cf...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (M.A. Stewart) wrote:
> Since you have resigned yourself to possibly replacing the motor in
> the distant future, try experimenting with heavier oils (20W50, 20W40,
> 10W40).

Yes I think this is definitely worth experimenting with a little. I
will probably give the Mobil 1 a chance for another six months, then
try a heavier oil.

> Looks like you have nothing to lose. 1200 miles per quart isn't
> great, but its not that bad. At least it isn't 500 miles per quart. Try a
> 20W50 oil for 2000 miles and see if the oil consumption is reduced. Try
> what the other person said, which was a 10W30 oil and the additive
> called "CD-2".

I will research the CD-2, thanks.

> I wonder if that stinkin' dealer just dumped in the cheapest 20W50 or
> straight 40 weight oil he could buy, and told you it was Mobil synthetic.

Yes it is something to wonder about. It was a new car (Nissan) dealer
who of course flips trade-ins. They explained they rarely took such
old cars and sold them off the lot. It could have been the original
owner who possibly added something. Either way, ISTM when a car has
more than say 150k miles, it is all about buyer beware, no? Even with
a 1-owner car. Maybe this is why new car dealers rarely deal (as far
as used car sales on the lot) with cars more than ten years old,
except to auction them elsewhere.

Fortunately, very worst case, if this car should suddenly die on me,
no big deal. I will go chase down another used car, this time more
carefully researched. Though I think it is unlikely it will die; it
really does run well, and I am on top of its maintenance. Meanwhile I
will run some "experiments" as we are calling them at this point and
try to learn more.

Thanks for the input.