Mustang Miss » 1986 Ford Mustang » Mustangs and oil usage
Mustangs and oil usage
Question:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
——- sounds like a line of bullshit — M. H. Lyle, PE
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Alot of late model Fords, Mustang included, use low friction piston rings. They actually allow for 1 quart lost in approximately 1000 miles to be acceptable. Some cars use oil and some don’t but like I said it is normal for late model Fords. Joe
Response:
: here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the : most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes : through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected : ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by : leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s : everyone’s opinion on this?? I called a dealership here and they told me that they aren’t allowed to do anything until the car eats a quart every 700 miles! I don’t know why they won’t fix the problem, they are getting paid for it, and my car is under warranty! – Scott
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop ——- sounds like a line of bullshit
I wouldn’t say that. This thread has been discussed before and the consensus was that most late model ford V8’s burn about a quart every 3000 miles due to the low tension rings used in production. Some motors can burn up to 1 quart every 800 miles (had a relative with a Grand Marquis who did that since brand new) some less, but the all do it to some extent. Motor oil viscosity also plays a factor in it, as "thinner" oils tend to get past the rings more. I’d say, don’t worry, maybe consider changing to a thicker oil if it really bothers you. I have an 87 GT which consistently used 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles since new; it currently has 120k miles. I also have an 89 lx convertible which uses about 1 quart every 400 miles; it has 189K miles on it, and it sometimes smokes in the morning (worn seals/guides, I assume). I race both cars, the GT almost full time. Both run perfectly and efficiently; I just managed to get 24mpg out of the convertible (3.55 gears!) on my last trip from Gatlinburg. Daniel
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Here is the real question: What is your oil usage history???? 2 quarts in 3000 miles is well within the specs for how ford built them, but it could still be abnormal, based on past usage. My car (89 5.0 sedan) used 0..5 to 1.0 quart every 3000 miles until ford did a head job on it at 40k miles. It then immediatley jumped to 1 quart every 1 k and rose to 1.5 to 2 quarts every 600 miles over the next 12k miles. I received the great party line about it being normal at first (even though it had not done it previously) and when it hit the 1-2 every 600 mile point, Ford claimed it was a bad rear main seal (1-2 quarts every 600 miles and not a drop on the driveway or bottom of the bell housing. Turned out to be incorrectly installed valve guide oil seals (done by ford). Hmm. I digress It could very well be normal for your car. It all depends on what the history of oil usage is on your car. — Bruce Musgrove
Response:
says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop ——- sounds like a line of bullshit
got a reply via email that said "yup the low friction piston rings" allow for the afore mentioned oil consumption. —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Response:
I bought a brand new 1996 mustang, at 1400 miles, right from the dealer my oil light came on. I was a quart low. At around 2200 It did it again, almost a quart low again. I’m now at 3000 miles, and as you said, I have had to put in 2 quarts. Where does this oil go? No leaking, no evident burning. It goes to OIL HEAVEN! Yippe.. http://rickett.alinc.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Response:
: Alot of late model Fords, Mustang included, use low friction piston : rings. They actually allow for 1 quart lost in approximately 1000 miles : to be acceptable. Some cars use oil and some don’t but like I said it is : normal for late model Fords. I hope this is not true. I sure as hell didn’t buy a ~$20K car to have it use a quart of oil every 1K miles. — Edward Kim Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 uucp: …!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism! 1996 Mustang GT White/Black interior 5-speed 1992 Nissan 240SX SE Juniper Green/Tan leather interior automatic
Response:
(Farmboy) writes: I called a dealership here and they told me that they aren’t allowed to do anything until the car eats a quart every 700 miles! I don’t know why they won’t fix the problem, they are getting paid for it, and my car is under warranty! – Scott
It is time you started leaning on them. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Consider arbitration or threatening them with a lawsuit. Keith – 96 GT (Pacific Green, 265 hp @ flywheel) w/ Pro-M 77 MAF, 70MM SVO TB, March Pulleys, 3.73 gears, custom airbox and 3 chamber Flow Masters.
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this??
I have a 1988 5.0 with 115K miles. It used to use/lose about 1QT every 1,800 miles. Basically only freeway driving with 2.73’s in the rear. 65MPH=1,600RPM’s With the 3.27’s I use/lose about 1QT every 1,100 miles. 65MPH=2,000RPM’s. Actually I do drive faster that 65 `sometimes’ – but the oil usage has definitely increased with the increase of engine… Sounds logical enough Duane…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Response:
: (Farmboy) writes:
: I called a dealership here and they told me that they aren’t : allowed to do anything until the car eats a quart every 700 miles! I : don’t know why they won’t fix the problem, they are getting paid for it, : and my car is under warranty! : : – Scott : : : It is time you started leaning on them. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. : Consider arbitration or threatening them with a lawsuit. Problem is, if it really is "low friction piston rings" what can they do? What is there to fix? — Oak Ridge National Laboratory/University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN USA/
Response:
: Alot of late model Fords, Mustang included, use low friction piston : rings. They actually allow for 1 quart lost in approximately 1000 miles : to be acceptable. Some cars use oil and some don’t but like I said it is : normal for late model Fords. I hope this is not true. I sure as hell didn’t buy a ~$20K car to have it use a quart of oil every 1K miles.
Unfortunately, it is very true. This has been the policy since about 1986. Consider it a minor tradeoff for increased performance and gas mileage. Joe
Response:
Alot of late model Fords, Mustang included, use low friction piston rings. They actually allow for 1 quart lost in approximately 1000 miles to be acceptable. Some cars use oil and some don’t but like I said it is normal for late model Fords.
I have also heard this, however my Mustang only burns a slight amount of oil, maybe a 1/4 quart every 2000 miles. Perhaps it is because I have a 302 out of a 1991 Mustang, and maybe the newer 302s don’t burn as much. I have also had an 8psi supercharger on there for almost 3 years now, and surprisingly it hasn’t caused the engine to burn more oil. I wouldn’t find 1 qt per 1000 miles an acceptable figure, even though Ford says it is normal. If mine ever starting using this much oil, I’d have the engine rebuilt. Patrick Gattafoni 87 Mustang GT 95 Trans Am no more winter car 
Response:
: : Alot of late model Fords, Mustang included, use low friction piston : : rings. They actually allow for 1 quart lost in approximately 1000 miles : : to be acceptable. Some cars use oil and some don’t but like I said it is : : normal for late model Fords. : : I hope this is not true. I sure as hell didn’t buy a ~$20K car to have it : use a quart of oil every 1K miles. Yeah, I guess spending $4 every thousand miles on some Mobil 1 is a real ripoff, huh? You must -really- get pissed that the damned thing needs more gas every few hundred miles. —
Response:
Patrick Gattafoni 87 Mustang GT 95 Trans Am no more winter car
What happened to your winter car? Well, at least that leaves you with the 95 TA for a Winter beater. Keith – 96 GT (Pacific Green, 265 hp @ flywheel) w/ Pro-M 77 MAF, 70MM SVO TB, March Pulleys, 3.73 gears, custom airbox and 3 chamber Flow Masters.
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
HI Sean. It doesn’t sound that onerous. Everytime the piston goes back down the cylinder bore, on every stroke, some oil is exposed on the exposed cylinder surface. During the power stroke, it is possible that some oil will be consumed (burned) along with gas/air mixture and lost. Obviously, the amount oil lost this way is (should be) very low. I read once that if on each power stroke, that if one drop of oil was lost per cylinder, that the oil consumption would be in the gallons per thousand miles, not in a quart or less. That the oil control rings can remove enough oil from the cylinder walls that oil consumption is measured by fractions of quarts of oil consumed per thousand miles (in most cases) and not gallons per thousand miles is to me one of the technical engineering feats of the modern age. I do believe, based on my experience, that your engine’s oil consumption is on the high side, but still within spec. To reduce this about all I can think of would be to rebore the cylinders and fit new pistons and rings, hoping the new rings/pistons do a better job of controlling oil consumption than the current ones. Sincerely,
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I bought a brand new 1996 mustang, at 1400 miles, right from the dealer my oil light came on. I was a quart low. At around 2200 It did it again, almost a quart low again. I’m now at 3000 miles, and as you said, I have had to put in 2 quarts. Where does this oil go? No leaking, no evident burning. It goes to OIL HEAVEN! Yippe.. http://rickett.alinc.com here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
HI Benjamin. Oil consumption for new engines can be heavy. Your experience is not out of line. My new ‘96 GT used some oil when brand new and now, with over 8400 miles on it, continues to use some oil — nearest I can tell its about a quart every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Oil consumption is somewhat dependent upon usage conditions. I read in the Ford shop Mustang manual that high speed driving (and one assumes higher than *normal* RPMs), lots of engine idling, can increase oil consumption. Stop driving at high speed, or reduce the amount of idling time, and one could expect the oil consumption to drop. Sincerely,
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought a brand new 1996 mustang, at 1400 miles, right from the dealer my oil light came on. I was a quart low. At around 2200 It did it again, almost a quart low again. I’m now at 3000 miles, and as you said, I have had to put in 2 quarts. Where does this oil go? No leaking, no evident burning. It goes to OIL HEAVEN! Yippe.. http://rickett.alinc.com here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop HI Benjamin. Oil consumption for new engines can be heavy. Your experience is not out of line. My new ‘96 GT used some oil when brand new and now, with over 8400 miles on it, continues to use some oil — nearest I can tell its about a quart every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Oil consumption is somewhat dependent upon usage conditions. I read in the Ford shop Mustang manual that high speed driving (and one assumes higher than *normal* RPMs), lots of engine idling, can increase oil consumption. Stop driving at high speed, or reduce the amount of idling time, and one could expect the oil consumption to drop. Sincerely,
Just another data point… My ‘88 GT has used a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so since it was new (or fairly new, I bought it with 38?k miles on it). Except when a hole rusted through the oil pan, then the oil loss was not mileage related – about a quart a week would drip out of it. Finally the EPA made me fix it 
. Jim
Response:
(Farmboy) writes:
I called a dealership here and they told me that they aren’t allowed to do anything until the car eats a quart every 700 miles! I don’t know why they won’t fix the problem, they are getting paid for it, and my car is under warranty! – Scott It is time you started leaning on them. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Consider arbitration or threatening them with a lawsuit. Problem is, if it really is "low friction piston rings" what can they do? What is there to fix? or UT Oak Ridge National Laboratory/University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN USA/ Guys, Some oil consumption is normal due to the low tension oil rings. Many newer FORD motors have this annoying problem. I’ve seen the problem in the 3.0SHO, the 302, 351, and 460. This occurs in both street and marine motors. Excessive oil consumption in new, low mileage FOMOCO motors is many times due to improperly seated piston rings usually accompanied by glazed cylinders. However, if the rings are seated properly, the oil useage should be minimal (ie. about a quart every 3000 miles). Using more than this should be of conscern and monitored. The dealer is correct, even though the industry standard moves around, the dealer doesn’t have to do anything until the it is DOCUMENTED that the car is using more than a quart of oil every 700 miles. Sorry guys. It’s thier rules, not ours. You can, however, document the rate of oil consumption and work with your dealer’s service manager. Don’t whine. Just present the data you’ve collected. Track the oil usage over 3-5000 miles. A friend of mine just had the cylinders honed and new rings installed in his 30,000 mile SHO curtesy of Ford. They will fix the car if you properly document the problem. If they don’t try another dealer. They know a problem exists with ring break-in/seating in some motors. Talk with the service manager. If that doesn’t work then switch dealers and call Fords customer service 1-800 line. Good luck. -Mike.
Response:
here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s everyone’s opinion on this?? — —- Sean — ‘89 GT Ragtop
Although this post has received sufficient replies, I’m pitching in my $.02 here–I have heard the exact same thing from west coast dealerships, including one that my mom has worked at for 20+ years, with respect to my former ‘83 5.0L and ‘89 5.0L. For some people, the 5.0Ls seem to require the same fuel mixture as a two-stroke engine!! — Mike Clark 1996 SVT Cobra Convertible #693/2510 (Crystal White/White/Saddle Tan) SCOA MCA
Response:
I can verify that the Ford dealerships won’t touch the car until oil burning gets to 700 miles. I’m from Canada and over the years Ford has drastically reduced the ‘line’ where they will repair an oil burning car. I have a 87 Mustang which has blown smoke since day one. It was explained to me by a mechanic friend who works only on Mustangs that my Mustang blows smoke because the rings around the piston are low tension. Ford did this to increase the life of the motor through reducing wear and tear on the piston wall. Of course this meant that slowly, over the course of years, you are probably paying for the cost of a rebuild by having to constantly add oil. As an aside, I believe older Fords, 50s and 60s, it was found to be acceptable of they burned one quart over 5,000 miles!!!!!! Boy have times changed! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : here is one for the opinions.. I took my ‘89 GT Convertible to the : most respected ford dealer in western massachuttes because it goes : through about 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. This highly respected : ford dealer told me that Mustangs are allowed by ford to "lose" (not by : leaking and I have no blue smoke) 1 quart every 1000 miles.. what’s : everyone’s opinion on this?? I called a dealership here and they told me that they aren’t allowed to do anything until the car eats a quart every 700 miles! I don’t know why they won’t fix the problem, they are getting paid for it, and my car is under warranty! – Scott
Response:
They are correct The 5.0s have low tension oil control rings Replace them with some after market fil-fit rings I have done alot of these and they work
Response:
Here is my thoughts. I bought new a still own a ‘87 5L and the car has used 1 quart between oil changes (no more than 2500 miles) since day one. After initial break-in, I now only use synthetic 10W-30. One thing I noticed on my car is the dipstick markings are incorrect. After a oil change (yes I know about the two drain plugs/this would cause the opposite to happen) the oil level is about 1/2 quart short on the stick. If I add the extra oil it returns to the 1/2 quart low mark real soon (over filled crankcase?). This might be the "oil burning problem" you are referring to. Hope this helps