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2002 Mercury Mountaineer Oil burning (slowly)

Tiny
MBULLION
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 117,000 MILES
Hello,

My 02 Mountaineer AWD V8 is slowly burning oil ( I believe). Over a month, I have lost a quart of oil. I have had the entire underbody inspected and there are no signs at all of any oil leaking nor have I seen any oil leaking on the pavement. The car runs like a champ with 127000 miles but I am worried that the problem could get worse. A side note, it does have oil pressure (gauge in the middle). Suggestions? Oil additives? Or could it be internal engine components?
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 10:21 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It's probably just wear and tear on the engine. You might try a different brand of oil. Many brands produce different results.
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 12:11 PM
Tiny
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I just checked the dipstick. And it's halfway and my mechanic told me that's about half a quart (within a month of it being full).I've always used Oreillys 5w-20 which is what the engine calls for. Any suggestions on a different brand? Thanks! And what are your thoughts on it possibly being a piston ring that's gone bad that is slowly depleting it?
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
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That car calls for 5W30, not 5W20. Just use a name brand like Castrol and not the cheap house brand.

It could be any number of causes.
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
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I take that back. The 4.6 only uses 5W20. I would go to 5W30 anyway.
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
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I've got the 4.6 and the owner's manual says 5W-20.5W-30 for the 4.0. Cap says 5w-20 too.
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
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I just said, that but I would use 5W30 in your case anyway.
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
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Okay. Sorry didn't get that second response from you til now. One last question. Is it absolutely necessary to change the oil filter? It is very hard to get to on the 4.6 at least for me. Or will it be okay?
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Monday, July 22nd, 2013 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
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That depends on how dirty the oil is now. I would probably change it but it's not a critical thing.
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Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 AT 5:17 AM

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