Burning Oil?

[RandomHero]

Im at about 3100km and im down a half liter of oil. Is this common? I am doing the oil change this week. Im hoping some improvement will come after the change. I notice after every 3 fillups that it is a bit lower (i hate adding anything less than a half quart). Whats everyone else showing for oil consumption at or around break-in period?

And while we are at it is everyone elses valve train really noisy?

[chulooz]

Half a liter doesnt seem too healthy.

I would guess that you followed the normal 'gentle' break-in procedures, yes?

[rice_classic]

Please read your manual about initial oil consumption. Your manual actually says it can burn up to 1.1 quarts as "normal" during break in. Or something to that effect.

[slizoth]

Yeah, the manual specifically states that new engines will consume more oil and to check your oil regularly/ add oil accordingly.

[BMWDavid]

Originally Posted by slizoth

Yeah, the manual specifically states that new engines will consume more oil and to check your oil regularly/ add oil accordingly.

That may be so but I feel on modern engines this is just a way for the factory to get around any problem engines.

My BRZ now at 2600 miles has not used any oil. The oil level is right at the full mark and it was the day I bought it.

My '06 GTI at 93,000 miles is using 3/4 quart every 5,000 miles.

Heck, my wifes PT Cruiser with 120,000 miles uses only a quart every 10,000 miles!

Perhaps your oil consumption will decrease a bit with some more miles.

[Draco-REX]

Do you drive the car hard or AutoX it at all?

If you AutoX a lot, you could be blowing the oil through your PCV system. It's a common problem with boxer motors and can be solved with a catch can.

If you don't drive the car hard at all, and never really have, your piston rings might not be fully seated. Spend the next tank of gas or so when the car gets up to temp (not just coolant, but oil; say 7-10 miles) flog it hard whenever you can.

I had plenty of blow-by during break-in; the dipstick would pop out all the time. But now that it's out of break-in and I've been driving it hard now and then it stays seated. So the rings do need to seat on these engines, and lots of fun driving is the cure.

[RandomHero]

Ive hit 7k RPM maybe 5 times? I'll often leave a light on an open road and rev it up to 4K before shifting 1st and 2nd, then its time to roll it into 6 and coast lol. No AutoX though. I broke it in as per manual... well maybe i broke 4k RPM once or twice...

I did read the manual and know that its considered "normal" but I just wanted to see how normal it was in real life as opposed to an engineers/lawyers say so.

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by RandomHero

Ive hit 7k RPM maybe 5 times? I'll often leave a light on an open road and rev it up to 4K before shifting 1st and 2nd, then its time to roll it into 6 and coast lol. No AutoX though. I broke it in as per manual... well maybe i broke 4k RPM once or twice...

I did read the manual and know that its considered "normal" but I just wanted to see how normal it was in real life as opposed to an engineers/lawyers say so.

So you shift 1_2@4k_6?

Are you lugging the engine at all... the fear with a normal break in is that the rings do not seat as rapidly, with oil consumption being the driving worry.

[RandomHero]

Originally Posted by chulooz

So you shift 1_2@4k_6?

Are you lugging the engine at all... the fear with a normal break in is that the rings do not seat as rapidly, with oil consumption being the driving worry.

I shift 1_2@4-5k 2_3@4-5k (clutch in let revs drop) Shift to 6th. Only when im driving like an arse which really isnt often. Otherwise its all shifts @2-3.5K

as for lugging, I will get it when im trying too hard to be efficient but I will always downshift if it starts to vibrate.

[Draco-REX]

4-5K is still in the torque valley, you're not letting the engine get into it's Fun Zone. Wind it out and play above 5K, the engine was designed for it.

[RandomHero]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

4-5K is still in the torque valley, you're not letting the engine get into it's Fun Zone. Wind it out and play above 5K, the engine was designed for it.

Ill give it a shot. Thats not to say it hasnt been done though. I did 3 celebratory donuts in a local parking lot after rolling over 2000km in celebration... i was paying a lot of attention to my driving but im most certain i hit 7K.

In any case thanks so much for the help guys. I'll take this as normal for now. If it continues consuming a half quart per 3000km ill get more worried for now ill try not to OCD over it.

[slizoth]

I've found Shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the sweet spot is 3100 RPMs. The rest of the shifts happen around 3500 RPMs. When I pull out on to the highway or in other high traffic instances I will rev it up higher. If Im out for fun I shift at 7000 RPMs to stay in the power band.

90% of the time I drive conservatively and I like my MPG
10% of the time I push the car, revving high, burning tires, ect.

100% of the time Im having fun because this car kicks ass.

Oh and I've noticed virtually 0 oil consumption, I've only got about 100 miles on it since my last oil change though so we'll see how things go after a couple tanks of gas.

[vubaru]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Please read your manual about initial oil consumption. Your manual actually says it can burn up to 1.1 quarts as "normal" during break in. Or something to that effect.

Last weekend, the engine oil for my BRZ was about 200 ml low when I checked it at about 1100 mi on the odo. I baby it except at highway speeds, and I've never even gotten it beyond 7k in any gear so far-- I'm waiting for the first oil change.

A little bit of oil consumption is totally normal. *Especially with a direct injection system.* More than a quart of oil consumption, I dunno, that's a bit much imo, but the manual is the manual. Rice_classic is correct.

If you're not getting consumption, great, but new boxer engines are known to be a little oil-thirsty. In my experience, though, it does not continue through the life of the car.

Just my 2c.

[Hbomb]

3800 miles. Have not burned a drop of oil.