Slow Oil Leak

[Guest MATT jr]

Hi all,

 

it seems our galaxy has developed a slow oil leak.

 

i 1st noticed slight oil consumption when we drove Spain (caravan in tow), i put this down to, well, towing the caravan for such long distance.

 

but since then, oil consumption has been "odd"

 

i check it every 2 weeks (roughly) and sometimes it hasn

[tim-spam]

If it's a leak, you will have a very oily engine bay indeed, especially the engine undertray, and there will be oil dripping under the car.

 

In terms of actual engine oil consumption, this tends to be higher when driving at sustained high engine speed and / or load. Oil consumption also tends to be higher with cheaper quality oils (even if they are to 505.01) - the so called 'full synthetics' tend to be consumed at a lower rate as they stay in grade far longer than semi-synthetics or mineral oils.

 

If you are referring to the 'round cylindrical thing' in front of the engine, and it has a black plastic cap on top, that's the oil filter, and should never leak unless it's been damaged or left very loose.

[Guest MATT jr]

thanks tim-spam.

 

i find it odd, because it can go for 4 weeks without loosing any, then all of a sudden, it goes from 3/4's on the dipstick, to minimum (or as today, way below minimum).

 

the silver thing, is behind the engine, --- with engine cover and sound proofing removed, its roughly top centre, at the back.

 

before we went spain, the oil was fine, and never needed topping up :unsure:

 

MJR

[tim-spam]

The oil separator / filter in the CCV system may be getting a little sludged up - this can result in intermittant oil consumption problems. If the velocity of the blow-by gases in the CCV system becomes high due to partial blockage, the oil separation becomes less effective, and more oil is carried over into the induction system and then burnt by the engine.

[Guest MATT jr]

that sounds like a very probable cause.

 

although i havnt noticed any more smoke than usual from the exhaust.

 

(i also have a feeling the aux heater isnt working, but thats another story)

 

Thanks Tim

 

MJR