Is my '99 SC1 burning, or leaking oil?

While driving to a park yesterday I noticed the oil pressure light come on for
just a second. I got to the park, did my hike and when I started to leave I
checked the level. Oil wasn't even touching the dipstick from what I could
tell. I drove it home as long as the oil pressure light stayed off. When I got
it home I fortunately had some mobil-1 ready cos i was going to do an oil change
this weekend. I put a quart in and tested the level - not even touching still.
I went ahead and poured two more quarts in and it was at the top of the full
level then. 3 quarts. It has been < 6000 miles since I changed the oil (I try
to do the 3000 mile change but sometimes it goes over). I haven't noticed any
oil patches on my driveway recently. Today I took the car in to a Jiffy Lube
and had them examine it. They found nothing and no build-up anywhere to
indicate it was leaking. They did notice (and I've noticed it too when I've
been underneath the car) that there is a fine line of oil all around the oil
pan. So, maybe a gasket needs changing, I don't know.

I'm going to keep a sharp eye out all week and see what's up. It's never done
this before but once last year I did tell my dad when i did a change at his
place that it seems like less oil came out of the pan than what I put in.

There is no visible smoke of any sort coming out of the tailpipe. My car has
alway had stellar emissions from the testing facility. I have 129,000 miles on
this car. I intended to get 300,000. I drive it gingerly to maximize gas
mileage. I do regular oil changes and have just recently started doing them
myself so that I can step up and use synthetic stuff and a better quality oil
filter.

It's raining here today but as soon as it dries up I'm putting the car on the
ramps and run it a bit as see if anything comes out. I'd like to hear theories
or suggestions on where to look for possible leaks. Thanks a bunch.

In article >,
says...
> While driving to a park yesterday I noticed the oil pressure light come on for
> just a second. I got to the park, did my hike and when I started to leave I
> checked the level. Oil wasn't even touching the dipstick from what I could
> tell. I drove it home as long as the oil pressure light stayed off. When I got
> it home I fortunately had some mobil-1 ready cos i was going to do an oil change
> this weekend. I put a quart in and tested the level - not even touching still.
> I went ahead and poured two more quarts in and it was at the top of the full
> level then. 3 quarts. It has been < 6000 miles since I changed the oil (I try
> to do the 3000 mile change but sometimes it goes over). I haven't noticed any
> oil patches on my driveway recently. Today I took the car in to a Jiffy Lube
> and had them examine it. They found nothing and no build-up anywhere to
> indicate it was leaking. They did notice (and I've noticed it too when I've
> been underneath the car) that there is a fine line of oil all around the oil
> pan. So, maybe a gasket needs changing, I don't know.
>
> I'm going to keep a sharp eye out all week and see what's up. It's never done
> this before but once last year I did tell my dad when i did a change at his
> place that it seems like less oil came out of the pan than what I put in.
>
> There is no visible smoke of any sort coming out of the tailpipe. My car has
> alway had stellar emissions from the testing facility. I have 129,000 miles on
> this car. I intended to get 300,000. I drive it gingerly to maximize gas
> mileage. I do regular oil changes and have just recently started doing them
> myself so that I can step up and use synthetic stuff and a better quality oil
> filter.
>
> It's raining here today but as soon as it dries up I'm putting the car on the
> ramps and run it a bit as see if anything comes out. I'd like to hear theories
> or suggestions on where to look for possible leaks. Thanks a bunch.

At least Saturns give you an oil light.

PCV valve maybe. Common oil loss problem with inline engines. (only buy
oem pcv valves)

Dont drive without the oil being in the normal operation range on the
dipstick, start carrying extra fluids in the trunk. Make it a habit of
checking your fluids weekly and never rely on gages or lights.

No one does basic automotive care anymore it seems...

Its probably burning it. You're lucky you didn't hurt the engine by letting the
oil get so low......

"Ken Very Big Liar" > wrote in message
...
> While driving to a park yesterday I noticed the oil pressure light come on
for
> just a second. I got to the park, did my hike and when I started to leave
I
> checked the level. Oil wasn't even touching the dipstick from what I
could
> tell. I drove it home as long as the oil pressure light stayed off. When
I got
> it home I fortunately had some mobil-1 ready cos i was going to do an oil
change
> this weekend. I put a quart in and tested the level - not even touching
still.
> I went ahead and poured two more quarts in and it was at the top of the
full
> level then. 3 quarts. It has been < 6000 miles since I changed the oil
(I try
> to do the 3000 mile change but sometimes it goes over). I haven't noticed
any
> oil patches on my driveway recently. Today I took the car in to a Jiffy
Lube
> and had them examine it. They found nothing and no build-up anywhere to
> indicate it was leaking. They did notice (and I've noticed it too when
I've
> been underneath the car) that there is a fine line of oil all around the
oil
> pan. So, maybe a gasket needs changing, I don't know.
>
> I'm going to keep a sharp eye out all week and see what's up. It's never
done
> this before but once last year I did tell my dad when i did a change at
his
> place that it seems like less oil came out of the pan than what I put in.
>
> There is no visible smoke of any sort coming out of the tailpipe. My car
has
> alway had stellar emissions from the testing facility. I have 129,000
miles on
> this car. I intended to get 300,000. I drive it gingerly to maximize gas
> mileage. I do regular oil changes and have just recently started doing
them
> myself so that I can step up and use synthetic stuff and a better quality
oil
> filter.
<snip>

You might want to check your coolant to see if any of your oil has gotten
into it.