Oil Burning Problem '95 V6

[davidwinegar2]

I own a '95 Contour V6 with 130,000 miles and about a week ago, to my surprise, checked the oil and it was nearly empty. I immediately had it towed to the local Ford repair shop and they could not find any leaks. What they finally determined was that the oxygen sensors where bad and this was causing it to burn oil. They replaced them but now when I run the car to me it looks as though there is too much smoke. It's cold here--about freezing, but I still think that there should not be this much smoke coming from the car. It also smells oily to me.

Any advice on what I should check or have the repair shop check?

David

 

[Imo000]

O2s casuing oil burn?????? It's like saying a burn out headlight will cause uneven tire wear. The two are not even remotelly connected.

I'd love to hear the explanation how they connect the two.

 

[mrutkaus]

Connection is $$$ !

Mike

 

[Tony2005]

I own a '95 Contour V6 with 130,000 miles and about a week ago, to my surprise, checked the oil and it was nearly empty. I immediately had it towed to the local Ford repair shop and they could not find any leaks. What they finally determined was that the oxygen sensors where bad and this was causing it to burn oil. They replaced them but now when I run the car to me it looks as though there is too much smoke. It's cold here--about freezing, but I still think that there should not be this much smoke coming from the car. It also smells oily to me.

Any advice on what I should check or have the repair shop check?

David

Welcome. There is a very good change that your oil filter is loose. The oil burned off and they couldn't find any leaks. Plus the dark spots near the Bank 2 manifold and Y pipe probably made them think it had to do with the O2 sensor. Drive up ramps ($35 from Advance or Autozone) and look under the front.

 

[AliasJerk]

Dingdingding! my money is on what Tony Said, Its extremely common on the duratec to not tighten the oil filter enough, in fact just a couple of weeks ago when we were doing an oil change and trannie swap someone didnt tighten the oil filter enough, it would leak out and burn off on the exhaust manifold.

I dont normally hear of Duratecs physically burning oil, they do USE oil if you run them in the High RPM range, but it shouldnt be any more than a quart between changes (PLEASE remember to check your oil level every week), I dont know why they do this, but every duratec I have ever seen has been that way, I think it has something to do with the fact that they are an all aluminum construction (I know, its a bad explanation).

 

[davidwinegar2]

My thoughts....

My thoughts....

I also thought it awful strange that the oxygen sensors could cause this. My first thought was also the oil filter as when we had it changed the last time they first put on the worn g filter and it leaked like crazy. Then we got that right filter but I now wonder if it was tightened correctly!

Now the thing is we had the damn sensors changed--which cost about $600 and the think is now smoking like crazy with a strange smell in the exhaust--which I have heard can be caused by the sensors.

Any advice now? What should I tell the place that "fixed" it?

David

 

[Tony2005]

.... My first thought was also the oil filter as when we had it changed the last time they first put on the worn g filter and it leaked like crazy. Then we got that right filter but I now wonder if it was tightened correctly!

Now the thing is we had the damn sensors changed--which cost about $600 and the think is now smoking like crazy with a strange smell in the exhaust--which I have heard can be caused by the sensors.

Any advice now? ...

.... There is a very good change that your oil filter is loose. ..... Drive up ramps ($35 from Advance or Autozone) and look under the front.

Buy an oil filter wrench (about $5) and tighten the oil filter.

 

[69Boss302]

1. Trace the leak and make sure that everything is tight.

2. Double check that you have the correct oil filter and that the drainplug is snugly tightened.

3. Read up on how oxygen sensor work and the job they do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_sensor

As was said before, they have nothing to do with an engine using oil. The only ways an engine can lose oil are:

Never had oil to start with

Oil blow by - This is when the oil is pushed past the rings of the piston and then consumed during the combustion process. This happens when the rings (either by being installed incorrectly or wear and tear) do not seal correctly against the block and the pressure inside the combustion chamber pushes oil up past the rings. More than I care to write about blow-by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piston_ring

A seal is broken elsewhere (i.e, a headgasket)

The drainplug is not properly tightened

The oil filter is not properly tightened

The oil filler cap is off, the engine is turned upside down and shaken like a piggy bank.

Then drive the car back to the Ford dealership and see about getting your money back. You were plainly ripped and taken advantage of.

If neccessary, have a lawyer write a letter to the dealership on your behalf. That might be enough to put a little poop in the drawers and get you righted for being wronged.

 

[69Boss302]

I also thought it awful strange that the oxygen sensors could cause this. My first thought was also the oil filter as when we had it changed the last time they first put on the worn g filter and it leaked like crazy. Then we got that right filter but I now wonder if it was tightened correctly!

David

Did that same place replace the oil that leaked out?


You should look at doing your own oil changes from now on.

I suggest using Bosch oil filter #3410 found at most auto parts stores. And for oil, I'd use a 10w30 oil considering the high mileage. Mobil 1 full synthetic would be best. But if you change the oil every 3,000 you shouldn't have a problem with using Havoline or other non-synthetic oils. At least stick to the brand name oils though. Wal-Mart Tech(whatever) is a decent oil to use as well. Rule of thumb, the more abuse the engine sees which is anything really other than constant speed cruise on the interstates, use a better oil. The few dollars extra can help to save thousands of $$$ later.

The tools you'll need are:
15mm wrench for the drain plug
oil filter wrench (I've never used one) If you do get one be careul not to clamp down on the filter and collapse the sides. It takes alot of pressure to do this but it happens.
10qt drain pan
Drive-up ramps -or- a 2 ton bottle jack and 2 jackstands. Never, ever, ever get underneath a lifted car that isn't on jackstands. The day that you have a car fall on you, you'll understand. If you're lucky you'll still be around to appreciate jackstands.
oil filter
6.5 quarts of your favorite oil
paper towels

Most of your parts stores will have a collection tank so you can dispose of your old oil.

So for about $30 an oil change, you can change your own oil and have peace of mind that it's done properly.

 

[eepals]

That is alot of oil to leak out and burn off on the manifolds. The smell in the car from the burning oil should have driven the guy to check whats going on. He's said no leaks were found by the dealer, but with their saying the o2s had something to do with the oil burning I would take the car someplace else.

The engine at that mileage, if it wasn't mantained properly could be burning oil.

 

[FavoriteMystaque]

The only way O2s could cause oil burn is if they were both dead and the car was running way rich, almost flooded, which will thin out oil. Unlikely, however and you would have had a CEL on. If the car was run low on oil, that could make it wear excessively. Make sure the right level of oil is there, and filter is secure. One of my co-workers had lost oil pressure in his ancient Corolla and heard knock, found the old oil filter gasket was stuck to the block, and the new filter did not seal. A dealer did it...

 

[Tony2005]

.....15mm wrench for the drain plug
.....

Make sure you get a 6-point box (closed end) 15 mm wrench. Most stores sell 12-point ones. The 12-point ones will round off your drain plug if the plug is on too tight.

 

[2X95SEs]

Buy an oil filter wrench (about $5) and tighten the oil filter.

Oil filters only need a 1/4 to 1/2 turn after it's seated. Too tight and it will be hard to get off later. Way too tight will damage the gasket and cause a big leak.
Maybe the old gasket from the previous filter is still on the filter pad? I've had some small oil leaks on both tours. Ford replaced my pan gasket under warranty. My wife solved the oil leak on hers by trading it in for a Tribute.
Mobil 1 has a bad habit of sneaking out much more than mineral oil.

 

[Imo000]

Oil filters only need a 1/4 to 1/2 turn after it's seated. Too tight and it will be hard to get off later. Way too tight will damage the gasket and cause a big leak.
Maybe the old gasket from the previous filter is still on the filter pad? I've had some small oil leaks on both tours. Ford replaced my pan gasket under warranty. My wife solved the oil leak on hers by trading it in for a Tribute.
Mobil 1 has a bad habit of sneaking out much more than mineral oil.

Also, oil filters should only be tightened by hand and nothing else. Tighten it by one hand as much as you can and that's it. Use the wrench for removal only.

 

[Nezerconezer]

Also, oil filters should only be tightened by hand and nothing else. Tighten it by one hand as much as you can and that's it. Use the wrench for removal only.

Ditto unless your really really weak that filter isn't going anywhere.