why am I burning oil?

[slider85]

here's what's up. two weeks ago had my t-belt and oil changed with Pennzoil Regular 10W30. mechanic told me not to use Mobil 1 synthetic because you will go through it like water. Since then I have returned to school and I have to drive 20 minutes on highway four days a week at approx. 120kms/h. Anyways, today I just checked my oil level and it is at half way between low and full on the dipstick. I have had spark plug gaskets, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket and new oil drain plug. Although, one of my valve cover bolts is stripped and does not tighten.

Why am I losing oil? I can't see smoke, probably because I am focused on the cars in front of me, but you know. And, I don't have oil stains on the driveway either. Any ideas? Hoping it is not headgasket but that problem would be noticeable I believe.

Sorry for the length of post. Just thought I would fully explain the problem.

 

[realhp=turbo]

Ive played around with different types and different brands of oil in my car and Ive noticed that thicker oil actually slows the motor more but the turbo likes it more. The thinner the oil the faster the motor revs, but it also slips past the rings and seals faster. I personally use mobil 1 15/50 and its been the best that Ive run ever. Alittle more spendy but I think its worth it. Considering that my motor has like 208,000 miles on it. I have, however, noticed that with the mobil 1 I get alittle more lifter tick than usual at idle. Nothing to worry about though. My answer to your Hudini oil is that you are just burning it. And unless you have someone follow you to look for smoke chances are that you are burning it. Top of that, where did you go for your oil change, Jiffy Lube? Pennsoil is all they push and ofcourse they are gonna tell you some cockamaimy story about other brands. My advice, do your own oil changes, experiment with oil types and brands and keep pickin everyones brain. FYI I used to work at Jiffy Screw I know there routine. How often do you have to add a quart? How hard do you really drive? Do you like to hear that turbo spool up? Thats a stupid question. My advice, dont use pennsoil, hell Im not even impressed with the Penns Syncromesh I have in my tranny. Tell me if Im helping you here.
mike

 

[slider85]

I switched from Castrol 10W30 Regular to Mobil 1 Synthetic then to Pennzoil 10W30 Regular. I think next time I will do a Flush then just use regular oil, not synthetic. And, the Pennzoil seemed to lessen and sometimes take away the lifter tick, Mobil 1 didn't.