Where is my oil going?

[Kentish]

I changed the oil on the MG a few weeks back and it was near the full mark on the dipstick and have done less than 1k miles since and it was on the lowest mark.

It does not blow out any visible blue smoke at start up or under hard acceleration or lift off.

It does not drop oil and the head gasket is also fine.

It does not have any EGR as it's a 1969 car, so gasses (inc smoke) are not being reburnt.

Any ideas where 1 ltr of oil could be going every <1k miles?

[AJI]

The oil has probably just 'settled' over that time period.
Reading the new oil level on a stationary engine usually does give a different result after the engine has run for a few miles.

[Fartgalen]

Can it be that you just had a bit of an air lock, and/or the oil filter was not full, and you checked the oil at that point - without running gthe engine and re-checking ?

Does it always use a litre per 1k miles ?

[Kentish]

Fartgalen said:

Can it be that you just had a bit of an air lock, and/or the oil filter was not full, and you checked the oil at that point - without running gthe engine and re-checking ?

Does it always use a litre per 1k miles ?

You have a good point there, perhaps I checked the level on the refill after the oil change before the filter was full and it is possible that I also had a bit of an airlock.

I'll keep an eye on it.

Cheers,
K

[The Wookie]

Kentish said:

Any ideas where 1 ltr of oil could be going every <1k miles?

Rust proofing I suspect

[Fartgalen]

Kentish said:

Fartgalen said:

Can it be that you just had a bit of an air lock, and/or the oil filter was not full, and you checked the oil at that point - without running gthe engine and re-checking ?

Does it always use a litre per 1k miles ?

You have a good point there, perhaps I checked the level on the refill after the oil change before the filter was full and it is possible that I also had a bit of an airlock.

I'll keep an eye on it.

Cheers,
K

I have a bit of a wierd airlock type problem with the Mondeo.
If I take the stick straight out and check the level, it's down near Min.
But clean the stick, put it back, and check again and it's up at Max.
Must be some sort of airlock on the dipstick tube.

[OnTheOverrun]

I used to have a LR that liked to share a litle bit of it's engine oil with it's gearbox everyday. As the engine oil level went down, the gearbox oil went up!

On the airlock bit, it reminds me of a friend who bought an old 90 and immediately started having problems with it blowing oil out of the breathers and generally acting up like it was overfilled with oil despite him checking it daily. Eventually we worked out the problem - the previous owner had broken the dipstick off just below the cap and reattached it with a blob of polymer resin meaning the dipstick didn't reach down into the oil as far as it should have. . . . . .

[HellDiver]

Fartgalen said:

I have a bit of a wierd airlock type problem with the Mondeo.
If I take the stick straight out and check the level, it's down near Min.
But clean the stick, put it back, and check again and it's up at Max.
Must be some sort of airlock on the dipstick tube.

It's normal, happens on a lot of Ford and Vauxhall engines. In fact, I can't remember if any of my previous cars were anything other than the way you describe. Pull out stick, totally dry. Wipe, redip, and the proper reading is there.

[davepoth]

1 Pint every 500 miles is about par for the course for a 1969 MG (A or B series engine) Especially if it's done a few miles. You'll be burning oil as is works around the piston rings, the valve stem seals will be knackered which will cause it to burn a bit more, and it'll be leaking a bit from the rocker cover gasket and / or crank oil seal if I remember correctly.

[Kentish]

Thanks all, you have put my mind at rest

It could be why my car is so good underneath!

[volvos60s60]

3 great things about cars leaking oil

1. A quick check at the floor as you drive away gives visual confirmation that there has at least been some oil in the engine recently
2. The oil is self changing - you'll never have to do a proper oil change again
3. You can use cheap oil - it's not in there long enough to break down

[Carfiend]

Have you checked the Gulf of Mexico?

[jon-]

volvos60s60 said:

3 great things about cars leaking oil

1. A quick check at the floor as you drive away gives visual confirmation that there has at least been some oil in the engine recently
2. The oil is self changing - you'll never have to do a proper oil change again
3. You can use cheap oil - it's not in there long enough to break down

Point 2 would be perfect if you didn't need to change those pesky filters.

[fatboy b]

If it's Magnatec, it's probably all stuck to the insides.

[The Wookie]

volvos60s60 said:

3 great things about cars leaking oil

1. A quick check at the floor as you drive away gives visual confirmation that there has at least been some oil in the engine recently
2. The oil is self changing - you'll never have to do a proper oil change again
3. You can use cheap oil - it's not in there long enough to break down

I was going to say, I'd be more worried if an MGB stopped leaking oil, as generally it's an indication of there being none left in it!

The 928 is self oil changing... 3,000 miles of thrashing usually does it. Mental note to self - must carry out recommended crankcase breather mods

[supersingle]

4. It's great for stopping corrosion under the car.

[Carfiend]

5. Useful tool for escaping pursuers if ever involved in any international conspiracies.

[Kentish]

Thanks all for givng this your serious attention

[jon-]

Carfiend said:

5. Useful tool for escaping pursuers if ever involved in any international conspiracies.

Ooooh.

6. Impromptu drift sessions

[fatboy b]

jon- said:

Carfiend said:

5. Useful tool for escaping pursuers if ever involved in any international conspiracies.

Ooooh.

6. Impromptu drift sessions

7. Ensure no nut/bolts get seized underneath.