Engine Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BrookelynnGreen · 03-17-2012, 12:22 AM

1986 Chevy C10
350 Engine
4 barrel Carb

Ok, so I have had this truck about 5 months. Its my daily driver. I drive to and from work, to and from school and every tuesday and wenesday I drive approx 40 miles @70mph to Augusta kansas and back. I changed my oil about 3 months ago and my oil was pretty low. My coolant looked a bit low also. Is it normal that its consuming that much oil? I do drive it pretty hard. There is no external coolant leaks or external oil leaks. Could it be due to my driving hard? And I just checked my oil stick, the oil coming off the stick seemed "a bit thin". I use 10W30. My truck drives great!! Never overheats. Never stalls, and it drives great going out of town. I'm wondering if I should be worried??? Please help.
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**old Rusty C10** · 03-17-2012, 08:37 AM

10W30 oil isnt as thick as some oils... when its warmed up oil thins..Im sure that youre burning some oil thats prolly where the loss is coming from.. check the oil every day and also in three months id be do for an oil change prolly

69BBsuburban · 03-17-2012, 01:57 PM

How much oil did you add?
A quart of oil use in 3 months of consistant driving is not a big deal.....

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-17-2012, 02:04 PM

Your engine may be a little worn and maybe eats a little oil. As well as a small oil leak can make it low as well. Make sure to change your oil every thre months or 3000 miles.
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beamn7 · 03-17-2012, 04:30 PM

GM's guideline for TODAY's engines in cars and light duy trucks under 8600gvw is 1qt every 2000 miles. For vehicles over 8600gvw it is 1qt for every 100 gallons of fuel consumed which if you are averaging 8mpg equates to 1qt in 800mi....
Keep in mind, that is for TODAY's engines which have much tighter tolerances, etc and are not 25yrs old so loosen up those numbers a bit to compensate for the age, etc.
Some oil consumption on an older engine is expected, as Insidious noted, could be slightly worn out, maybe a leaky valve seal(s), etc.....
Unless is puffin' blue smoke, I would worry about it too much, just keep an eye on the oil level and keep it changed regularly.

butch86 · 03-17-2012, 09:46 PM

i have a 350 in my 70 chevelle and i use about 1/2 quart every tank of fuel. it been that way since the day its been built. its really a lose motor. if your only losing a quart or so during 3000 miles your doing good with a pre 90s gm motor.

03-17-2012, 12:22 AM	#1
BrookelynnGreen Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 125	Engine Question 1986 Chevy C10 350 Engine 4 barrel Carb Ok, so I have had this truck about 5 months. Its my daily driver. I drive to and from work, to and from school and every tuesday and wenesday I drive approx 40 miles @70mph to Augusta kansas and back. I changed my oil about 3 months ago and my oil was pretty low. My coolant looked a bit low also. Is it normal that its consuming that much oil? I do drive it pretty hard. There is no external coolant leaks or external oil leaks. Could it be due to my driving hard? And I just checked my oil stick, the oil coming off the stick seemed "a bit thin". I use 10W30. My truck drives great!! Never overheats. Never stalls, and it drives great going out of town. I'm wondering if I should be worried??? Please help. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ -Samuel "Knowledge Is Power"

03-17-2012, 08:37 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,281	Re: Engine Question 10W30 oil isnt as thick as some oils... when its warmed up oil thins..Im sure that youre burning some oil thats prolly where the loss is coming from.. check the oil every day and also in three months id be do for an oil change prolly __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

03-17-2012, 01:57 PM	#3
69BBsuburban Right in front of you. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roy, Wa Posts: 584	Re: Engine Question How much oil did you add? A quart of oil use in 3 months of consistant driving is not a big deal..... __________________ Pinstriping by Josh '78 Chevy Silverado SWB (lowered, 454) '90 Chevy Sport Truck '68 Dodge Charger R/T 1930 Ford Model A

03-17-2012, 02:04 PM	#4
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Engine Question Your engine may be a little worn and maybe eats a little oil. As well as a small oil leak can make it low as well. Make sure to change your oil every thre months or 3000 miles. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

03-17-2012, 04:30 PM	#5
beamn7 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wildomar, CA Posts: 466	Re: Engine Question GM's guideline for TODAY's engines in cars and light duy trucks under 8600gvw is 1qt every 2000 miles. For vehicles over 8600gvw it is 1qt for every 100 gallons of fuel consumed which if you are averaging 8mpg equates to 1qt in 800mi.... Keep in mind, that is for TODAY's engines which have much tighter tolerances, etc and are not 25yrs old so loosen up those numbers a bit to compensate for the age, etc. Some oil consumption on an older engine is expected, as Insidious noted, could be slightly worn out, maybe a leaky valve seal(s), etc..... Unless is puffin' blue smoke, I would worry about it too much, just keep an eye on the oil level and keep it changed regularly.

03-17-2012, 09:46 PM	#6
butch86 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: harrisville, ms Posts: 377	Re: Engine Question i have a 350 in my 70 chevelle and i use about 1/2 quart every tank of fuel. it been that way since the day its been built. its really a lose motor. if your only losing a quart or so during 3000 miles your doing good with a pre 90s gm motor.



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