Just changed my oil about a month ago. Used 8 quarts as recommended.

Almost every time I take a trip that involves an interstate for more than just a few mins (65-80 mph) the oil light will come on solid, not flashing.

I’ll add a quart and it will go away until the next time I have to hit those speeds again.

I live in rural Kentucky so I don’t use interstates everyday, just periodically so it’s not an everyday thing.

No oil puddles or stains in my driveway. No noticeable smoke from engine or exhaust.

Does it just burn a lot of oil at high speeds? Something doesn’t seem right if I have to keep adding a quart every time a take a trip.

Anybody have a direction I can look?

 

Did you secure the top of the oil filter housing correctly after you changed the filter? Are you sure you didn't cross-thread it?

 

I wouldn’t say I’m sure, but it turned all the way until it completely stopped, not just tight, so I assume it seated properly.

I've changed the oil probably 15 times since I’ve owned it, and almost every time I would be wary of over tightening bc I was told the housing could break or something like that. The last time I must’ve just given it an extra quarter turn or something bc I felt it actually stop.

This problem predates the last oil change though so it’s been going on for awhile now.

 

It helps if you include that detail in the message. What the oil light is telling you is that the oil level in the oil pan has dropped too low, as the petrol engine does not have an oil pressure sensor like the diesel engine does. There are a number of valves in the oil system. Two of them are in the oil filter housing, one for overflow and the other to drain the housing when the filter is removed. But if the oil were coming out of the overflow valve it should be visible around the housing and/or that side of the engine. You say you can't find any evidence of the leak? Perhaps what you should do is hit the highway and speed up until the light illuminates and immediately stop and examine under the car and in the engine compartment to see where it is coming from.

 

Thank you for that explanation. I will try that.

Since it’s happening at high speeds, could it be that the housing is cracked or damaged?

 

I'd also check the vacuum pump area, that's a known oil leak point and with dust and dirt could stop it from actually leaking on the ground or the skid plate. Also, the fill amount s/b 7.7 liters but given your issue, a little extra might not be a bad idea for now.

 

I don't know, ThorInc... a lost quart of oil around the vacuum pump would be pretty easy to find, don't you think?

 

Could be. The overflow valve opens at 2 bar, which is about 29 psi. There are other valves in the system, such as the one in the oil pump which opens at 4.5 bar, but if there were a leak at that location inside the oil pan it would be plainly visible on the ground when you drive home.

 

I read his post and he never clearly indicated the time that actually passes before he would need a quart. What I can tell you is I would use a quart in about a month before I fixed the vacuum pump leak and I drove for about two hours+ daily and I check my oil level weekly. If he can't find a leak then he better check his exhaust as well as his coolant since the oil is definitely going somewhere.

EDIT, from memory, I believe @p_gill did replace a nipple/stopper(?) on the oil filter housing but I am pretty sure you would see a leak in and around that area.

 

hmm. The way i read it it's only happening when he hits high speeds, and he only does that occasionally. The rest of the time it's not a problem. That's why i think he has to do it again but instead of driving home, immediately check underneath to see if he can tell where the oil is going. That much oil would make a big puddle if it were coming out of the vacuum pump.

Looking at the exhaust is also a good idea. But it would also indicate a major problem with the engine that should be causing the leak all the time, not just at high speeds.

Btw, racercard, what type and weight of oil are you using?