Heavy Oil Usage

[discostu117]

Hi,

I've had my van since October last year and it has always got through a large amount of oil. I have never noticed any oil leaks or oil on the ground where it's parked. I have only noticed a small amount of white smoke on start up and there doesn't seem to be any signs of oil in the coolant.

The van has recently had a new filter and oil change using 15W 40 mineral oil as kindly advised by the guys on here. Since then I have driven 400 miles without any problems with it starting or running. I have however had to top up the oil with nearly 2 litres.

So my main question is what could be the possible cause of this high usage and should I get it seen to ASAP?
I've got it booked in for some other work so could get it seen to at the same time.

Thanks

[discostu117]

Oh and it's a 1986 1.9 Petrol engine with a new stainless exhaust.

[Red Westie]

Well if you can't see it leaking and it's not in the coolant then it must be burning it.
Several possibilities, none are good I'm afraid.
Worn piston rings/bores
Worn valve guides
Excessive crank case pressure due to 'blow by' or blocked breather where oil is being blown up the breather pipe into the air filter (but this is normally visable with plooms of smoke)

Martin

[discostu117]

Thanks Martin,

Is this something that I can live with or should I get it seen to in order to avoid damage to the engine?

Cheers

[Red Westie]

You could live with it but that amount of oil being burnt may result in the plugs fouling and MOT failure due to excessive hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. You aren't making it worse by running it (as long as the oil doesn't get too low of course.

Martin

[discostu117]

Great, thanks for your help