[kmack]

Well, we've had our "new to us" Mustang for almost 3 months now. Checked the oil the other day and I almost fainted. Not even a drop on the stick! Topped it off for the moment, but it is troubling me now. I've never seen a motor go through that much oil in such a short time. Even one that was known to consume oil. There are no signs of exterior leakage anywhere on, above or underneath the engine. There is also no visible smoke from the exhaust either at start-up, idle or driving down the road (followed the wife to make sure).

I'd like to believe that Carmax just screwed up on the level before we bought the car, but that also leaves me with concerns. Like what else did they forget to replace correctly?

Has anybody ever had problems with the 3.8L burning oil or otherwise having oil loss problems? I'll be keeping an eye on things closely from now on.

(edit) Sorry, car is a '96 3.8L V6

[Scottyboy]

Check your plugs to see if they are covered in oil.

[311-420]

nothing on the ground and nothing coming out of the exhaust means there wasnt any oil in the car to begin with...THAT could cause your car to start using oil though..

[drawlin]

the single ports are known for head gasket issues. i would sugest going to a shop that does emisions testing and ask them to use their snifer machine on the radiator. if they find anything, that could be your problem.

[Nite-Mare]

No drips and no smoke = Car max

[keg65]

this isn't one of those dual sump problems is it?

I remember a similar thing on my 5 liter, I'd just change the oil and the next time I would check, it would be out, but I know it is in there, just not where the dip stick is.

[rambozotheclown]

werd. that has carmax written all over it.

btw, kmack- you still got yer Z?
<---eek97lipse on SASCA

[kmack]

Originally Posted by rambozotheclown

werd. that has carmax written all over it.

That's kind of what I was thinking and afraid of. In order to keep up the warranty, we have to have Carmax service the vehicle. I guess I'll just have to double check all the work they do. Might as well do it myself then.

btw, kmack- you still got yer Z?
<---eek97lipse on SASCA

Yeppers! She is sitting in the garage waiting for me to find some time to drop the 280 motor in for a little extra umph! Been too busy with work. I also need to get some new tires so I can come back out and autocross again. Soon.....very soon.

[kmack]

Had the car at CarMax this week to fix a fuel leak on the gas tank. They found the timing chain cover gasket was leaking. I guess that would cause a noticable drop in oil level over a few thousand miles, even though no oil was ever noticed under the car.

Anyway, gotta love only paying $50 for over $685 worth of parts and labor!

We'll see how the oil level keeps up now. And yes, I did check to see that oil was in the block.

[machoman013]

Why do you have to pay even in the first place?

[kmack]

CarMax's extended warranty is actually more like an insurance policy. So you end up having to pay a deductible. Totally free would have been better, but in the grand scheme of things, $50 isn't bad.