Oil consumption-- 1qt/1000mi after break-in?

[Ganthrithor]

Hey guys, I've noticed my BRZ still goes through oil at an alarming rate despite having over 12k miles on it. IIRC I figured the car had burned about 3/4 of a quart in around a thousand miles. I asked about it at the dealer (I even had them confirm I wasn't reading the dipstick wrong-- I know it should be retard-proof, but I was seriously incredulous about the notion of the car going through oil that quickly). Of course because it's the dealer they said, "That's normal."

But seriously though, is that normal? I do drive the car pretty hard (lots of spirited driving, plenty of redlining), but yikes, almost a quart per thousand seems like a lot.

Disclaimer: I did do a google search or two, and found a really old thread about this from this forum, but didn't want to necro it. Over at NASIOC there was another thread but was full of people saying everything from, "My BRZ hasn't used a drop of oil since the engine was filled at the factory" to, "A quart per 600 miles is normal for my old Subaru."

Incidentally my coolant overflow tank is also on the low mark when cool, but I haven't been bothered to go get more (according to internet threads, you shouldn't mix other things with Subaru's magical, long-life coolant) so I can't tell if it's losing coolant just yet.

[merino_frs]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

Hey guys, I've noticed my BRZ still goes through oil at an alarming rate despite having over 12k miles on it. IIRC I figured the car had burned about 3/4 of a quart in around a thousand miles. I asked about it at the dealer (I even had them confirm I wasn't reading the dipstick wrong-- I know it should be retard-proof, but I was seriously incredulous about the notion of the car going through oil that quickly). Of course because it's the dealer they said, "That's normal."

But seriously though, is that normal? I do drive the car pretty hard (lots of spirited driving, plenty of redlining), but yikes, almost a quart per thousand seems like a lot.

Disclaimer: I did do a google search or two, and found a really old thread about this from this forum, but didn't want to necro it. Over at NASIOC there was another thread but was full of people saying everything from, "My BRZ hasn't used a drop of oil since the engine was filled at the factory" to, "A quart per 600 miles is normal for my old Subaru."

I have about 11.5k miles on my FRS and mine doesn't burn oil. And I like to drive mine pretty hard too

[mav1178]

How is your oil consumption being measured?
Have you done a simple UOA yet? If not, I strongly suggest it at this point. $30 and you can stop speculating and know some facts.

-alex

[jonboy99]

Mine doesn't use any. How did you run it in, out of interest?

Sent via Tapatalk.

[suaveflooder]

Weird. This is actually the first car I've owned that doesn't burn ANY oil. I would get that checked out!

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by mav1178

How is your oil consumption being measured?
Have you done a simple UOA yet? If not, I strongly suggest it at this point. $30 and you can stop speculating and know some facts.

-alex

I've held off on UOAs so far because I didn't want to send in samples from the first couple of oil changes. I'll probably send a sample off when I get my fourth oil change (sample from the third non-factory fill) since the first two fills will hopefully have flushed out any break-in particulate.

I assume I should be looking for coolant in the oil?

Originally Posted by jonboy99

Mine doesn't use any. How did you run it in, out of interest?

Sent via Tapatalk.

I basically followed the factory recommendations... started using higher revs around 900 miles, redline at 1k. It's been driven pretty hard since then, so you'd think rings would have seated by now.

[CoupedUpSubie]

I don't think it has quite as much to do with how it is broken in as to when the first oil change was done. Also what have you been using for oil?

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by CoupedUpSubie

I don't think it has quite as much to do with how it is broken in as to when the first oil change was done. Also what have you been using for oil?

First change was done at around 2k miles and was a Subaru dealer fill. Second change was at around 6k IIRC and used Torco SR-5R 0W-20. Third fill was another dealer fill at about 12k.

[CoupedUpSubie]

No experience with Torco, but that price on their site. Makes my wallet shrivel. It is possible you somehow go a funky engine. If your dealer won't look into it then get a hold of SoA. No newer engine should use that much oil. If you weren't checking the oil as often then going low on oil could be bad, I applaud you for keeping up with the small things that can make a difference.

[humfrz]

Hello Ganthrithor ......

Assuming that you are checking the oil level in a consistent manner and the engine is consuming oil ...... I would wonder where it's going .. ??

Is it leaking out of the crankcase? Or is it getting past the oil rings and being burnt .. ??

Can you see any evidence of it leaking (oil drips from under the car)?

Can you see bluish smoke coming out of the exhaust .. ??

Do you have any engine mods .. ??

I agree that the oil consumption of 1 quart per 1,000 miles is more than "normal".

I hope you get it figured out.


humfrz

[OrbitalEllipses]

1qt/1000 miles may not be "normal" but it's acceptable to the manufacturer, per the manual.

In my previous two oil changes I've been about a half quart low. The OCI averages ~6,000 miles.

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hello Ganthrithor ......

Assuming that you are checking the oil level in a consistent manner and the engine is consuming oil ...... I would wonder where it's going .. ??

Is it leaking out of the crankcase? Or is it getting past the oil rings and being burnt .. ??

Can you see any evidence of it leaking (oil drips from under the car)?

Can you see bluish smoke coming out of the exhaust .. ??

Do you have any engine mods .. ??

I agree that the oil consumption of 1 quart per 1,000 miles is more than "normal".

I hope you get it figured out.


humfrz

So do I :\

I don't notice blue smoke, and unfortunately I park outside on gravel so it's hard to look for oil drippings. Drivetrain is completely stock.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

1qt/1000 miles may not be "normal" but it's acceptable to the manufacturer, per the manual.

In my previous two oil changes I've been about a half quart low. The OCI averages ~6,000 miles.

I remember reading that the manual says you may burn through 1.1 quarts in the first interval, but wouldn't that be 1.1 over 6k miles if you followed the manufacturer's schedule? Other than that I remember the manual being really vague about "running the engine harder may consume more oil."

I mean, if the car just burns oil that's ok, I just don't want to find out it's because of a bad head gasket or something. I'll definitely send some oil off to the boys at Blackstone when I do my next fill.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

So do I :\

I don't notice blue smoke, and unfortunately I park outside on gravel so it's hard to look for oil drippings. l.

You might consider slipping a large piece of cardboard under your car when it's parked, to see if you can spot any drippings.


humfrz

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

First change was done at around 2k miles and was a Subaru dealer fill. Second change was at around 6k IIRC and used Torco SR-5R 0W-20. Third fill was another dealer fill at about 12k.

IMO, the factory fill was drained too early. Also, try sticking with one oil for several oil changes instead of switching brands. The base stocks and additive package on Torco SR-5R is completely different from dealer fill, regardless of what your dealer uses for their bulk fill.

If you're switching to a race oil for the track during warm weather, you might want to consider running the same oil year round or at least stick with the same brand.

-Dennis