6.4 Hemi Oil Consumption. How Much Oil Burn Is OK For Hemi?

The 6.4 Hemi engine is pretty strong and reliable but not perfect. It has powered many flagship Chrysler, RAM, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles for over a decade now. The engine has its set of issues that we’ll mention later in this post.

Our main topic of discussion is the engine’s oil burn issue. Suppose you just checked your dipstick on your Hemi with 4500 miles after oil change. The oil change sticker is due at 6000 miles. So, you have 1500 miles to drive but the dipstick reads below the "add" oil mark.

Well, that could be a sign of your Hemi engine’s oil burn. Is this normal? Some say that it’s part of the engine specs. But how much oil burn is OK? Let’s find out. 

How Much Oil Burn Is OK For Hemi 6.4?

Some 6.4L Hemi engine owners claim that they haven’t heard the problem of oil burn. We talked to several people and here’s what one of them told us:

"I check the level regularly and do an oil change at 5000 miles. It’s at 2000 miles right now so I have 3000 miles to go. The oil is slightly below the word SAFE on the dipstick. Interestingly, it has used less than a half quart so far assuming it was full on the dipstick when I changed the oil." 

However, others report abnormal consumption. So, what’s the normal oil burn? Well, the industry standard is ONE quart of oil per 1,000 miles below 50,000 miles and ONE quart for every 750 miles above 50,000 miles.

There have been reports that newer 6.4s are burning oil in the first 10,000 miles or thereabout. No rule or spec says burning a quart per 1000 miles is okay. The engine ought not to burn any oil. 

Someone told us that their 6.4 Hemi engine stopped burning oil at 18,000 miles. The person wondered if that had something to do with the internal PCV system and wouldn’t explain why the oil burn stopped. It’s common for newer Hemi engines to consume oil due to the use of tighter ring packs based on our experience. 

The tighter ring packs generate less drag in the cylinder walls, which helps enhance miles per gallon. An engine tends to burn more fuel after driving and allowing it to sit – the rings get to high temperatures and then cool. However, this might not be the only reason. Another reason could be your driving habits. 

Generally, we concluded that these engines will burn some oil before they adopt fully and then stop after that. If you try pursuing the manufacturer, you’ll get an answer like "It’s normal" or "No problem found". So, should we accept that this is part of the specs?

How To Fix 6.4 Hemi Abnormal Oil Burn 

What if your engine burns more oil than what’s normal? Is there something you can do to solve this problem? 

You can take your car back to the manufacturer if the warranty is still in tack. Don’t try repairing it yourself. The dealer should check and repair any problem that could be causing the abnormal oil consumption. 

If your engine is old, you may consider selling the vehicle and buying one with a newer engine. Using high-quality oils can also reduce the probability of your engine burning too much oil.   

How Many Miles For a 6.4 Hemi Engine?

Mileage is always the first thing to know before buying a car. The reliability of the 6.4 Hemi engine is above average. It offers decent mileage that guarantees value for money. Averagely, you can expect up to 300,000 miles from your stock engine.

This is good news if you’re planning to buy a used Hemi. But, is it a good idea to buy used? What are other problems you can expect to be up against? We talked to several people who after many years of ownership, pointed out the issues we’ve discussed below.

Common Issues Of The 6.4 Hemi Engine

Transmission Failure

Transmission failure isn’t a regular problem in the 6.4 Hemi engine. However, it’s a commonly reported issue. Symptoms include the following:

• Delayed gear shifts
• Check Engine Light active
• Missing gears
• High revving/slipping transmission
• Transmission fluid leaks
• Loss of power
• Humming or buzzing noises
• Constant burning smell

The cause of this problem is usually low transmission fluid or transmission leaks. To troubleshoot the issue, find the dipstick, remove and wipe it clean, put it back and out again. Check for the fluid’s level, color, and smell. You should call a transmission specialist if you notice a dark brown color or burnt smell.

Power Control Failure

The engine control unit of a vehicle can be very complex and sometimes it is hard to know when it fails. But there are many symptoms of power control failure. You need to be aware of every small change in your vehicle’s performance. Check for these signs:  

• Failure to start
• Active Check Engine Light
• Intermittent Cylinder issues

The most effective way of resolving this problem is by carrying out routine maintenance on your engine. Inspect the oil levels regularly. We also recommend using the right oil – see our next section below. 

Ticking Problems

Ticking issues are also common with the 6.4 Hemi engine. There are many possible reasons for this, including valve chatters due to wrongly-sized valve stems. That leads to the ticking sound that we usually hear.  

Incorrectly working injectors, poor quality fuel, and stuck lifters grinding against the camshaft can also cause this issue. Proper, regular maintenance is the solution to all these problems. You should avoid waiting for your engine to develop serious issues to take it for service. 

That can be costly. Instead, ensure you take the vehicle to the service bay even when you don’t suspect any problem. Replace individual parts that wear down after covering a certain mileage. 

Electrical Problems

It’s another commonly reported problem with the 6.4 Hemi engine. Electrical issues directly affect the overall performance of the vehicle. That’s because features like the cameras and radio require electricity to run. When the electricity goes down, these features go down too and that can very frustrating. 

Electrical problems can get worse and interfere with the vehicle’s speed control units. Make sure that you contact a specialist anytime you notice something unusual. Regular check-ups can also help ensure that everything is okay and your engine is always performing optimally. 

Best Oils For the 6.4 Hemi Engine

You must know the best oil brands for your 6.4 Hemi engine if you’re going to do oil changes on your own. You don’t want to use something that can get you into trouble with your engine. So, what are some of the best oils to buy?

1. 0W-40 Oil

It’s one type of oil that many 6.4 Hemi engine owners use. Note that there might be cheap 0W-40 oil out there on the market. You have to make sure that you buy quality oil to keep your engine’s warranty in tack. 

The oil you get must meet the FCA spec and utilize an OEM filter. Find good-quality 0W-40. Save the receipts in case a problem comes up. 

2. Pennzoil Ultra-Platinum

Dodge recommends Pennzoil Ultra-Platinum. If you want, you can find this oil at a reasonable price from reliable sellers like Amazon. The only issue with Pennzoil is its high cost compared to other types. 

3. Mobile I

It’s also great oil that the 6.4 Hemi engine’s dealer recommends. Unlike the #2 mentioned above, this oil is affordable. It’s also easy to find on many reputable stores online. The oil is reliable and has been on the market for decades now. 

Nevertheless, many studies have shown that brand isn’t important provided you use the right oil. Many oils get good reviews and the above are some of them.

Conclusion

The 6.4 Hemi engines are solid and reliable. Oil burn is a common problem with these engines. Though it’s not a very serious issue, it can still cost you a lot of money in the long run. It’s considered a part of the spec. 

Some people report no oil burn issues. Others report low consumption and yet others report abnormal oil burn. The industry standard for the 6.4 Hemi engine oil burn is 1 quart of oil per 1K miles below 50K miles and 1 quart for every 750 miles over 50K miles. 

This engine has an average mileage of up to 300,000 miles. Other common issues you can expect to experience are transmission failure, electrical problems, and tick issues. Ensure you use proper oil to ensure your engine runs optimally. Some of the recommended oils for the 6.4 Hemi include Pennzoil Ultra-Premium, Mobile 1, and 0W-40.