SUDDEN THIRST FOR OIL?
Discussion
Elise 111S seems to be using quite a bit of oil - about 1/4 of a normal carton of Mobil 1 every 500 miles or so - its done about 23,000 miles and is in need of a service - could it be something to do with needing a new filter etc? Its a recent problem and has been fine to now. Water level ok and water as clear as it should be. Any ideas?
Unlikely to be anything directly to do with the oil filter (though a long overdue oil change might be a cause, if you are in the habit of being lax with service intervals).
Oil has got to go somewhere: it will either be leaking out, or burning off.
Major leaks should be obvious if you take the undertray, off.
Major oil burning tends to imply shagged engine in most cases, and will show up as exhaust smoke if it is really bad - typically due to worn rings or bores, valve guides/valve stem oil seals etc. On an engine of that mileage, it is usually due to thrashing the car and/or infrequent oil changes, though of course there can be 'rogue' failures or wear.
Smoke on start up or on the over-run tends to indicate valve stems. Smoke on acceleration/under load tends to point to pistons.
Oil has got to go somewhere: it will either be leaking out, or burning off.
Major leaks should be obvious if you take the undertray, off.
Major oil burning tends to imply shagged engine in most cases, and will show up as exhaust smoke if it is really bad - typically due to worn rings or bores, valve guides/valve stem oil seals etc. On an engine of that mileage, it is usually due to thrashing the car and/or infrequent oil changes, though of course there can be 'rogue' failures or wear.
Smoke on start up or on the over-run tends to indicate valve stems. Smoke on acceleration/under load tends to point to pistons.
1/2 L every 1K isnt too bad if the car is being driven hard all the time. Have you changed the type of oil recently? Oil consumption on my car has varied from 1/4l every 1K (motorway mostly) to 1L (trackdays) I generally avg 1/4l every 1K at the moment - my engine is in a high state of tune though and has done 44K miles
Id get it serviced and checked over then just keep an eye on it
Id get it serviced and checked over then just keep an eye on it
I too have a 111S with 23K on the clock. Mine uses virtually no oil at all. It is not driven "hard" as such, but it is my everyday car, come rain wind or shine.
If like me, you're probably coming up for your first B service? My advice, book it in early and have the car looked at properly. If it has suddenly taken to using oil the way you say, then something is amiss.
If like me, you're probably coming up for your first B service? My advice, book it in early and have the car looked at properly. If it has suddenly taken to using oil the way you say, then something is amiss.
Cheers chaps - it was after a good hoon and a track day, where it did bounce off the limiter a good few times so it was working hard in the upper 6s and 7s most of the time - hopefully that is all. Had a pootle at the weekend and it didn't seem to use much - its very black and sludgy looking though - but is being serviced next week so I'll mention it to them.
A *really* good tip for engines in general is to change the oil inbetween services...or every 2k in some instances (heavily tracked cars)
It makes a massive difference to the way the engine sounds and obviously extends the life of the engine too.
Goes without saying to use the right oil!
It makes a massive difference to the way the engine sounds and obviously extends the life of the engine too.
Goes without saying to use the right oil!
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