Using alot of oil

dizzybuff

if i can avoid getting rid for a bit I will. the body work on the car isnt good so i wont get anything part exchange and it will have to be scrapped. My poor little car . Ive had it 8 years iot dosnt owe me anything.

Diz

dizzybuff

off to costco later, hoping they have oil in .

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

NO NO NO NO NO...

When Ford say 5w30, they mean 5w30.

That's for a new / well maintained engine not for a knackered one using a litre a week!
As engines wear you need to use a thicker grade oil or else be prepared to keep topping up.

http://passionford.com/forum/ford-focus/452624-oil-for-a-high-mileage-1-8-petrol-zetec.html

" I have a very high mileage (175k) focus that has been ran for a good few years by the previous owner on 10w40. It currently loses no/ very little oil."

dizzybuff

Okay Im even more confused now

dizzybuff

Will the viscosity of the oil effect the running.

XenonXR

I have a 1.8 Zetec (mk2) Mondeo and it uses very little oil (175,000 miles) but does need topping up at least once once between oil changes. As I understand it the Duratec engine that replaced the Zetec does have higher oil consumption but not at the level you have described.

EdGasket

dizzybuff wrote: »

Will the viscosity of the oil effect the running.

A little in that a thicker oil creates more 'drag' so you will use a little extra petrol however your worn bearings will be better protected from the thicker oil and your piston rings will seal better with the thicker oil so won't burn as much..

Manufacturers specify a thin oil because it improves mpg on which they get measured.

True a thinner oil also gives you better protection at start up but using a thicker oil is not going to make much difference on the engine here that already has considerable wear. The other thing is that hydraulic tappets prefer a thinner oil so the oilways don't get blocked. Swings and roundabouts. I've been using 15w40 in my old hyundai 165K miles; tappets are noise but not excessive and have been like that since 100K. It burns oil especially when cold (presume stuck piston rings) hence the 15w40 reduces consumption.

Norman_Castle

A litre a week through the rocker cover gasket would be visible on the engine and the ground. Also, if it is the rocker cover gasket thicker oil will make no difference and if it is the rocker cover gasket this should be relatively cheap to replace.

How often do you check the level?. To suddenly start using a litre a week suggests a leak which you would see. Keep checking over the next few weeks to see if this consumption continues. Is it possible you've over or under read one of the last two checks?

dizzybuff

No Leak that I can see. Ive topped it up twice in the last two weeks. I check it every sunday . Im a bit anal with my car so all levele get checked every week. Im not sure what im looking for on the engine , ive had a look but cant see anything that sticks out. no specific smell either . I have a heightened sense of smell due to being deaf and i cant smell anything.

Still trying to decide what vicosity of oil to get. Dependant on what the garage says this weekend I may be looking for another car.

dizzybuff

there is no foamy water and it seems to be running fine. Im at a loss.