Thread: Oil consumption - what is 'normal'

normal is next door to no oil consumption between services.

seals, rings and valve stem guide seals are probabley due.

observation, compression and leak down tests are in order to work out which is which.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

normal is next door to no oil consumption between services.

seals, rings and valve stem guide seals are probabley due.

observation, compression and leak down tests are in order to work out which is which.

or failing that .... time to use a oil blend for "Older engines"

use to drive 110 with same 3.5 v8 as you have dual fuel as well ,ran 20/50 xld valvoline (gold label xld one ,not the cheaper mulitigrade) try that very good (thicker) oil ,didnt use .as for comsumption depends how you work it and age of motor or if it leaks (oil presure switch,seal or gaskets ect ). another exsample my current p38 doesent use oil but towing my camper used 100 mlli /litres per 500km on freeway towing ,when 4wding in low /high range down geehi with range rover club last dec /jan in one week doing 500 kms offroading (i call it floging )and over 20 river crossings used 300 milli /litres. to me 15/40 to light ,try 20/50 even used it in the 110 gearbox.even now useing xld in my lpg vt holden ,very good lpg oil ,try it i have over the last 20 years very happy .cheers

Have you checked for oil leaks?

Pete

normal is next door to no oil consumption between services.

Dave, not often I don't wholheartedly agree with you but I think no oil use in a 3.5 or 3.9 is a bit optimistic considering the old umbrella seals on the guides.
My 3.9 used to use about 1-1.5 litres per 5000Km with the old seals at about 100-120KK..
I put on brand new heads with teflon seals on inlet and exhaust and it dropped to nil.

Put on my old head with just teflons on the inlets and is about 500cc per 5000k. There was no guide work done and the inlets were shortened to the port roof so they were the same guides only shorter.
So I conclude that the main issue in oil consumption is the inlet seals and on a 3.5-3.9 with old umbrella seals about 1-1.5 l per 5000Km is normal.
Regards Philip A

1.5 litres of oil in 2000k does sound like a bit too much.I would try Penrite gas,it is 20w 60 ,& see how you go.

My brother has a 3.5 litre '93 disco with around 250original k's on the clock.&it uses a couple of litres between services.

Driving style can also affect oil consumption,see how you go without the trailer on.

Thanks all for those insights.

I have been back and had a good look over the motor and recalculated my km's.
There appears to be an oil leak somewhere around the starter motor as this is pretty covered in oil. There doesn't appear to be much on the ground though - only the odd drop here and there. There appears to be a weep of oil in many places - I guess one of the more charming aspects of British engineering

I went over the km's again based on the suggestions above and the oil leeks that i can see and would say that the valve seals would appear to be the culprit. I have 265/75R16 on mine, which makes on the GPS about 12% approx - the speedo reads slower - I guess this applies to the odometer as well.
So actually using my noodle for a minute the Km's are closer to 5,600 Km since the last oil change.

So I guess this is closer to the mark and no cause for alarm.

I shall drive on and see what happens. Thanks all for the inputs, it has really put my mind at rest. Terry

for an oil leak around the starter motor i would look at the rocker cover gasket on that side . check the screws holding the rocker cover on are tight they can work loose over time.