Hi folks,


Sorry for the newbie post. I did a search and did not find anything immediately related.


I have a '98 SL2 automatic with about 117k miles on it. I've changed the oil with Castrol GTX 5w30 (conventional, not synthetic) every 3-4k since I bought the car brand new. I've noticed during the last two 3k mile cycles that the engine is using about a quart of oil. It really never used much oil at all in the past. Any thoughts on what this might be? Is it common for valve seals to go bad, or rings to wear about this point? The oil is getting pretty ugly by 3k, so I would not be surprised if I am getting significant blow-by. Disappointed, but not surprised.


BTW, I just put a set of KYB GR-2s from SPS on the car to replace the worn out stock struts and they ROCK!! If anyone is considering this as a stock or near-stock repalcement, I highly recommend them (and SPS).


Thanks a lot for the help! Bman

Welcome to the land of Saturn oil consumption. Took longer than
many to get there, but hey, it happens to all of us. Oil control
rings get hung up and stop sweeping the cylinder walls. Valve
seals and valve guide seals also start to fade.



Had very similar behavior on my 95 SC2 -- up to 98K, no oil burning at all. By 115K, > 1 quart per 1,000 mi.



Keep feeding it oil and it will run...and run.....



And don't stretch the oil changes -- if it is ugly before 3K, change it.



Enjoy!



Derf