Oil Usage

[AttaBoy]

Hi guys,

Is it normal for a VS V6 to use oil all the way until it reach the ADD mark after just 3500 Kms since service??

I use 20W/50 grade oil.

As I'm a bit concerned at the moment. The rear main seal has very slight leak nothing major and it has been like that for a few years and the oil consumption is usually excellent.

But now I realized it went down to the ADD mark on the dipstick at around 3500kms since the last oil change.

[POVRTY]

been thrashing it?

[AttaBoy]

No, I only boot it once every often other than that I just drive normally.

[Harvs82]

I'd be a little concerned with those figures, BUT, having said that, did you make sure that the oil level was actually at FULL just after you serviced it?

I change my oil every 5000km, and it probably goes through about 250mL or so in that time. When I fill up the oil, I normally fill it a few mm above the FULL level, and by the time it requires changing, its always around the 3/4 mark, or a touch below. Has the engine been running hot of late, ie sitting in peak hour traffic etc? I'm running the same grade of oil as you also, 20w/50.

How soon did you check the oil level after turning off the engine, as the oil does take some time to return back to the sump...

Is there any oily residue in the exhaust pipe, or on the back bumper bar? How many km on the engine?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Full to add on the dipstick is around 1 litre, that is concerning. Half a litre between changes isn't too bad. Have you recently changed brands of oil?

[AttaBoy]

No I haven't change the brand of oil since I got the car. I might have to have a better look at the rear main seal to see if its gotten worse or not. I hope not, I heard they are a pain in the ass to fix.

Whats the best way to check if its coming from the rear seal?? Will taking off the converter cover be enough to get a general idea??

[AttaBoy]

I'd be a little concerned with those figures, BUT, having said that, did you make sure that the oil level was actually at FULL just after you serviced it?

I change my oil every 5000km, and it probably goes through about 250mL or so in that time. When I fill up the oil, I normally fill it a few mm above the FULL level, and by the time it requires changing, its always around the 3/4 mark, or a touch below. Has the engine been running hot of late, ie sitting in peak hour traffic etc? I'm running the same grade of oil as you also, 20w/50.

How soon did you check the oil level after turning off the engine, as the oil does take some time to return back to the sump...

Is there any oily residue in the exhaust pipe, or on the back bumper bar? How many km on the engine?

No there is no oil in the exhaust and even not in the cooling system. Yes the car have been in quite a few peak hour traffic due to lots of roadworks in the area. But how that affect the oil consumption??

My mechanic fills at just above the full mark, and I also checked it. So its definitely at the full mark at the time of service.

I checked the oil was about 15 - 20 min after engine off. Should I check in first thing in the morning before driving off??

[Thomas1]

Should I check in first thing in the morning before driving off??

Yep. Thats the best time to check as all of the oil will have settled. Just make sure the car is parked on level ground

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

A lot of slow stop start driving can glaze the bores, do you have a towbar? Tow something around for a couple of hours. Or use premium fuel and give it a good hard drive. That will help if the bores are glazed. Either that or your rings are starting to go.

[VSIIBerlinaL67]

mines uses 0 oil between oil changes (every 5,000ks) with 260,000ks on the clock. and i drive it hard

[AttaBoy]

Its impossible to use no oil, every car uses oil even the brand new ones.

If yours have no oil consumption then something is wrong. Lol....

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

No apparent oil usage means the oil that is being used is being replaced by contaminants, so the dipstick will read close to where it was at the time of the service.

[VSIIBerlinaL67]

yer it does use oil but hardly any it uses about couple mill down from full and stays goldish, but my mates car needs 5 litres added every week and a half LOL

[AttaBoy]

LOL..... I hope its not my piston rings. I don't like having my engine pulled apart!!!