excessive oil consumption
Discussion
Would a leaky PCV cause the above problem?
I've taken the PCV off and it allows air to pass the wrong way continuously, occasionally blocking off, but can then be made too leak again with a slight tap (on an running engine I'd imagine it was always open).
Car is a 2000 1.8 with 59k on the clock. Oil consumption is around 1000 per 500 miles. No obvious smoke, apart from when at high revs (I'm hoping its not valve rings etc).
So would/could a leaky PCV cause this?
I've taken the PCV off and it allows air to pass the wrong way continuously, occasionally blocking off, but can then be made too leak again with a slight tap (on an running engine I'd imagine it was always open).
Car is a 2000 1.8 with 59k on the clock. Oil consumption is around 1000 per 500 miles. No obvious smoke, apart from when at high revs (I'm hoping its not valve rings etc).
So would/could a leaky PCV cause this?
The 1.8 Mk 2's are known for eating oil,and the false gauge dose not help,the 2.5 VVT engine dose not suffer from it,thats why they changed the engine so soon into production on the 2,most of the work was done on the head for the new model,the 1.6 is safe also.
The s/hand market for the Mk 2 1.8cc engine is big because of this problem when owners are trusting the false gauge and the engine has no oil left and pop goes the engine.
Speak to my other half Andrew at Autolink for confirmation on the above.
But yours does seem like a lot to be losing??
The s/hand market for the Mk 2 1.8cc engine is big because of this problem when owners are trusting the false gauge and the engine has no oil left and pop goes the engine.
Speak to my other half Andrew at Autolink for confirmation on the above.
But yours does seem like a lot to be losing??
It does seem alot.
If I drive it normally it uses minimal oil, maybe 100mls over 500miles, however I was called into work twice over Christmas and drove it a lot harder than usual (I usually cruise at 60 on the motorway)... Checked yesterday and was very low on oil.
Surely stem valves etc wouldnt be damaged in such a low mileage car (as it smokes at high revs and on start up till warm (White/grey smoke, doesn't look blue).).
I'll swap the pcv over when the new one arrives, and observe it for a little bit.
I think I'll postpone trackdays till it's sorted, it drank a phenomenal amount at cadwell before Christmas.
If I drive it normally it uses minimal oil, maybe 100mls over 500miles, however I was called into work twice over Christmas and drove it a lot harder than usual (I usually cruise at 60 on the motorway)... Checked yesterday and was very low on oil.
Surely stem valves etc wouldnt be damaged in such a low mileage car (as it smokes at high revs and on start up till warm (White/grey smoke, doesn't look blue).).
I'll swap the pcv over when the new one arrives, and observe it for a little bit.
I think I'll postpone trackdays till it's sorted, it drank a phenomenal amount at cadwell before Christmas.
It had the cambelt replaced just before I bought it, and I'm wondering if they either reused the seal or put a new one on incorrectly. The bolts on the cam cover are very tight, so I may get some new bolts too.
Hopefully these two little things will account for the oil consumption.
It did puff a little blue smoke on start up, but this was after I cleaned out number 4 spark plug hole, so a little may have dropped in to the chamber (that's what I'm hopeing).
Then I can set about enjoying it
Hopefully these two little things will account for the oil consumption.
It did puff a little blue smoke on start up, but this was after I cleaned out number 4 spark plug hole, so a little may have dropped in to the chamber (that's what I'm hopeing).
Then I can set about enjoying it

If the cam cover bolts are very tight then that might well cause the leak. They should be fitted with a very low torque as they are going into aluminium threads. Also, for that reason I doubt you need to replace them. When you refit them just put a dab of copper grease on the threads.
Ahhh I understand now, I assumed the bolts could stretch.
I need to get a proper small torque wrench to check, but I couldn't budge them tonight.
The cam gasket has silicone all round it and not just in the corners, so who knows.
Cheers for the help, hopefully the cam gasket and pcv will account for oil loss, and I can use the car properly.
I need to get a proper small torque wrench to check, but I couldn't budge them tonight.
The cam gasket has silicone all round it and not just in the corners, so who knows.
Cheers for the help, hopefully the cam gasket and pcv will account for oil loss, and I can use the car properly.
In the end I took it to FreeLance Mazda down in Chatham.
100% oil rings. Service history looks a bit iffy too.
Very annoying, but it's getting a new engine put in, as it is just as cheap to do this than change the rings and rebore.
Bit annoyed as it must have been like this when I bought it, and the service history is questionable.
However the car is solid, and once the new engine goes in, the car should need minimal tlc for a good few years.
I've chalked it up to experience... If it looks too cheap... There is usually a reason.
100% oil rings. Service history looks a bit iffy too.
Very annoying, but it's getting a new engine put in, as it is just as cheap to do this than change the rings and rebore.
Bit annoyed as it must have been like this when I bought it, and the service history is questionable.
However the car is solid, and once the new engine goes in, the car should need minimal tlc for a good few years.
I've chalked it up to experience... If it looks too cheap... There is usually a reason.
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