High Oil Usage

[erichsonb]

Hi,

I've got a 2004 2.2i E85 with coming up to 145,000 miles on the clock. She's still going strong, but does seem to be using quite a lot of oil - about 1 litre per 1000 miles. There is a bit of white smoke coming from the exhaust at times which I've been told indicates that it is burning oil. I've spoken to a few people who seem to think that this is normal for a car of this age, but this seems quite high to me. Is this normal or should I be looking for leaks?

Grateful for your thoughts.

[Chris_D]

HI
my E85 3.0i 100k miles was drinking oil like Hurricane Higgins drunk Guiness when I first got it. Replaced the CCV system and that seems to have curtailed its' thirst.
Short trips will produce condensation in the oil, which will clog up the ccv system causing excessive oil consumption.
Could also be that your oil is too thin. try 5w40 or 10w40.
Have you checked for leaks? Oil filter housing gasket, sump pan gasket, valve cover gasket, main seal. get your torch out and have a poke around and under the engine.
good luck

[hopz121]

As above look at the CCV and also the rocker cover gasket for leaks

[Chris_D]

As above look at the CCV and also the rocker cover gasket for leaks

Rocker = valve = cam cover gasket.
But whats in a name?

[Mike6]

Once you have eliminated the suggestions for oil consumption, you may have to accept that at that mileage on a smaller engine there may be some engine wear. As has been suggested you could go for a thicker spec oil - presumably yours is running on 5/30. Also many will poo poo the idea but for me Wynns has worked wonders on old worn engines and can be added straight into your engine. Its worth a try for little expense but ultimately you may need to carry out a compression test to find out what is going on.

[vester86]

White smoke = water (probably condens)
Blue smoke = oil
Black smoke = petrol (to much of It), or diesel.....

[Highlander]

OP....If the white smoke is coming out the exhaust then I'd have thought it's unlikely to be a gasket mentioned as these leaks are external to the combustion......Might still be an issue though.
If you think that the white smoke from the exhaust is oil related then it's burning a lot of oil....As stated "white smoke" from exhaust can also be water vapour which might indicate an issue with head gasket.
Best to get it checked by someone with mechanical knowledge Incase any damage occurs IMHO
Hope it turns out to be something simple

[firebobby]

Is it an Alpina, as they use sh1t loads of oil...so I heard

[jabber]

I used to own a 2.2 that had done approx 70k that used loads of oil

[Highlander]

Is it an Alpina, as they use sh1t loads of oil...so I heard

Was waiting to see who'd bring that up
Urban myth?...Or exaggerated tale??

[Pastry]

Is it an Alpina, as they use sh1t loads of oil...so I heard

You beat me to it Fred

[firebobby]

Is it an Alpina, as they use sh1t loads of oil...so I heard

Was waiting to see who'd bring that up
Urban myth?...Or exaggerated tale??

No, they do use lots of oil according to 2 owners of Alpina's that I know.

[Highlander]

Heard the following term used to cover "excessive" oil use.......and it sounds better than "burning"
The oil was an "upper cylinder lubricant"