Burning engine oil already? 1530 Miles
 

Hi guys,

Just last month I checked my engine oil level on 1000 Miles and the second dot was filled with oil but just today I saw it wasn't covered in oil at 1530 Miles?

It is still factory oil with none ever added.

Only difference is that I measured oil last time when engine was fairly warm and this time It was cold and haven't been driven for 9 or so hours.

Could I possibly be burning oil this early?

Here are some pics showing both sides of the dip stick:

http://i40.tinypic.com/z3j84.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2ivisux.jpg

Subaru considers normal a quart of oil every thousand miles I believe but don't quote me on that. My brz burns oil too but maybe less than half a quart every 3000 miles.

Seems odd that many people seem to have not lost any oil for their cars even 5000miles +?

Might be leaking from the cam plate if this is a MT.

Auto :(

Always measure oil under the same conditions or you're going to drive yourself nuts. I measure mine in the morning, before I start it. And make sure it's level where you park it.

Weird. I change mine around 5k miles and it looses a little, but nothing crazy. It starts at the top hole and is about 1/2 way down to the bottom hold after 5k miles.

I wouldn't worry about that much loss during the first few thousand miles.

However, keep an eye on the level. Like said, make sure your car's engine is cold and the car is level when checking the oil.

Mine "used" about a quart during it's first 2,000 mile. Now, at 8,000 miles it hasn't used a significant amount.

Hint: If you have a hard time reading the dip stick, lay it down on a paper towel .... ;)

humfrz

poor run-in will have the engine burning oil like an EZ30R.

How much is a quart of oil in the dip stick reading?

I am about 1/4 way down from the top dot,

Also I did try break in with engine load as much as I could,

Is this normal?

I believe from the bottom hole to the top is 1 litre=~1 quart. So just divide that distance by four and you will have 1/4. I have noticed that it takes a few minutes for all the oil to reach the sump, so wait a bit longer before taking a reading. Also, I'm not sure if you know this but make sure to ignore the first reading, wipe, try again, wipe and take another reading this will most accurate. Good luck and it sounds like your engine should be broken in just fine.

As some have mentioned.. I wouldn't be too concerned about oil consumption on the factory fill. Give it some time. Keep an eye on it and check it often.
I was down about 3/4 of a quart when I changed it out at 4300 miles.. I've been running it hard after breakin too.. It will probably be fine..

How many miles are you at now? Has it used significantly less?

I have about 700 miles on it since I changed the oil.. Haven't checked it since I changed it a few weeks ago.. Will check it and report back..

Just went out in the garage and checked the oil level.. Just barely above the top dot where it was 700 miles ago when I changed it..

Perfectly normal for an engine to use this much oil during break in.

That dipstick doesn't look like it's showing the level correctly. I'd wait until the engine is cold, parked level and check again before I added any oil.

As long as you're absolutely sure you checked the level correctly just top up and drive. Check it again in 500 miles. Because the dipsticks in these cars are so hard to use accurately I'd add only half a quart and drive for 200 miles before checking again and doing a final top up. Engines run fine a quart low.

If you take some fine sandpaper or emery paper and scuff the dipstick from the tip to about an inch above the top fill hole, it will make reading the levels much easier and accurate.

I never lost any (noticeable amount) oil within the break in period.

in the first fifth month/first service I lost half liter (half the dipstick), now I am in 9th month and the oil only moved a bit from the top level.

I believe oil consumption will improve after some time.

Every engine is different. Also, every driver breaks in the engine slightly differently. The key is does it keep using oil or start using oil after the break in is fully complete: about 10,000 miles.

Only the first 1,000 miles involves any special driving. For the next 9,000 and forever actually, the engine benefits from hard use. It continues to loosen up for at least 10,000 miles.

If your engine is still breaking in, I wouldn't worry about it. Also cold vs. hot engine will make a difference.

For the truly paranoid: drain and measure. Refill with the same oil you drained to not waste.

-alex

Same oil? Or same quantity of new oil?

Well, fill with the same oil you drained. I don't see why it can't be done if you use clean containers to measure and refill. I only suggested this as a fix for the person who is paranoid about engine oil levels and whether the car is burning oil at 1530 miles or not.

-alex