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[JamesV6CDX]

Hi Guys,

I'm a little confused about the amount of oil I'm putting in my Vectra. The level seems to be dropping quickly, so I'm looking for any ideas on a possible cause.

Observations are as follows:

1) I cannot see ANY leaks. I have rectified every one I have come across, including reseal sump, and new camcover + genuine gaskets. Underneith, and on top - all dry as a bone.

2) Cylinder head has been fully rebuilt by myself very recently, with new valves thoroughly lapped in, and new stem seals. Plus new head gasket. So I don't suspect top end trouble.

3) Upon revving the car, I see dark (but not blue) smoke from the exhaust. This occurs on petrol or LPG just the same. I let the car warm up a bit and it seemed to be the same from warm or cold.

4) No matter how often I change the oil and filter (which is often!) The oil seems to get black very quickly.

5) Without starting an oil thread - I am using FULLY synthetic oil in this car - currently halfrauds 0/40 stuff, as I was able to get a cheap batch.

6) There appeared to be a small amount of oil on plugs 3 and 4 - but I'm almost certain, that it's a bit of leftover oil in the plug wells must have got on them when I Removed the plugs. Otherwise, spark plug colour appears normal considering the mileage.

7) The car has done almost 220,000 miles on the original 1.8l engine! (So I guess it's allowed to use some oil!)

I just did a compression test to see if it picked anything up = readings as follows:

Pot 1 = 218psi
Pot 2 = 225psi
Pot 3 = 250psi
Pot 4 = 250Psi

So all pots seem reasonably healthy.

I do wonder though, if 3 and 4 were slightly higher.. because a bit of oil may have dropped into the pots when I removed plugs? (At least I hope it's as a result of that, rather than it coming up past the rings!)

The MOT is on Friday, so the emissions result should be interesting.

If anyone could shed any light on the oil mystery, then I'd be pleased to hear any views at all.

Cheers

James

[A380 Elite]

Good Luck For Friday's MOT.

[JamesV6CDX]

Cheers Ryan... fingers crossed eh!

[TheBoy]

looks as if the usual no. 1 pot wear there...


If it ain't leaking, its got to be buring it...

[JamesV6CDX]

looks as if the usual no. 1 pot wear there...


If it ain't leaking, its got to be buring it...

My thoughts also, just surprised at the lack of blue smoke if it's really burning it.

[TheBoy]

looks as if the usual no. 1 pot wear there...


If it ain't leaking, its got to be buring it...

My thoughts also, just surprised at the lack of blue smoke if it's really burning it.

Has someone followed you when you boot it?

[JamesV6CDX]

looks as if the usual no. 1 pot wear there...


If it ain't leaking, its got to be buring it...

My thoughts also, just surprised at the lack of blue smoke if it's really burning it.

Has someone followed you when you boot it?

Is that an offer? I'm not sure Markie's 1.3l Overhead valve Escort could keep up

[Marks DTM Calib]

That oil is much to thin.....no wonder its using some!

I assume there are no blocked or trapped breathers and that the air filter is all ok?

[JamesV6CDX]

That oil is much to thin.....no wonder its using some!

I assume there are no blocked or trapped breathers and that the air filter is all ok?

Really? I stand to be corrected, but I always thought the thinner synthetic oils were OK for the multivalve VX Ecotec engines

I will take your advice though.. shall I drain it all out, in favour of VX 10/40 Semi synth

[Craig_R]

With its Space Shuttle Mileage I would guess piston rings are worn slightly.

I have been told a way of checking the piston wear.  

Find out what the PSI should be new. Do the checks you just have. then pour alittle oil into the spark plug hole, redo the compression test and if the PSI increase its the piston rings that have worn, the oil gets in to the worn parts of the piston rings and temp blocks any leaks, which inturn increases your compression PSI Thus point towards your worn piston rings

Hope this makes any sense

Craig

[TheBoy]

That oil is much to thin.....no wonder its using some!

I assume there are no blocked or trapped breathers and that the air filter is all ok?

Really? I stand to be corrected, but I always thought the thinner synthetic oils were OK for the multivalve VX Ecotec engines

I will take your advice though.. shall I drain it all out, in favour of VX 10/40 Semi synth

the thinner oil will find any leak or wear in engine.  Precisely why I do not use it in ZX10 any more....   ...Vx semi in everything now - both Omegas, Rover, ZX10, lawnmower.....

[JamesV6CDX]

A drop of oil in the bore will always increase the reading, and - my readings are really not that low, with 220 being the lowest...

[Craig_R]

or as i have just read your oil could be to thin lol Doh

[IrmscherKris]

0/40 - it's seeping past rings and seals.

If your selling it too, I'd go and stick 10/40 in it - anyone else who is a would be buyer will use 10/40.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The oil down the spark plug hole doesn't work at all well

1) A modern engine has the plug in the centre of the cylinder

2) The piston has eyebrows machined in it so any oil dropped in the plug hole tends to sit in these

3) Adding oil increases teh pressure anyway as it lowers the cc.

I would be tempted to use the 15W40 mineral oil from Vx given the high mileage.

The thinner synth does work well on the multivalve engines but, 0W40 is a little thin, probably fine on lower mileage engines.