We keep having to add engine oil to our Chevy 8.1L motorhome in signature...like 16 oz. every 500 miles. It had a leak a couple months ago and we had an oil line changed. No visible leak now. No smoke coming out of exhaust pipe. Oil pressure on dash gauge is just like it's always been, about 55 when driving...with 40 being the middle and 80 the highest. Does that sound good? We don't even know what those numbers mean.We are over 3,000 miles from home, so can't go back to the mechanic right now.Just wondered if anyone has any ideas about our older motorhome, with 90,000 miles, that uses alot of oil. Should we be concerned? What can be done?The engine still sounds and runs great!

I had a '97 SBC with a bad valve stem seal suck approx 1qt per 600mi when I was on a trip from UT to CO. I did have a cold misfire at idle. The problem cylinder had heavy ash deposits on the spark plug. I could not see any smoke from the pipe. A 'quick' test would be to pull the spark plugs and inspect for abnormal, this would tell you which cylinder(s) are having an issue. Leak, rings, or valve stems.

Keep an eye on the oil level and when you get home, take it to a shop and have the motor rebuilt.90K in a Mo Ho, it's time.

1/2 qt in 500 miles but how much in 1000 miles? Many engines will use a half at and stay there for many miles. You don't need to add until it gets to "add" our almost.

K Charles wrote:1/2 qt in 500 miles but how much in 1000 miles? Many engines will use a half at and stay there for many miles. You don't need to add until it gets to "add" our almost.I agree, a qt to 1000 miles is no big deal. I don't think the manufacturer would fix that even if it was still under warranty.

Next oil change make sure you check the level immediately after to verify the full mark. Slight overfill can burn more oil.Fill by capacity specification not the stick.

Motorhome drinking oil | Good Sam Community

Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2019
I, too, will add that I don't think that oil consumption is out of line for that engine at that age. While I never gave it any thought, there might be something to the statements that the "FULL" mark on the dip stick might be too high. I seem to have experienced situations where the first 1/2 quart or so seems to be used up fairly quickly, but then the level stabilizes for the rest of the oil change interval. Hmmmm....interesting.

~Rick
Janss
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2019
We'll keep watching the dipstick over the next few thousand miles as we continue our trip. And someday when my body feels nimble, I might crawl under the motorhome to have a look at the undercarriage.

Thanks for the additional comments. All very helpful.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2019
I should add that the 2 quart AC Delco oil filter is readily available and only costs a few bucks extra. It also makes changing the filter a breeze since it hangs down and clears the things that made the 1/2 quart filter harder to remove. The additional oil capacity from that filter is one thing but the 4 times increase in filter area is also a very good thing as is the added cooling from the additional oil. I traveled a lot in the Western mountains always towing and after almost 100,000 miles I do not have any oil issues.
twodownzero
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
I would just keep adding oil. I bet you'll get another 5 years or more out of that engine. If you absolutely can't stand the oil consumption, I bet a new set of valve seals alone will reduce the consumption by 50% or more. If it has good power and no smoke, I highly doubt it needs a set of rings.
Chum_lee
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
As long as it passes emissions, (if required) starts easily, it's not smoking, leaking, missing, fouling plugs, lighting the Check Engine Light, and generating rated power, . . . . . . keep driving it. Add oil when it gets below the "ADD" line on the dipstick. Don't worry about it. Enjoy life and have a good trip.

You can tear the engine down and replace the seals, rings, bearings, etc. spending thousands to save $3.00 every 1,000 miles, if you prefer, but it will take the life of the motorhome to recoup your investment in a rebuilt engine. (that is otherwise operating fine except that it uses a little oil) IMO, some things are best left alone and tolerated.

Chum lee
dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 19, 2019
YEARS ago, the actual spec for a Chevy 454 was 1 qt per 500 miles. I never saw or had a customer that used that much, but when the customer went to the Chevy Heavy Truck center, they showed the paper that stated this. Usually the complaint was 1qt per 2 to 3 thousand miles. 90k and have you owned since it was new? It depends on how the engine was used or abused in 17 years. What grade oil are you using? Doug
timmac
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
olfarmer wrote:
K Charles wrote:
1/2 qt in 500 miles but how much in 1000 miles? Many engines will use a half at and stay there for many miles. You don't need to add until it gets to "add" our almost.

I agree, a qt to 1000 miles is no big deal. I don't think the manufacturer would fix that even if it was still under warranty.

It is a big deal, modern gas motors should not eat oil..

I had a 2002 8.1 GM motor in a Flair motorhome and it to ate 1 quart every 1500 miles, Now my 2008 Ford V-10 motorhome never eats any oil, can go 10,000 miles if needed and never loose a drop..
tiffy2000
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
My Ford manual says this:
If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is
acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.
• If the oil level is below the MIN mark, add enough oil to raise the level
within the MIN-MAX range

I have read that if I top it off to the MAX mark it will use oil
okhmbldr
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
Another reason for this sudden use of oil is possibly the quality of oil added at the last oil change.
I have an Avalanche with 205,000 miles and has never used a drop of oil....until my oil change guy forgot and added their "house blend". I noticed that after 1000 miles it used a full quart and I was sad. All those years and never used a drop and now I was a user!
Later I noticed on my receipt he noted that the house blend had been used instead of the Castrol 10/30 that has been in the truck since new.
Anyway, I went back and he changed to my Castrol, and the truck hasn't used a drop since.
Just a thought.
olfarmer
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2019
It is a 2002 with 90000 miles on it. Gaskets shrink, seals get worn, and there is some wear on the engine at 90000 miles. I would just check the oil and add when it gets down to the add line! I have a 2001 7.4 which I got several years ago when it had 9000 miles on it, now it has almost 30000 on it. It has always taken a quart at about 1200 to 1500 miles and it still does. I bet if you check the original manufacturers warranty you will find that it had to use more than a quart to 500 miles to get service under warranty!

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