Oil consumption in between oil change..1/2 litre!! WHY?

[Driving Instructor]

Hi,

I just noticed that I have "consumed" 1/2 a litre of oil over the spand of an oil change. This is the first time and I now have 124 000 kms and it's time for an oil change: less then 6000 kms and I am running Fully synthetic from the dealer.

Why why why....???????

[mightyversa]

Hey there, I have done the Automotive Service Technician course and have an answer for you.

Slight amounts of oil is used to lubricate the piston rings and is then burned in the combustion chamber. This is normal amongst many vehicle makes and models.

Another possiblility is the "blow by" created by the piston rings. If you throw your engine into a battle against another, more blow by is created, therefore, resulting in oil being recirculated into the intake system, in turn, consuming the oil. Check your PCV valve by putting it into your hand and shaking it like a rattle. If you hear it rattling then it is good, if not, then get a new one. You might also want to check your air filter for it might have oil saturated on it as well causing unwanted MPG loss!!

[1_Sleek_Versa]

Hi Driving Instructor,

My first question is, do you use synthetic oil since day 1 in your Versa or you change for synthetic oil later?

I've had this little problem in one of my cars with synthectic oil. I was at 40,000 km using regular oil when I decided to switch to synthetic. When I was using regular oil I had no oil cunsumption problems.

As soon as I switched to the synthetic I noticed oil consumption approximately 1/2l every 5000km. I switched back to normal oil after running synthetic for apprx. 25,000km and the the problem stopped.

Pretty weird if you ask me.

[Slither]

My understanding is some oil consumption from time to time is normal.

Remember all the flap caused by the Cadillac Northstar?

[fjwagner]

I would assume that your use of the Versa as a driving instructor is pretty harsh conditions. 1/2 litre does not seem like that much to me in that scenario, but probably should be monitored since this is the first time you have observed this. One of the main advantages of synthetic is that it reaches key engine parts more quickly than dino oil, so I would not switch. That initial cold engine start is potentially the most damaging, so synthetic is the way to go. However, I would run 5000 miles at the minimum before changing since you are using synthetic. I have done multiple oil analysis after oil changes and I have never seen oil degradation that concerns me at 5-7 k miles. Fred

[BBISHOPPCM]

My Versa consumes a small but noticeable amount of oil from time to time, sometimes none, sometimes more. It's all perfectly normal. If you notice blue smoke pouring from the exhaust, or the check engine light is on due to fouling plugs or oxygen sensors, than you have a major problem on your hands!

[cj672cru]

sometimes u hear about things like this. although that is normal. what i did was use 5w30 Mobil conventional oil for the first 3000 miles then switched to 5w30 full synthetic Mobil 1 oil. it gives the piston rings time to seat and break in. if u use synthetic right off the bat it has too much additives in it and doesnt let the rings seat and break in therefore u get more blowby past the rings and more oil consumption occurs. use a good oil like Mobil 1. conventional oil sucks and large carbon buildup occurs in motors that use just conventional oil. timing chain services, cam services occur more frequent on those motors that use cheap conventional. oh and check the crank seal on yer car. i had the same problem with my versa @ 10k and that took care of it.

[fjwagner]

if u use synthetic right off the bat it has too much additives in it and doesnt let the rings seat and break in therefore u get more blowby past the rings and more oil consumption occurs. \

That just is not true. Many cars start off with synthetic from day 1. This is just one of those myths out there about motor oils.

[Driving Instructor]

Just an update......... I went back to conventional oil and no more oil loss.

134 000 kms........

[Shad0wXCalibur]

conventional oil sucks and large carbon buildup occurs in motors that use just conventional oil. timing chain services, cam services occur more frequent on those motors that use cheap conventional. oh and check the crank seal on yer car. i had the same problem with my versa @ 10k and that took care of it.

Maybe in the older days. Conventional oils keep your engine nearly just as clean as long as you keep up with changing it on time. Unless you live in the extreme ends of weather, conventional or synthetic blend is all that's necessary for a 1.8 liter econobox. Synthetic was created for high performance engines, hard-driven engines, and temperature extremes. To the people that throw redline and or Royal Purple in your Versa, you are in fact, wasting money.

Synthetic does help in preventing less wear (but by very little) but by the time you get to the point of the engine finally breaking down and consuming massive amounts of oil, the rest of the car will already be completely falling apart.