Oil weight for 295k miles on 5.7

Hi. So as stated my truck just hit 295k miles. 2011 CM 4x4. She burns some oil and I have replaced the pcv valve, plugs etc etc and have maintained it very all it’s life. I have always used Mobil 1 synthetic 5-20 but I just got home from a 1500 mile road trip and I’m a quart low. Anyone using 10-30 or so?

 

I am @ 298,000 on my 5.7L, and I still run what the factory recommends (non-synthetic).

I try and change the filter and oil ever 4K, and I may consume 1/2 a quart between changes depending on how I drive.

 

Talk about killing the mood

 

Have you replaced the valve cover gaskets?

 

No. And I just found 2 coils leaking. You think that would cause it? I don’t have the blue smoke on start up or the after idle I’ve seen in other vehicles I’ve had in my lifetime.

 

That seems to be one of the most common causes, and likely such a small leak that there isn’t any detectable smoke

 

I would agree with addressing gaskets first, then reassessing if you're burning oil.... I started burning oil in my Celica 5w-20, but that's a different story and yes I use 10w-30 on that one and it curved it pretty well..... hope this helps you some.. different model same manufacturer sorta.

 

IF you find out motor oil is actually getting past the rings and out the exhaust as vapor (not common for Toyotas), then do what our daddies did: Go to a heavier oil as you are thinking. You already have nearly 300K miles on the truck. If that's the only to get more miles out of her, I say give it a try. I don't think you will break it, or see any ill effects.

The 5W20 you're using is effectively only 5 SAE weight oil until the truck gets up to operating temperature. By the time you've reached normal operating temp, your motor oil viscosity is effectively 20 SAE weight. Going to 10W30 will increase your cranking load slightly, but not significantly if you live in a warm climate.

You can easily justify using 5W30, which will leave your cranking load unaffected, and effectively be 30 SAE weight oil by operating temperature. Theoretically, you could go all the way up to 5W50 in synthetic. I wouldn't go there, but might consider 5W40 or even 10W40 (previously used for decades).

 

Umm...

 

Okay, what? You think I'm getting out over my skis, or...?

Yeah, alright, maybe he be cranking at 7.5 SAE effective weight, subject to ambient temperature.

 

No no... carry on.

 

Why not 5-30? They spec 30w oil for same engine in different countries.

 

I live in south Texas so I know the 30 would be ok. I was just wondering if anyone else that may have a 5.7 that burns, if it helped. I really hope the 2 coil seals are somewhat of the culprit.

 

I love this truck and I want to eventually give it to my son to drive in a few years. I’d like to see 500-600 out of it.

 

Consuming a little oil between changes at this mileage is not a big deal, I'm not worried about racking up the miles on mine, but I would be concerned if it was smoking - it's not.

 

Because we both live in Texas, 5W30 is a step in the right direction IMO. Ambient temps are high enough in Texas, that higher viscosity oil can be beneficial. I converted to Mobil1 EP 5W30 at my change last Spring.

During the last "oil thread", several members had mentioned making the change to 5W30. I was surprised that many had changed, but some are dealing with timing chain noise; the higher viscosity oil seems to help that.

 

I wanna give an update that might help someone in the future. I replaced the valve cover gaskets and the spark plug tube o rings. The burning oil has completely stopped thankfully. 2 o rings were bad numbers 3 and 5. I was burning approximately a quart every 2k miles. I just did the oil change and kept 5w-20 since there’s no more burning. Thanks to all who helped.

 

So little words but so much said.