Missing oil.

[Panzer07]

Ok here is the deal every time I change my oil, i put in 6 quarters as specified in the manual. however every time i pull the oil-plug and drain the oil i only get 5 quarters.....so it leaves me wondering where does the additional quarter oil goes/is ???:whaa:

i check all around the engine area and there's no visible oil spills or leaks, so i don't know if maybe whenever u drain the oil, only 5 quarters come out and 1 quarters stays in, but even with this theory the numbers doesn't add.
i been using full synthetic Royal Purple SAE 5W-30 since I got my 3.

Anyways, So the only remaining theory a friend mentioned is that it evaporates since synthetic oils are so thin and what not, yet still it makes no sense.
so if you guys could enlighten me with some knowledge about this I'll appreciate

 

[a0128]

Your oil filter holds roughly a quart. This would account for the missing 6th quart.

 

[Panzer07]

Your oil filter holds roughly a quart. This would account for the missing 6th quart.

Even accounting the oil in the oil-filter it just adds up to 5 quarts tops if so.

 

[06 H3]

Check the hose on the valve cover that connects to the air intake...is it oily?

 

[Dennis]

Your oil filter holds roughly a quart. This would account for the missing 6th quart.

That would do it..Also, every internal combustion engine that uses oil in the crankcase will consume small amounts of oil in it's operation...to say that an engine doesn't burn a drop of oil is a fallacy, they ALL burn a little oil and it's perfectly normal.

 

[Panzer07]

Check the hose on the valve cover that connects to the air intake...is it oily?

I Did That Chris, Everything Looks Good, And Pretty Clean. I As Well Cleaned everything pretty good this time after replacing the oil-plug for the Oil-valve, so I'll check again in a week or so, to see if there's any leaking or stains. also I should have mentioned no oil light has come ON...thru all this time and when I check my the oil dip stick it shows Good On oil levels...I Might Just Be Over Thinking All this, However That 1 quarter Which Is Always Missing It's Been Bothering Me... But Who Knows Like Dennis Mentioned Maybe The Engine Is Burning Some Of The Oil...I'll Just Keep An Eye For Spills, And Oil Levels.... I Change My Oil Every 3 Months Or So...Never Let Get Go Past "65% Oil Life Remaining" On The Monthly OnStar Report I Get From Them.

 

[Panzer07]

That would do it..Also, every internal combustion engine that uses oil in the crankcase will consume small amounts of oil in it's operation...to say that an engine doesn't burn a drop of oil is a fallacy, they ALL burn a little oil and it's perfectly normal.

That Also What My Friend Said...He Said It Is Common For Those Who Use Synthetic Oil To Drain lower Levels Of Oil During The Oil Change. But I'm Not Sure... Anyways Thanks For Your Info.

 

[alrock]

Do you check the dipstick before you do an oil change? It would be beneficial to know if the oil is gone before the oil change was started vs. if it mysteriously disappeared during the oil change?

 

[Panzer07]

Do you check the dipstick before you do an oil change? It would be beneficial to know if the oil is gone before the oil change was started vs. if it mysteriously disappeared during the oil change?

I do, as well I do a all fluid and a military Like PMCS every week just to make sure everything is good.

 

[DaWgPoUnD]

Torres...I believe you cause I have the same predicament. I am OCD when it comes to watching for leaks and such...but I have the EXACT same thing happen everytime I change my oil. Always shows full...never drops on the stick..6.25 qts in...always 1 FULL 5 gallon container out. Granted...I you always have residual in the pan that I clean up after and some residual in old filter and such...but not enough to close the gap.

 

[cbetts]

I think runs off and disappears with my socks when I do laundry.

 

[LagunaH1]

I think runs off and disappears with my socks when I do laundry.

Good point. Be sure to check for CBetts' socks when you clean your oil pan :giggle:

 

[f5moab]

That would do it..Also, every internal combustion engine that uses oil in the crankcase will consume small amounts of oil in it's operation...to say that an engine doesn't burn a drop of oil is a fallacy, they ALL burn a little oil and it's perfectly normal.

For once, I'll totally agree with Dennis. If your engine did not use oil, your rings would be sliding on dry cylinder walls. Should not be much oil, but it will use a small amount. And for those who check their oil first thing in the AM, remember, a hot engine shut down at night, means when the engine cools, there will be condensation in the oil the next AM. And it is hard to see on a dipstick if you check in the AM then check again after a 2 hour hot drive. The difference might be only 1/16 to 1/8 difference on the stick.

As for a statement, "He Said It Is Common For Those Who Use Synthetic Oil To Drain lower Levels Of Oil During The Oil Change." I say BS. In the old days, prior to modern type seals, this might have been true on old engine. But the fact is as dino oil is used its viscosity additives burn off, thus reducing the oil to a lower weight, while syn oils retain their viscosity and newer seals are not a problem with syn oil.

Two ways to see if it is the syn oil. One is go back to regular oil for one oil change. The other is to cut your oil change length in half and see if you go form one quart missing to one half quart missing.

You could be burning some oil through worn rings. To lose a quart should show even a leak at the rear main seal.

 

[Panzer07]

For once, I'll totally agree with Dennis. If your engine did not use oil, your rings would be sliding on dry cylinder walls. Should not be much oil, but it will use a small amount. And for those who check their oil first thing in the AM, remember, a hot engine shut down at night, means when the engine cools, there will be condensation in the oil the next AM. And it is hard to see on a dipstick if you check in the AM then check again after a 2 hour hot drive. The difference might be only 1/16 to 1/8 difference on the stick.

As for a statement, "He Said It Is Common For Those Who Use Synthetic Oil To Drain lower Levels Of Oil During The Oil Change." I say BS. In the old days, prior to modern type seals, this might have been true on old engine. But the fact is as dino oil is used its viscosity additives burn off, thus reducing the oil to a lower weight, while syn oils retain their viscosity and newer seals are not a problem with syn oil.

Two ways to see if it is the syn oil. One is go back to regular oil for one oil change. The other is to cut your oil change length in half and see if you go form one quart missing to one half quart missing.

You could be burning some oil through worn rings. To lose a quart should show even a leak at the rear main seal.

I just did my oil change yesterday, and I'm tented on draining the oil in a a month or sooner to see if there any change or even drain the oil again right after putting it in.

im gonna get to. The. Bottom of this.


THANK U EVERYONE FOR YOUR RESPONSES.

 

[LagunaH1]

I'd suggest you start by keeping a close eye on the oil level on the dip stick under similar conditions. -That way it might not be necessary to drain the oil just for the sake of measuring it.