where does all the oil go?!?!

[r34 gtr]

i dont have a clue where it goes to.

last night was a prime example, i went to the airport to pick up my best friend, who is visiting for the weekend from florida at about 10pm. the airport in huntsville is about 20-30 minutes from my house, depending on traffic, so it isnt exactly the shortest drive, but neither is it really long. i pull into the airport and roll down my window to press the button on the electronic ticket thingy and hear my car going "knock knock knock knock knock" really loudly. i mean, i had my stereo up fairly loud and it easily overpowered the music. i pull into the first parking space i see and shut it off - screw letting the turbo cool down, id rather that than look for a new block and internals. i got my friend and called my dad. i told him the car sounded like it was about to throw a rod and may need his help. i went and popped the hood, then looked at the dipstick. nothing. the dipstick was dry, completely. no joke, there wasnt even one drop of oil in there. i looked at the exhaust cam through the oil fill in the valve cover and for what i could see it was dry too. i called my dad and about an hour later he showed up with about 10 cases of castrol. we filled it about a quart over, figuring if it was losing it rapidly it was better to stock it up, and that too much is waaay better than too little.

(this is the second time it has done this too me in a year, by the way)

ok, now i checked the oil about 2 weeks ago and it was full. there is none on the ground where i park and the car does not smoke. im absolutely clueless. my guess is the turbo sucks the wang and burns it all up. if this is the case, it is absolutely wonderful, as i need an excuse to trash it for a dual ball bearing one. if you guys dont think its the turbo, but rather something more expensive and vital, i will proceed to go cry.

- tim

[float_6969]

If the tubo was sucking it up, you'd get blue smoke. Make sure your valve cover gaskets aren't leaking and that your oil pan isn't leaking. Also, did you replace the rear mainseal? I had to replace mine. But then you would see oil on the ground. Ofcourse there is always the oil grimilin story, but I think they eliminated most of those in the dark ages....

[paul_s13]

Make sure your valve cover gaskets aren't leaking

Thats usually the main culprit, the bolts have a habit of loosening themselves.

[float_6969]

Darn engine goblins...

[r34 gtr]

sorry it took so long to respond, but i only just got my computer back in the game. damn windows xp home edition sucks ballsack.

my guess is that running too rich was washing the oil off of the cylinder walls. over the course of a week or so i guess it could have run it out of oil. ill look at those bolts and see if they need tightening.

- tim

[float_6969]

If you were running rich enough to wash the walls, I don't think your car would be running, at least not very well.

[r34 gtr]

well, it wasnt. did you see those air/fuel graphs? if not, go look at them. the post is called "can someone...". its near the bottom of the page now. the car is currently running with about 5 quarts of oil in it, how bad is this? should i quickly drain it and put the proper amount in or is it not going to be the end of the world if i dont?

- tim

[float_6969]

well you don't want to run it too full as it will be up to the level of the crankshaft and can cause foaming wich can potentially cause the oil pump to draw air and the system to loose prime. I don't think I need to explain why that is bad. You probabally need to take the extra quart out, but you don't need to drain the whole thing.

[r34 gtr]

im just gonna change the oil on saturday. it needs it anyway as its gone 2300 miles and im a douche.

- tim

[float_6969]

LOL. well keep it at 4 quarts this time...

[r34 gtr]

itll start out at 4 quarts anyway....end up at zero im sure. its only a matter of time. checked the valve cover and its on tight. doesnt smoke at all and ive not seen any oil anywhere. it would be helpful if my friggin oil light worked when it should. it only comes on if i just changed the oil. any ideas how i can set up an early warning system?

- tim

[nolaws4evr]

Ive got a great idea. why dont you gimme your number and Ill stop by and share it with ya. seriously tho, I would like to come by and check out your car. I live down on the southside of Hville, and as you can see in my sig... would be nice to meet up witcha.

Josh

[r34 gtr]

hey, sweet, someone from huntsville! thats freaking cool. i live over by grissom, on weatherly, if that helps. my cell # is 694-1452. ill have it on, but it may not be with me as i tend to leave it in my car during school.

- tim