Other than the filter, should I maintain oil changes on a car that burns oil where I am adding a quart every 6-8 weeks?
I own a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox with automatic trans and 78K miles. Approximately 6 months ago it started burning oil and subsequently was diagnosed with a plugged PCV valve, which on the Equinox is located internally beneath the intake manifold. I removed the manifold cleaned the plugged PCV hoping it would solve the oil loss problem but unfortunately the damage was done. So, I am adding a quart of oil every 6-8 weeks. My question is twofold 1) Other than the oil filter, should I continue with the prescribed oil changes even though the oil is constantly being replenished? 2) There appears to be gunk built up on the cam shaft as seen through the oil fill hole which I am assuming accumulated when the PCV was plugged. Does it make since to flush the engine to clean out the sludge? I am 50/50 on this issue thinking that gunk in your engine is detrimental to the internals and therefore need to be removed but apprehensive also, thinking that the sludge may be helping to plug the leak. I know this can be true with flushing transmissions not so sure about engines.
What do you get when you add a quart of clean oil to 4 quarts of dirty oil?
Answer: 5 quarts of dirty oil.
Keep changing the oil. You might want to try the ATS Carbon Clean product that Scotty has talked about, it may help if rings are stuck due to carbon buildup.
sludge isn't good leak or no leak.
oil burning is caused by worn piston rings. Sludge will make them worse not better.
Additive can help get rid of sludge, but it probably won't touch any stubborn varnish baked onto the camshafts.
You could probably extend your change interval a little bit, but not much. You need to drain out the crap that is still going to collect in the bottom of the pan.
