DeTomaso Mailing List: June 97, Message #141
     



From: Charlie McCall <charliemccall@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>

Subject: Lost Oil

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 00:37:00 +0000



        I have a minor problem I am hoping someone can help me with. Last

weekend I took a 700-mile round trip in my Pantera, had a blast. The only

advantage to me temporarily living in South Dakota is that there really are

darn few cops, and there are a lot of roads. That means that if you pick

your route carefully, you can spend an hour or more at 120mph and not have

to worry about anything but low-flying birds. I remember Shane's comments

after driving from Vegas (I think) about what an experience these cars are.

The temp gauge never budged, the car felt rock solid at any speed. But i

digress.



The one problem I did have is that I noticed that my oil pressure slowly

started dropping. I was driving out in the middle of nowwhere, so I couldn't

stop and check oil levels or anything right away. By the time I found a

service station, my engine was sounding absolutely terrible, with a loud

"clacking", almost reminicent of a (loud) VW beetle or something. I checked

my oil level and found it down a quart. OK, add a quart and go on my merry

way, my engine once again sounding like the mean motor that powers the P.



About 150 miles later, the same symptoms. Dropping oil pressure, stop, loud

clacking noise from motor, add oil, noise goes away and pressure goes back

to where it belongs. 



Where's all this oil going? I have noticed no oil underneath (and I have

been looking ever since I replaced my transaxle oil with synthetic - my

garage floor is 100% dry!), I notice no clouds of smoke upon starting, so I

don't believe I am burning a quart every hundred miles or two, what are the

other options? My car has 33,000 miles on it, not real high mileage. 



If I cracked a head gasket I would expect coolant loss, and that level is

fine (I think). Again, I appreciate the help.

Charlie McCall

1972 Pre-L #3874





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