Hi, My into, I am the original owner of a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT, with a 4L, 6 cylinder engine, and close to 280,000 miles. It gets 16 to 18 miles per gallon. I change the oil about every 5000 miles or so using Castrol high mileage oil. Now it's mostly a weekend vehicle use to haul stuff around when needed and not a daily driver. As the engine is getting up the age and mileage, sitting at a stop light, I sometimes notice a slight burning oil smell. It does use about a quart every 5000 miles or so. Now the question, are there any additives I could use that would help with the burning oil and maybe help "tighten" things up a bit? Hoping to get a few more years out of this truck.
No additives will really do anything, just use a good quality oil. A quart every 5000 miles is nothing to be concerned about. What you're smelling could well be just a valve cover leak.
maybe help "tighten" things up a bit?
You could try some oil system cleaner. If the piston rings are caked in deposits, that could help free them up so they seal better. It might also clean too well and lead to more oil burning.
I wouldn't expect miracles. It's a 24yo vehicle with over a 1/4 million miles. The engine is just worn out.
Scotty does have a couple videos on this subject on youtube
