oil burner!

[twig]

OK, I've heard diesels tend to use some oil, especially when they're running in. However, mine's a 98 TDi, 130k-ish miles (well run-in, hopefully plenty more to go!) and it's "using" oil.

Now, this isn't a huge amount of oil, but enough that I'd like to sort it if it's something I can do myself.

I don't reckon it's a leak cos my driveway's dry so I guess my question is - what are the ways that oil could be burning? And is there any easy-ish way to tell?

Apologies is this is an old topic - I couldn't find anything on a search.

Any ideas much appreciated.

 

[cheshire cat]

I guess the first thing is how mutch----then, it can only be duff rings, valve oil seals or tubo seals, a compression test might be a start, and an intercooler and pipe check and clean if needed ps oil intercepted from the ccv (on mine) is about twenty Mil's per 1K miles I guess it would be more on your's re:milage

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

do u boot it all the time, my old car had thin oil , and if booted would need to keep toppin up , not sure same principal on a derv ??

 

[twig]

Thanks guys.
I'm not sure how much it uses - will have a check of it tomororow
Andrew - I don't boot it too much - probably same as most people I guess.

 

[RobTheHood]

Mine uses little oil and can go between services without a top up, it does use some tho'. At what rate do u need to top up?

 

[glynnd]

Mine is an 04 pd150 and uses approx 300ml every 10k
Glynn

 

[twig]

finally got round to topping up and it's looking like 300ml per 1500 miles; possibly a little more as I seem to remember I over-filled last time.

 

[Jayt]

that sounds a bit drastic imo, possible if you overfilled it by to much last time you might have cause some damage to the seals inside the engine. only a possibilty, i would jack the car up and take the cover off on the bottom and make sure the sump isnt dripping or the bung isnt tight or any other leaks that wouldnt be obvious with the skid plate in place.