burning oil?

[D.C. Benny]

Hey guys. I checked the oil on the classic yesterday and it was very close to the 'low' line on the dipstick and pretty dark. What is strange is that it was just changed about than 100 miles ago. The only driving I've done has been some short 10 -15 mile trips.
I looked for a leak and didn't see anything obvious (I habitually look for leaks anyway and haven't seen a drop from anywhere). So I am assuming that the classic is suddenly burning a lot of oil. If that is the case, what factors would cause that and what do I need to look out for? Up until last oil change it has been running on 10w40 and not burning oil at all. I tried a synthetic blend for one cycle, but then went back to 10w40. Would that have any bearing?

[carlosz]

who did the oil change? are you sure they used the rigth amount of oil?
6.5 to 7.0 quarts depending on filter size.
if you have lost at least 3 qts to bring you down to low line either you have a serious oil leak or a severe oil burn, either one is visible at idle. if leving from a dead stop if should look as if the bat mobile has left a smoke courtain.

[BullDogSix]

1st thought: The synthetic might have cleaned-out/loosened up some crud, and that's why your oil may be darker this time.

2nd thought: The synthetic might also have opened up a leak when it loosened up said crud. If you're not blowing blue smoke then the oil is going somewhere...keep looking.

[p76rangie]

Look at the exhaust pipe. If the black carbon in the exhaust is relatively dry, you are unlikely to be burning oil. If it is gunky (technical term), there is a good chance that excessive oil is heading out.

[D.C. Benny]

Thanks for feedback. I'm gonna check it out in the morning. As of now, no smoke other than the usual little white puff at startup which eventually disappears. Nothing visible at idle or otherwise. I had taken rover to a local guy for a small issue and he did oil change with synthetic blend that he swore was better in the cold weather for high mileage (113k). A bit later, I needed some more substantial work done so I took it to my indie rover guy who took exception to the synthetic and changed it back to 10w40. That was a few weeks ago. Then I check the oil yesterday and its low and dark as hell, so I got a bit worried as I have only driven it on short trips and it never burns oil. I looked for leaks, not a drop. Weird. I'll check out the gunk theory and see if it burns the oil I topped it off with, but it's all pretty mysterious.

[dsfloyd]

Since this is the first time this has happened and you are not seeing smoke or leaking oil, I agree with carlosz. Add oil (the same used last) until it is at the full mark. Drive it for a while (you said you only drove about 100 miles) and check the fluid again. If it is still at the full mark than it probably wasn't filled to the right level. If you don't like the color of the oil then do another change. I know you had someone else do the change last but I would always check levels right after a change (but I have OCD issues).