High Oil Consumption after Spark Plug Change

[jack789]

I have a 2004 E46 330 Coupe with 63,0000 miles. She goes great, petrol consumption is good but oil use has jumped after major service.

After the major service when the spark plugs are replaced the oil consumption dropped from 1000 miles a litre to 400.

Could the garage have trapped a breather pipe or something, when the car is fairly hot there is I think an oily smell coming from the engine area.

Thanks guys.

JACK

[stevesingo]

Maybe they have used the incorrect grade/different grade oil.

One thing is certain. Spark plugs have zero effect on oil consumption.

[gizlaroc]

I would agree, at a service I would be checking what oil they put in?

I would probably use a 5w40 or even a 10w40 at that age and see how that goes.

[philmots]

As some others have said. Doing the plugs is basic on them and doesn't require anything major coming off so can't see that being the issue.

Thy may of used a thinner oil than what was in it, 5/30 is recommended in them, I used 5/40 in my last and it was lots happier...

What's the actual oil level like? Has it being overfilled? That may cause the oily burning smell?

[RC1]

she's a puppy but the m54 block is known to eat rocker cover gaskets and they often leak at the rear causing oil to weep onto the exhaust manifold hence the smell....

confirm the viscosity oil used by the garage and then get the fault codes read before chasing potential causes...

[jack789]

Thanks for the replies. Yesterday after a 7 mile drive I opened the bonnet to see wispy smoke coming up from the engine on the drivers side. This may confirm RC1 thought of the gasket. The oil in car is Mobil 1 0-40. I have tried Castrol 5-30 no difference.