oil consumption 2001 PT Cruiser

[capeto]

Hi all:
I have a 2001 PT cruiser (70K miles) that has an excessive oil consumption problem, about 1 quart per 1000 miles.
I have thoroughly checked that there's no oil leak. So it's definitely being consumed by the engine in one way or another.
Now, I am quite baffled because there's no blueish smoke coming out the tail pipe (ever) and car runs great.
Any ideas out there ?

[mopar_man]

When was the last time the PCV valve was changed? That's probably part of the problem but I can't see it being bad enough to use a quart every 1000 miles. That's BAD. Even my wife's '94 Crown Vic with 170k+ miles on it that leaks and has practically no valve seals left burns less than that.

[quicksilverdon]

I remember reading a long time ago that there's a baffle under the valve cover that was put on backwards on some '01 PTs....
That would mean it always used a lot of oil - did it?
Not much help, I know...

[Mean Green]

People have been complaining about oil consumption since the PT came out. My '01 did the same thing and it never leaked. Her '04 is just about the same. Doesn't do any good to compare it to other cars because there is no comparison. PTs just like to consume oil. If you are still concerned then go to a shop and have them put the dye in. They can then check for leaks with a black light. That's how I found the valve cover gasket leaking on the '04. No leaks now and it consumes a quart of oil every 1k-3k.

[CREWZIN]

One quart per 1000 miles and no smoke almost has to be a leak. I know you say it's not but is that because there's no oil on the ground or did you or someone do a really good search?

A search gives loads of owners complaints about loosing oil and most come back to some sort of leak. I go 5,000 between changes now with long life Mobil 1 and it's never missing a drop between changes.

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

One quart per 1000 miles and no smoke almost has to be a leak. I know you say it's not but is that because there's no oil on the ground or did you or someone do a really good search?

A search gives loads of owners complaints about loosing oil and most come back to some sort of leak. I go 5,000 between changes now with long life Mobil 1 and it's never missing a drop between changes.

The dye procedure is the only way to really find leak(s).

Even my '05 SRT-4 consumes some oil between changes (6K miles) and the car only just reached 39k. Not missing even a drop of oil between changes is hard to believe. All cars consume some oil.

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Not missing even a drop of oil between changes is hard to believe. All cars consume some oil.

Sorry MG. Not enough drops missing to even register on the dip stick. I check the oil, trans fluid and air pressure at least once a month on all my cars. Even the spare tires get checked every 6 months.

[capeto]

thanks for the feedback

to check for oil leaks:
i let the car idle for 15 mns (mixing in some prolonged 2,500 rpm runs) .. then let it sit for another 15 mns.
all under cardboard and there was no sign of oil. I'd think that a leak of that magnitude would be showing on the ground.

i'm gonna check the pcv system which if plugged could cause internal oil leakage, but after that, don't know what to do. live with it i guess.

i've also heard about the valve cover issue but was told a newer design fixed the problem. not sure about this since i read it on the internet

thanks all for replying.