mystery oil lose

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 22 Apr 2011, 15:52

my daughters 02 Picassooooo 1.8 16V,

we checked the oil'io last week before heading into Froggy country,

and discoverd the oil level was just on the very tip of the dip stick,

we had to put in 2.5lt's to bring it back to the corect level,

this is the engine i fitted which we did oil and filter on fitting,

there is not a spot of oil showing underneath and all the way through out our holl's over the last week with me following up the rear gaurd absolutly no sign of smoke,

once my daughter calculates the miles she has done since we put it on the road i will add them to the thread,

the lump we took out was reported to be useing extream amounts of oil too,

that engine also had exccesive thick wet sticky black goooo throughout the induction ways and sensor's,

is this a common fault with this engine,

regards malcolm

spider · Post by **spider** » 22 Apr 2011, 16:11

I think they do use oil.

I had to put just under 4 litres (yes really) into a 406 once as the customer brought it in saying it was a bit noisy

, they were under the impression the 20k / 2 years meant they did not need to ever check it.

The XU though, they should only really eat oil to any real 'problem' level if they are driven hard.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 22 Apr 2011, 17:10

i have never seen a healthy engine use that much oil in such a short period,

its only been a few months and not a massive mileage,

regards malcolm

spider · Post by **spider** » 22 Apr 2011, 17:29

Do these have the undershield ?

I wonder if its being caught on that a bit as they are a bit absorbent.

I think if it was being burned, even via the breather you'd see it (probably, even with a cat)

Whip air filter out to check its not being 'treated' with oil fumes.

Not really sure what else to suggest if its got a clean exhaust (emission check might be revealing if possible) and no sign underneath. I cannot see it getting into the coolant system really, although probably worth a peek in the coolant tank to double check.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 22 Apr 2011, 17:38

I'd defo try a higher viscosity class on the oil.
Thats the common cure for oilioholics.

Especially the commonly recommanded 5W30 / 5W40 oil seems to make many cars oilioholics.

Try a 10W40, 15W40 or 15W50
Satisfaction guaranteed ...

Chlorate · Post by **Chlorate** » 22 Apr 2011, 21:52

Pity about the unusually good weather really...
My motor drank oil mysteriously not long ago, wasn't leaving a puddle and wasn't smoking.
Noticed it was an external leak when it was raining, left a nice trail of oil sheens on the wet road.
Checked the cam seals? They wouldn't leak too much when the engine is switched off, probably not enough to leave a puddle at least.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 22 Apr 2011, 22:23

no undertray and looking under the engine everything is bone dry, even up the back of the engine when looking up from underneath,

Adam
it is running on 10/40 and has been on the road with this engine for a few months now,

and the coolant is still clean and very blue as it was when installed,

regards malcolm

addo · Post by **addo** » 22 Apr 2011, 22:34

Some engines burn oil cleanly.

A quick Google will show the Alfalfa Twin Spark is good at this; I've eyeballed inside the front cats of mine and no sooting at all - yet it's effectively running a 5000:1 two stroke blend...

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 22 Apr 2011, 22:36

Its worth checking the oil breathers are clear too.

D

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 24 Apr 2011, 18:02

well we have worked out the mileage the Pisscassoooo has done since we put it on the road, it is 6402.5 in 6 months,

and since topping it up with 2.5lt's it has gone down to half way between the max and min mark on the dip stick in about 600ish miles in the last week,

regards malcolm

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 24 Apr 2011, 21:17

Thats close to the commonly accepted 1L/600 mile oil consumption.

Taking into account, that you have a double set of leaky soupapes on a 16V, it may not be that mysterious at all.

Me thinks this engine has got the same problem as its predecessor : worn intake valve stem seals.
And you'we got 8 of them to go ...

But as you surely know :
Shoemakers wife, and smiths horse

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Apr 2011, 21:27

AndersDK wrote: But as you surely know :
Shoemakers wife, and smiths horse

That'll be right Anders

It applies to every trade known... You should see the ratty old computer I use here. It has a dying cooling fan and is now very noisy...

I agree with your diagnosis. As you say, it's not that excessive really and for an old BMC 'A' series it would be seen as positively frugal!!!

At least you know it burns oil Malcolm and you can keep an eye on it and keep it topped up. Trouble comes when you don't know and it starts to put its warning light on going round corners. My lad once hastened the death of his old Fiesta like that...

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 25 Apr 2011, 09:42

i think the trouble will be when it get the probe shuved up its rear end for its MOT next week,

regards malcolm

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 06 May 2011, 21:05

big supprise today on its MOT passed with flying colours,

even the emissions were very good,

and just two advisory
(1) nail in N/S/F tyre
(2) N/S/F tyre worn on outside edge,

$\:D/$

regards malcolm

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 06 May 2011, 21:15

thats exellent news!

D