Thread: Oil Consumption

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Hi All,

Just asking for opinions. My 74 has a 350 that has been reco'd at some stage in the past and clocked up another 600 thou since, 300 thou with me.

Has always used about a litre of oil (XLD) per 2 or 3 thousand k's.

Too much?

A mate has a 2009 320i BMW with 100 thou on it that is using a litre every 1 - 2 thousand k's. Serviced from new by BMW. Synthetic oil from the start caused this?

TIA, DL

I had a BA GT that was run in (or supposed to be) on 0/40w, it was using 1l/5000klms, they (Ford) monitored it up to 15000klms and then replaced the engine after running it in on a Dyno using 30/40? Mineral oil, then got me to keep up the monitoring using the mineral oil for another 5K and then went back onto Synthetic, no more problems.
If the blow by is unacceptable, you maybe due for a reco, idling the engine for long periods causes glazing and ring wear, you have got some fair mileage out of it, Regards Frank.

Thanks Frank,

Not concerned with mine so much......... have extended oil change intervals.

This was more a sleazy way to see if any BMW techs out there wanted to comment on my mate's POS. From what I can find on the net it is considered normal haha.

I agree that it was possibly filled with syn in the run in period and the rings never seated properly.

DL

Chev 350s do use a little oil but that does sound a little much. Especially if it is an older 350 block. Some LS1's used that from new and Holden/Chev said it was normal, it is excessive for a new engine. However if yours has done 600, thousand that is huge kms and 300 thou with you I would say it is due for a freshen up. The rings have to be worn along with a lot of other stuff. The advantage of the older 350s, Holden and Ford engines was that as long as you kept up the oil and coolant they will run forever, but not at optimum.
The older 3.5 litre Rover engines also use some oil and this is normal due to the Umbrella type valve seals. These can be updated I am led to belive with some minor mods.
The BMW engine is a little different and is designed to use oil the way it lubricates the engine. My daughter has a 323i E36 that I maintain and I thought it odd using oil, but I would say a bit more than 2000kms per litre, more like 3-5 depending on how driven. All the research I have done has indicated this is quite normal for the BMW engine. BMW techs have advised this is normal and if they dont use oil it is more of a problem as it is not lubricating properly.

Originally Posted by CraigE

Chev 350s do use a little oil but that does sound a little much. Especially if it is an older 350 block. Some LS1's used that from new and Holden/Chev said it was normal, it is excessive for a new engine. However if yours has done 600, thousand that is huge kms and 300 thou with you I would say it is due for a freshen up. The rings have to be worn along with a lot of other stuff. The advantage of the older 350s, Holden and Ford engines was that as long as you kept up the oil and coolant they will run forever, but not at optimum.
The older 3.5 litre Rover engines also use some oil and this is normal due to the Umbrella type valve seals. These can be updated I am led to belive with some minor mods.
The BMW engine is a little different and is designed to use oil the way it lubricates the engine. My daughter has a 323i E36 that I maintain and I thought it odd using oil, but I would say a bit more than 2000kms per litre, more like 3-5 depending on how driven. All the research I have done has indicated this is quite normal for the BMW engine. BMW techs have advised this is normal and if they dont use oil it is more of a problem as it is not lubricating properly.

I would do a compression test on the BMW, (but I would say a bit more than 2000kms per litre, more like 3-5 depending on how driven.) Are you referring to litres of oil or thousands of Klms travelled.
Would give the tops of the valves (open) a wiggle to check for valve guide wear and maybe replace the valve guide/valve seals a changeover, regards Frank.

Originally Posted by 350RRC

.....................................Has always used about a litre of oil (XLD) per 2 or 3 thousand k's.

Too much? ...........................

The problem is that Valvoline oil is rubbish. A big statement I know BUT when I had my 3.5l classic I had the same problem with the same oil. Changed to Castrol 15W40 and no more problems. I suggest you do the same.


Deano

Originally Posted by DeanoH

The problem is that Valvoline oil is rubbish. A big statement I know BUT when I had my 3.5l classic I had the same problem with the same oil. Changed to Castrol 15W40 and no more problems. I suggest you do the same.


Deano

Big call alright.

We changed from Castrol oil to Penrite,same weight in our work vans,oil usage fell by less than half.
i wouldn't call Castrol oil rubbish.

Thanks guys,

Chev oil consumption has not changed in 300 thou and is not really the problem, the beemer is.

Have seen plenty of stuff on the net of the same motor using more than a litre per 1000 k's and other posters suggesting it's normal.

Common faults seem to be leaky gasket under the oil filter housing, CCV piping and worn valve stem seals.

Only a couple mention syn oil used for running in. These motors apparently have some sort of coated aluminium bores. (bit like Kawasaki did with the electricity exploded wire in aluminium cylinders in the late 70's??)

DL