Where does the oil go?

[MellowYellow]

Just finished my 3rd oil change on my 04 TJ. Every time I've only gotten 5 quarts, or a little less, of dirty oil out of the engine. I keep a check on the oil level and I add a total of about a quart between changes. I know a little stays in the filter, but where is the rest?

 

[Rob5589]

Filter, probably burns a little.

 

[Chris]

It's probably burning some oil, no doubt.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Yes Mellowyellow you're burning some oil if you're not leaking any out. Actually you're probably burning some even if you do have a leak.

One quart per oil change really isn't something to get too worried about. No body loves it but it can happen to any engine as it ages and even quicker when randomly abused. Just keep an eye on it.

Unless I was going to do something like towing or some major off-roading I probably wouldn't add anything until the level was near (not on) the bottom line of the dipstick. I had a couple vehicles that hit that level around the scheduled oil change time/mileage and would end up with whole oil changes instead of some oil added. I'm not giving advise, just sharing some experiences.

 

[bromel]

Does it smoke slightly at idle, or do you smell a faint trace of oil when in traffic? Could be your valve seals going. Technically replaceable without removing the head. It happens with the 4.0s occasionally.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

I may be missing his point but isn't he wondering why he can only get 5Qts in a 6Qt system. If so the filter will hold some and the rest is making its way down. A small amout will be captured in various low spots on the motor as well.

 

[MellowYellow]

I may be missing his point but isn't he wondering why he can only get 5Qts in a 6Qt system. If so the filter will hold some and the rest is making its way down. A small amout will be captured in various low spots on the motor as well.

Exactly! I was trying to figure out how to re-word my question. Dipstick shows full, or close to it, but only 5qts come out. May be normal, just a little confusing. Thanks.

 

[greenliftedtj97]

Plus you have to figure all the oil that is still clinging to engine internals and oil pan. bet if you could scrape all that out, it would probably be half a quart also.....

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

As for the replies about burning oil they come from this part of the original post:

... I keep a check on the oil level and I add a total of about a quart between changes...

I may be missing his point but isn't he wondering why he can only get 5Qts in a 6Qt system...

I didn't quite recognize his original post as you did but I do believe you are right about the main question.

Considering how small the filter is I would think that any oil trapped anywhere while draining wouldn't add up to a whole quart which would lead me to make sure my dipstick was reading correctly.

As long as it's right I'd say I wouldn't worry too much about any of it.