So, Where's All the Oil Going?
Like all of you, before going on a trip I check all fluid levels. My oil dip stick indicated "full". After 527 miles I checked the oil level again while fueling up. Oil was down 1-1/2 quarts. Strange,...
Forum Discussion
To check valve stem seals, after towing do not start the truck until the motor is cooled completely. Have some one start the truck while you watch the exhaust, if you get a puff of black smoke and then it clears up I would suspect stem seals. After shutting down a warm motor, with bad stem seals, the oil in the valve covers tends to run down the valve seals. Not really noticeable when running.
There is the possibility that a couple of guides are worn in the one head also. Same symptoms as stem seals. Seals can be replaced without taking off the heads, guides not so much. Guides are a problem on that motor.
As much as I hate to say it, with one side of the exhaust sooty I would suspect oil going past the rings for some reason. Could be anything from scored cylinder, won't always make it run bad, to the rings rotating on the piston. Rings do move in the glands on the piston. That is why you stagger them around the piston. After a reasonably fresh overhaul that is what I would suspect.
I would run the truck for a couple thousand more miles, checking the oil a lot. By then the rings will rotate some more stopping the problem or you should be seeing some carboned up plugs.
Good luck.
There is the possibility that a couple of guides are worn in the one head also. Same symptoms as stem seals. Seals can be replaced without taking off the heads, guides not so much. Guides are a problem on that motor.
As much as I hate to say it, with one side of the exhaust sooty I would suspect oil going past the rings for some reason. Could be anything from scored cylinder, won't always make it run bad, to the rings rotating on the piston. Rings do move in the glands on the piston. That is why you stagger them around the piston. After a reasonably fresh overhaul that is what I would suspect.
I would run the truck for a couple thousand more miles, checking the oil a lot. By then the rings will rotate some more stopping the problem or you should be seeing some carboned up plugs.
Good luck.
