil around and under the seams. If yours appears to be similar, I'm guessing that the oil is being soaked up by enough dust over time that, rather than dripping, it is burned off more gradually. Another possibly may be that it just cakes up and falls off while driving. Like I said, I have not had a chance to prove any of these theories and they could easily be incorrect, but I would also be interested in hearing what the mechanics said if you did take it in.

 

there's always going to be a little oil around the valve cover, wither from spilling when filling it up, or just a very slow leak, i haven't seen a vehicle yet with out a little crudded up oil around it, if it is actually leaking then the oil will be wet and it will puddle up on the back side of the engine in the lip on the valve cover, and if its burning off on the manifold you will notice it as soon as you step out of the truck

 

Have you checked your spark plug hole?

 

Just a data-point: My 2003 2.3L uses 1 quart every 2143 miles (average calculated over 2000-mile intervals). It has 186,040 on the odometer. PCV valve recently changed.

I've found oil pooling in the #3 spark plug well; probably need to replace the valve-cover gasket; is that unusual?

When new, the oil loss was negligible, but has steadily worsened. Never even checked the oil between oil changes (every 5000 miles) until the odometer went over 100,000; that's when I first noticed the oil use. It's gone from 1/2 quart every 5000 miles to 2.33 quarts every 5000 miles. Think I'll try an additive to see if it improves the oil con; anyone have success with any of those additives, and if so, which ones?

 

Check your radiator for oil. you may have a bad headgasket that is leaking only oil into the coolant. Also you can try driving up to about 25 or so and then take your foot off the gas and force it into 2nd. This will cause a large vacuum in the engine as well as a rpm increase. When the rpms go up, look at your exhaust for any blue smoke. if you see any this a sign of excessive blow-by weather from the rings or valve seals.

I would also check you spark plugs for any buildup