How much oil consumption?

[ffgb]

What is the normal oil consumption with a rebuilt engine and rebuilt head  with about only 2700 miles?  I have put about 1-1.5 quarts in about 500 miles.  This happened when I switch from Rotella 15w-40 to Mobil Delvac 1300 15w-40 about 500 miles ago.  With the Rotella, the oil consumption was about 1/2 qt every 700 miles since the rebuild.

[arnold]

My rebuild engine (block,head and turbo)with now 28.000miles has ZERO oil consumption between the 3000-3500 mile oil change,it will consume some but never drops under the top fill mark,i use castrol gtd oil.

I do remember it using some oil the first 2-3 thousand miles

[jack's lack]

I just drove 1,200 miles to H2O and back. Oil consumption for the trip was 1/4 quart or a cup. This seems to be normal for my rebuild.

[theman53]

I have only ran Rotella 10w-30 and have 700 or so miles on it. I have only used about 8-10 oz in the 700 miles. I used none for 300 and then started running higher RPMs and immeadiately used the 8-10. I have continued to drive in high RPMs and in the last 250 miles I haven't used any. I am going to Rotella 15w-40 at 1,000 miles and hope to not burn any oil for several hundred thousand after that.

When breaking it in I am not letting it idle for really any amount. I am always varying the RPM and try to keep a contant load on the rings. Whether pulling a hill in fourth or fifth or coming down a hill using the engine to hold me back in 3rd. I don't know if it is correct, but I am not using oil so I am sticking with it.

I don't plan on switching to synthetic until about 10,000 miles. I have heard mixed answers about switching on new engine, but 10,000 always seems safe so that is where I plan to do it.

[ffgb]

I wonder if I should switch to 10w-30 because it is a little thinner, maybe help out with ring sealing a little better?  I did an aggressive break-in the first 20 miles to seat the rings, along with varying rpm's to the present.  I wonder if its the Grant rings needing a little more time seating because the machinist who did the block work stated the finishing hone is much finer than usual due to his upgraded machine. Just a thought.

[Dakotakid]

For what it is worth: my VOA trained mechanic friend, who is now a field-mechanic for the local Cateprillar dealer, recently told me that Cat is no longer supplying 15-40 Cat oil on any leased equipment that they are responsible for servicing. This is due to system-wide  higher oil consumption and the mechanics were simply told that the latest formulation of 15-40 is too good at lubing and the rings are pulling away from the walls.

They are now supplying 10-30 Cat oil (year-around) to all equipment and oil consumption has subsided. I had a hard time believing him at first when he said that. Apparently they do no anticipate additional wear in the engines. I keep hoping he will drop off a 55 gallon drum of the stuff at my house..........

[ffgb]

Thanks for the input.  I guess it does make sense, since viewing the Rotella site, the new formulation has decreased engine wear.  I guess it's important that I should of used something like Mobil 5000 10w-30 instead of the Rotella 15w-40 or Mobil Delvac 1300 15w-40 initially.  I used the Rotella because it is conventional, but I'll dump the Mobil Delvac 1300 15w-40 and fill it up with 10w-30 CF oil.  Put about 5000 miles on the 10w-30, then the next oil change maybe put 15w-40 or stick with the 10w-30.  Thank you.