Oil Consumption

[PeterVX2]

I have a VX II Equipe V6 Ecotec Auto with 130,000 KLM's. I purchase the car with 115,000 KLM on it. Did a compression test at the time I acquired it and had readings of 200 to 205 PSI on each cylinder.

I was happy with this.


On trips it uses oil. Around town hardly any.

It used 1 litre in 10,000 KLM of mainly trips.

Should I be thinking rings ? or valve guides ?

My previous VXII Equipe hardly used oil and had 230,000 KLM on it !

I welcome comments from people with experience in this area.


Cheers All

[acarmody]

First and easiest port-of-call with Ecotecs. Look for an oil leak around the oil pressure switch (front of engine, next to oil filter).

[PeterVX2]

First and easiest port-of-call with Ecotecs. Look for an oil leak around the oil pressure switch (front of engine, next to oil filter).

You are right, I just had a look and there is oil film on the two power steering hoses that pass this area.

Also at the tappet covers seem to have a small leak and there is a small leak under the EGR valve at the rear of the right hand head near the firewall.

I have some work to do tomorrow.

Thanks for the lead.

[pablo]

Nothing to worry about, mine has been using that amount since it was 50K old. Now it is over 200k and still uses the same, perhaps a bit less. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[acarmody]

The oil pressure switch is quite a common Ecotec problem, a new switch cost about $20 from Holden, cheap as. an easy fix on your next oil change.

[scvs6]

1 litre to 10,000kms is good, theres nothing to worry about. My VS Berlina ecotec V6 uses 1 litre to 5,000kms (which isn't bad). I have noticed that my WH Statesman uses 1 litre to 10,000kms. If your car has oil leaks, then get them repaired of course, but I wouldn't bother going to the trouble of replacing the rings or valve guides, unless you want to rebuilt the engine.

I think my VS uses more oil because it has high kilometres, and i'm still using 10W30 oil.

[m1lky]

The using oil on a trip and not around town is a phenomena I've read.

Around town when the motors cold it masks oil usage when you get on the open road for a while then check it you get an accurate reading.

In saying that my v6 vs used 1l per 5-7000. Haunt had my vy long enough to know for sure yet

[lout]

if you have a serious oil leak you will see it where you park at night
I would be more inclined to the grade of oil, since mobil 1 dropped 10w30 and went to 5w30 my car now uses oil 1.5litre to 10,000km before was less than 0.5litre.
if car had done alot of short trips oil may have been fuel contaminated which evaporated on long trips

[PeterVX2]

Thanks for all the replies,

I had a good look this morning and embarasment upon embarasment, the oil filter cartridge was loose.

It was only finger tight.

After I hand tighten these at the service interval, I usualy use the tool to tighten it another one third of a turn. I must have forgot.

After servicing all my cars for 47 years with no issues, I will now pay more attention !

I tightened the filter and the tappet cover bolts took part of a turn.

Will keep a close eye on the oil.


Cheers all

[Brett_jjj]

You should never tighten a new oil filter with a filter removal wrench.A new oil filter is only supposed to be tightened up by hand.This is because when you put the engine oil on the new filter's rubber seal,it starts the rubber seal swelling,then once the filter is fitted hand tight,the rubber seal keeps swelling ,and when its has finished swelling,its usually sealed up fairly tight,this is why you usually need a filter removal wrench to remove them.Ive probably done hundreds of these over the years in this way and have never had a problem with a leaking oil filter.You should try putting the new clean engine oil on the new filter seal about 2 minutes before actually fitting the new filter.And use plenty of oil so the whole seal is covered evenly in oil,this will ensure that the seal starts to swell evenly.Also make sure the filter seal seat on the engine is clean,and sometimes the old rubber seal can stick to the seat instead of coming off with the old filter,so it pays to check the old filter to see if the seal is still on it.

[PeterVX2]

You should never tighten a new oil filter with a filter removal wrench.A new oil filter is only supposed to be tightened up by hand.This is because when you put the engine oil on the new filter's rubber seal,it starts the rubber seal swelling,then once the filter is fitted hand tight,the rubber seal keeps swelling ,and when its has finished swelling,its usually sealed up fairly tight,this is why you usually need a filter removal wrench to remove them.Ive probably done hundreds of these over the years in this way and have never had a problem with a leaking oil filter.You should try putting the new clean engine oil on the new filter seal about 2 minutes before actually fitting the new filter.And use plenty of oil so the whole seal is covered evenly in oil,this will ensure that the seal starts to swell evenly.Also make sure the filter seal seat on the engine is clean,and sometimes the old rubber seal can stick to the seat instead of coming off with the old filter,so it pays to check the old filter to see if the seal is still on it.

I always put some new oil on the seal.

I have never checked to make sure the old seal comes off.

I will do that from now on.

I always wipe the oil pump mating face with a rag.

Anyway, I am due to do a service in the next week or so.

Thanks for the advice.


Cheers

[VYMAD]

In response to your post BrettJJJ, I have found that unless I tighten new oil filters with the tool, (fairly bloody tight), the filter will leak slightly. Same happened on my son's VT. I always apply the film of oil to the rubber seal and wipe clean the mating surfaces.
It's never a problem removing the old filters with the tool.
I remember on my older Holdens over the years, I never had to do them up quite so tight?
Maybe the slight leak would take up after a few days' driving when the rubber swells like you said.

Edit: Oh I will add, (without skiting!) that my VY only uses approx 0.3- 0.4 of a litre maximum between oil changes. (7,000 k intervals, 142,000 on the clock)

[Mikepc]

Brand new sidi engines are allowed to use a maximum of 2.5L per 10,000km by Holden spec so 1L per 10,000km so ur car uses next to nothing I wouldn't worry

[VK SL 3800]

Every engine uses oil, start to worry when you see or smell smoke and you have to add more then half a liter a week.

[VYMAD]

Brand new sidi engines are allowed to use a maximum of 2.5L per 10,000km by Holden spec so 1L per 10,000km so ur car uses next to nothing I wouldn't worry

Are you serious? where did you hear that? IMO an engine with under 50,000k's shouldn't really use ANY oil. 2.5 Litres per 10,000? Far out, I aint buying a SIDI!