Oil consumption 1.8 None turbo

Dawn · 11th January 2018, 19:25

My 1.8 has had a litre of oil since ownership last May, and it hasn't done loads of miles. What if any, are they supposed to use? I can't see any black smoke, nor do I get oil on my drive. Just wondering if this is normal, mileage is 151k, but this engine has only done about 80k.

Thanks

marinabrian · 11th January 2018, 19:58

My 1800 goes between oil changes (8000 miles) without the need to top up.

Unless it's leaking, or had a poor top end overhaul without replacing the valve stem oil seals, I can't ever recall any of the k series engined cars I've owned needing to be topped up.

So how much are you putting in, and roughly how many miles?

Brian

Dawn · 11th January 2018, 20:03

I can't recall how many miles it had done when I bought it to be precise, but it hasn't done more than about 1500, maybe less, and its had a litre bottle. It had a rec head, gasket, water pump etc last May - no idea if that qualifies as top end? (well, so I was told by the garage that just messed me around with the V6!)

If oil is coming out, it isn't dropping on my drive, which I would expect. This car baffles me with its weird engine behaviour. I knew 1.8's were naughty, but this car baffles me with its oil and water...

marinabrian · 11th January 2018, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

I can't recall how many miles it had done when I bought it to be precise, but it hasn't done more than about 1500, maybe less, and its had a litre bottle. It had a rec head, gasket, water pump etc last May - no idea if that qualifies as top end? (well, so I was told by the garage that just messed me around with the V6!)

If oil is coming out, it isn't dropping on my drive, which I would expect. This car baffles me with its weird engine behaviour. I knew 1.8's were naughty, but this car baffles me with its oil and water...

That's about 700 miles to the pint, about what I'd expect of a worn A-Series engine, not a K-series.

As a test, take the car for a run to get it fully warmed, find yourself a hill, and allow the car to coast down the hill on the overrun, preferably in fourth gear.

When you get to the bottom of the hill, look in the rear view mirror, and floor the throttle, and see if you leave a cloud of blue smoke.

Let us know what you find if anything please Dawn

Brian

Dawn · 11th January 2018, 20:20

I will give it a try, but it might not be for a few days. Its dark when I go to work and when I get home, and at the weekend I have to fetch the black beast back from Dave in Lincs!

If its burning the oil, I'm up the creek lol!

rrobson · 11th January 2018, 20:20

As above, k series not known for their thirst for oil.

Sounds like a leak somewhere. You could start eliminating certain things by checking the colour of the the plugs, having a good look underneath etc.

My 1.8t had an oil leak on the turbo return. It didn't leak on the drive but it could loose half a litre in as little as 400 miles. So could be a small weap that opens up when it's warm.

Brunty · 11th January 2018, 20:23

My 1.8 rover has used about 3/4 litre in 4000 miles, no blue smoke and drives fine. My first Rover, with suicide doors, purchased over 40 years ago, according to the handbook, was expected to use 1 pint of oil every 200 miles. Don't think this Rover is doing too badly.

SCP440 · 11th January 2018, 20:24

Do you use your car for mainly short journeys? This can use a lot more oil as the clearances are bigger until it warms up. Even if you still seems a lot of oil for a modern engine.

Dawn · 11th January 2018, 20:25

I will get under it as soon as possible and check for oil. I thought it would drip on the driveway, but if its possible not to, I will give it the once over. It's not a turbo, though.

Dawn · 11th January 2018, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCP440

Do you use your car for mainly short journeys? This can use a lot more oil as the clearances are bigger until it warms up. Even if you still seems a lot of oil for a modern engine.

Yes, it only does short journeys as a rule, with a couple of Nano's being the furthest its been. (100 mile round trip)

11th January 2018, 19:25	#1
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	Oil consumption 1.8 None turbo My 1.8 has had a litre of oil since ownership last May, and it hasn't done loads of miles. What if any, are they supposed to use? I can't see any black smoke, nor do I get oil on my drive. Just wondering if this is normal, mileage is 151k, but this engine has only done about 80k. Thanks

11th January 2018, 20:20	#6
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	As above, k series not known for their thirst for oil. Sounds like a leak somewhere. You could start eliminating certain things by checking the colour of the the plugs, having a good look underneath etc. My 1.8t had an oil leak on the turbo return. It didn't leak on the drive but it could loose half a litre in as little as 400 miles. So could be a small weap that opens up when it's warm. __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

11th January 2018, 19:58	#2
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	My 1800 goes between oil changes (8000 miles) without the need to top up. Unless it's leaking, or had a poor top end overhaul without replacing the valve stem oil seals, I can't ever recall any of the k series engined cars I've owned needing to be topped up. So how much are you putting in, and roughly how many miles? Brian

11th January 2018, 20:03	#3
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	I can't recall how many miles it had done when I bought it to be precise, but it hasn't done more than about 1500, maybe less, and its had a litre bottle. It had a rec head, gasket, water pump etc last May - no idea if that qualifies as top end? (well, so I was told by the garage that just messed me around with the V6!) If oil is coming out, it isn't dropping on my drive, which I would expect. This car baffles me with its weird engine behaviour. I knew 1.8's were naughty, but this car baffles me with its oil and water...

11th January 2018, 20:23	#7
Brunty Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Newtown Posts: 415 Thanks: 273 Thanked 95 Times in 65 Posts	My 1.8 rover has used about 3/4 litre in 4000 miles, no blue smoke and drives fine. My first Rover, with suicide doors, purchased over 40 years ago, according to the handbook, was expected to use 1 pint of oil every 200 miles. Don't think this Rover is doing too badly.

11th January 2018, 20:24	#8
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	Do you use your car for mainly short journeys? This can use a lot more oil as the clearances are bigger until it warms up. Even if you still seems a lot of oil for a modern engine.

11th January 2018, 20:25	#9
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	I will get under it as soon as possible and check for oil. I thought it would drip on the driveway, but if its possible not to, I will give it the once over. It's not a turbo, though.