Losing oil/pressure.

[95eclipseGST008]

Well, I changed my oil 3 weeks ago. Well today, 1500 miles later, the oil pressure light came on after drving 50 miles. On galants there is no stock gauge so I had no idea what to expect when I saw the light flash. Well, I check the oil level and there is nothing on the dipstick. So, I get some oil and start pouring. Well, it takes 3 quarts to get it back to the ideal level. Basically I had a quart of oil in the engine.

Any ideas of what it could be? Engine has 153k miles on it without a rebuild. It is not smoking at all. I could not find any sign of a leak on the underside of the engine. The only sign of a leak is from the oil cap with a little bit of oil under the spark plug cover. I honestly don't see a leaky oil cap gasket as the cause of losing 3 quarts of oil in 1500 miles. No oil leaks under the car when it has been parked under night. It seems like it is only losing oil when under pressure.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

What kind of oil pan do you have? Did you yourself change the oil? Does the car smoke out the exhaust pipe? Did you check the back of the block?

 

[95eclipseGST008]

It's the stock Galant VR4/6bolt oil pan. There was no oil leaking from that. I did find some oil on the subrame but I haven't had the opportunity to look over the back of the block. Yes, I changed the oil myself. I have done it probably 18-20 times on 2 DSMs so I'm comfortable with that. No oil is leaking from the pan or fromt he filter area. There is no smoke from the exhaust.

It just seems really strange that so much oil could be leaking without a visable leak when parked. 3 quarts in 1500 miles would suggest that the engine is burning oil but there is absolutely no smoke from the engine or exhaust. The engine continues to run strong and I filled up today with and I'm averaging 28mpg.

-Tim

 

[larsenracing]

Well it has to be going somewhere unless not thinking you didnt pour the other 3 qts in. If the sub fram is just oily I wouldnt think there is enough to have 3 qts thats alot of oil. It may not burn oil at idle are you sure it dosent when you are on the gas. have a buddy fallow you and hammer on it to see if it smokes then.

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

Agreed. That is a lot of oil in a short time. Do another chane and drive it again and see what happens this time. You never know, it is possible you forgot to add some oil. Everyone has done something dumb like that before, I have a bad habit of forgetting that dang oil cap!

 

[95eclipseGST008]

I'm going to try replacing all the upper gaskets this weekend and cleaning up the block so I can see if its leaking from anywhere.

-Tim