Oil Usage / Oil Topup

[pj_andrew]

Petrol 2.3 Ghia ('02). 43K

 

Checked the oil last night and it was nowhere to be seen ! Not a spec on the dipstick. Very concerned.

 

Most unusual as I check it every few weeks and I've never had to add oil before in the last 3.5 years.

 

Put in 1 litre of 5W30 and that brought the level up to midway between Min and Max.

 

To be fair since I last checked we did 1000 miles to France and back, followed by 600 miles to Yorkshire and back in the space of a week. It's doing another 600 miles to Yorkshire and back this weekend.

 

The car is usually used as an around town runabout doing 6-8000 miles a year.

 

Anything to worry about?

[Andrew T]

Yes, I'd be very concerned. ours hardly uses a drop at 140K!

 

Are you sure it was filled up to the Max at the last service?

 

Are you sure the correct vicosity of oil was used? If was too thin it may escape past the piston rings.

 

I presume you would have noticed a leak on the ground, but have you checked the engine side of the undertray for evidence of a heavy leak?

 

Any grey exhaust smoke or an oily smell to the exhaust?

[pj_andrew]

Yes, I'd be very concerned. ours hardly uses a drop at 140K!

 

Are you sure it was filled up to the Max at the last service?

 

Are you sure the correct vicosity of oil was used? If was too thin it may escape past the piston rings.

 

I presume you would have noticed a leak on the ground, but have you checked the engine side of the undertray for evidence of a heavy leak?

 

Any grey exhaust smoke or an oily smell to the exhaust?

 

It's been inbetween min and max whenever I check it and I've never added any oil.

 

Not sure on which oil was used, I trust the garage for that !!!

 

There is no oil on the ground and the car spends 95% of it's life sat outside the house.

 

I'll need to check the engine side of the undertray.

 

No smoke and no oily smell.

 

Car is currently on a 225 mile trip so I'll get the oil level checked when it gets to it's destination.

[Andrew T]

With the car on level ground and engine cold I would slowly top it up exactly to the Max mark on the dipstick. Then keep keep checking the level every day or so , or after every long journey and try to get an idea if the oil is being burnt at a particular time, e.g. only on long journeys?

Beyond that I can't help you, I've heard of sticking piston rings, anyone know more about that?

[riversider]

did you solve your problem ,i am having the same problem at the moment