Think Losing Oil

MRpunchinella · Post by **MRpunchinella** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:19 am

See that my oil level is now at minimum level following the 400 miles of the weekend. Oil smells a little burnt

. no real thrash over the B roads but a couple of 2nd gear overtakes and quite a few 3rd gear corners.

got two little trails of oil here, very slight, very thin; but noticeable -

Its not soot deposits, any ideas

going to change oil and filter ASAP to allow

, but any suggestions of other inspections that I should be making would be very gratefully received.

Punch

Punch

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:34 am

Lotus reckon 1L/1000 miles is acceptable oil usage on the engine - min-to-max on the dip stick is 1L IIRC, so if you went min-to-max in 400 miles, you have a problem. I would be upset if I was using 1L/5000 miles, TBH.

What's the mileage and is the engine tuned at all.

I would remove the undertray and look for any drips of oil on the inside - crankshaft oil seals are a common failure on higher mileage cars. The sumps sometimes leak too.

For a high mileage (especially if tuned) it is quite likely is you're burning it due to weak piston rings/badly worn pistons. Suggest you run a compression test.

For just about any mileage K-series, HGF is always an option - check the coolant expansion tank (when cold) for signs of either black sludge or a film of floating oil. These would most likely indicate HGF in the oil->coolant direction.

Cheers,
Robin

MRpunchinella · Post by **MRpunchinella** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:28 pm

Thanks....there is 55k on the clock and it is a tuned 135 (to i believe a modest 150)...

got oil on undertray....not alot...just a thin film with some grit etc ...nothing smelling burnt or anything i would descrbe as being heavy deposits of oil.......nothing in expansion tank that shouldnt be there...all looks like new TBH.....

not a drop or sign of oil anywhere at all in general engine bay ...all really clean.....

no puffs of smoke on hard accelleration

(got someone to follow me

)...no nasty noises at all.......very comprehensive service B4 me......

anything i can do for the sump leak..if thats the problem

Should i change oil and watch...or top up oil and watch......

sorry if sounds dumb...would rather spend cash than risk anything....thanks

Punch

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:40 pm

Change the oil and watch

Clean the undertray well and keep an eye on it for fresh spots. Do this after the oil change though!

Could be a valve stem seal seeping a bit, it will pool on the valve overnight and get blasted out on start. I would expect a puff of smoke on start though. however it might be masked by condensation burning off.

MRpunchinella · Post by **MRpunchinella** » Wed May 30, 2007 3:04 pm

thanks for help - will do!

Punch

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:12 pm

Yeah doesn't sound like much - what do you reckon the consumption/1000 miles is - best change oil, get level spot on, then keep an eye on it.

Cheers,
Robin