If 6.2 or a 6.5 needs about 1 additional quart of oil added in between oil change intervals (3,000 miles) to keep it up the proper level, is that considered normal or is it a sign of trouble? I have heard some engines burn a lot of oil and some burn none, what is normal for this type?
thanks,
Paul

One quart between changes is normal for an engine with miles. Yes, some engines don't use a drop, others "drink oil". My truck uses one quart in 2000 miles. My suburban uses none. Dunno, dunno...just what experience tells you. Usually, oil consumption is accompanied by other signs of wear. I.E., rough idle, cold misfires, slightly elevated engine noise. If compression is low, oil consumption will usually go up. As compression rings wear, so do the oil rings. Most customers I talk to, say they have to add a quart once in a while. Most of these are fairly high mileage, early model 6.2's Hope this helps.

If 6.2 or a 6.5 needs about 1 additional quart of oil added in between oil change intervals (3,000 miles) to keep it up the proper level, is that considered normal or is it a sign of trouble? I have heard some engines burn a lot of oil and some burn none, what is normal for this type?
thanks,
Paul

Sounds about right, how many miles on it?
My 6.2 with 500K on it will use between half to three quarters quart between changes. my other 6.2 with who know s how many miles uses about a quart, but most of it is from the passenger side valve cover and turbo drain (ATS turbo kit), doesn;t really appear to burn any.
What kind of oil you using? I have seen engines use oil running Delo400, and not hardly use any running Rotella.
brian.

Yeah it does depend on the engine and what its been through. theres been a few times I have to add a quart and sometimes I dont have to at all.

In my case I noticed it more on highway driving. since I dont have to drive on the interstate anymore, its a rare occurance.

mine actually has very low miles on it, the truck had less than 100k when i bought it and the engine was replaced a few years ago. Probably only about 30K total. So i am a bit surprised to have to add oil to such a new engine. I recently did do a lot of highway driving, maybe that had something to do with it, but i am not sure i understand why it would.
I use two gallons of Rotella and a quart of Lucas oil stabilizer every 3000 miles.
Paul

That is a lot of oil being consumed!!! I would thing you would be getting blue smoke if a seal is not leaking. Is the front seal or the rear main seal leaking? If they aren't then oil is getting past your rings, your valve guides, or maybe both.

cougarjohn,
what i meant was that is how much i add when i CHANGE the oil - 2 gallons rotella plus i quart of lucas. Then, between oil changes, i add another quart or so, depending.
There is no evidence of a leak and no smoke at all, except a quick puff of white smoke when i start up.
Did you think i meant i was adding that much oil in additional to what i was putting in with the changes?
thanks,
Paul

Nine quarts? Mine only holds seven? External cooler? What gives?

i don't know what is different about mine, the previous owner just said 9 quarts so that's what i do. This one is a 6.5, installed to replace the 6.2 but i don't know if that has anything to do with how much oil it holds.
Paul

Greasefire, I dont know if its the same as the 6.2 but is it a 1 quart filter?

Reason being is in place of the standard 1 quart, Im using a 2 quart filter for my truck, so Im using 8 quarts total now.

maybe thats the case plus a ext. oil cooler might push you up to 9. just a guess.

when you change the oil with 9 quarts, does it go above the full line on the dipstick?

Grease Fire: Yes, your second post indicated to me that you were using 9 quarts in 3K miles. I am glad that you aren't. One quart in 3K miles is good. Some times I use one and other times two. I have 225K miles on my engine.