Oil consumption
Discussion
I have a Suzuki Swift Sport ZC32S, it's a 1.6 n/a engine and its using a bit of oil, maybe 1l every 1k miles. It's on 80k and hasn't missed an oil change in its lifetime so I think the engine is healthy. No obvious leaks or smoking.
It was last serviced before I bought it 6 months ago, but can't be sure on what oil was used. I know they are quite specific about what you should use, Suzuki recommend 0w-20. If the wrong grade is used could that cause it to be burnt?
I asked on the owners Facebook page, had 10+ responses and everyone said their's doesn't use a drop so I don't think it is normal consumption as you get with some engines. A couple of people suggested to try changing the PCV valve but I'm not convinced by just swapping out parts blindly, and I believe if this was faulty I would experience other symptoms such as a hunting idle or a misfire, is that correct?
The car gets used mainly for commuting so isn't getting thrashed constantly so I'm at a loss as to why it's using oil.
Here is a picture of the spark plugs I changed last month they are long life Iridium and were around 50k miles old.
It was last serviced before I bought it 6 months ago, but can't be sure on what oil was used. I know they are quite specific about what you should use, Suzuki recommend 0w-20. If the wrong grade is used could that cause it to be burnt?
I asked on the owners Facebook page, had 10+ responses and everyone said their's doesn't use a drop so I don't think it is normal consumption as you get with some engines. A couple of people suggested to try changing the PCV valve but I'm not convinced by just swapping out parts blindly, and I believe if this was faulty I would experience other symptoms such as a hunting idle or a misfire, is that correct?
The car gets used mainly for commuting so isn't getting thrashed constantly so I'm at a loss as to why it's using oil.
Here is a picture of the spark plugs I changed last month they are long life Iridium and were around 50k miles old.
Swapping the PCV valve isn't blindly chainging parts, it's a solid suggestion, especially given the other options. If your PCV fails, the engine will experience blowback, pushing oil past the rings & into the combustion chamber. Depending on the design of the valve, it may be possible to clean it out & restore its functionality.
After that on an 80k engine, you are looking at worn valve stem oil seals & then piston rings, neither of which are exactly a cheery afternoon on the driveway with a couple of spanners.
After that on an 80k engine, you are looking at worn valve stem oil seals & then piston rings, neither of which are exactly a cheery afternoon on the driveway with a couple of spanners.
I've been somewhat surprised to note that my partner's 80k Polo 9N 1.2 petrol (2005) no longer uses oil (it did have quite an appalling appetite), and in addition, is is now returning approx 50mpg instead of mid 30's mpg - quite a shocking difference!
We swapped cars for a week due to her needing the big Estate car during that period to ferry her elderly Mother about with Mobility Scooter etc. I wasn't wild keen on living with the petrol Polo for a period when I was going to be doing some proper miles (and I prefer Diesel power), but I was increasingly amazed, each time I dipped the oil, to see no fall on the Dipstick and that it was returning really impressive economy.
The only possible explanation we could come up with was her driving style, and I later noted that she was habitually changing gear far too early and often labouring the engine (eg, getting into 5th gear before 40mph). She'd change up before 2000rpm, where I'd generally change in the region of 3000rpm to 3500rpm. That was over six months ago, I've never topped it up again and it continues to return approx 50mpg instead of low 30's mpg...
...could your driving style be the reason for your particular car consuming oil too?
It's hardly scientific, but it's true
Be particular about using the correct oil in modern engines, check the recommended spec in the Owners Manual and enter that into eBay
We swapped cars for a week due to her needing the big Estate car during that period to ferry her elderly Mother about with Mobility Scooter etc. I wasn't wild keen on living with the petrol Polo for a period when I was going to be doing some proper miles (and I prefer Diesel power), but I was increasingly amazed, each time I dipped the oil, to see no fall on the Dipstick and that it was returning really impressive economy.
The only possible explanation we could come up with was her driving style, and I later noted that she was habitually changing gear far too early and often labouring the engine (eg, getting into 5th gear before 40mph). She'd change up before 2000rpm, where I'd generally change in the region of 3000rpm to 3500rpm. That was over six months ago, I've never topped it up again and it continues to return approx 50mpg instead of low 30's mpg...
...could your driving style be the reason for your particular car consuming oil too?
It's hardly scientific, but it's true
Be particular about using the correct oil in modern engines, check the recommended spec in the Owners Manual and enter that into eBay
I have no idea what it's use was like before I had it but I'm doing 30 miles a day to work and back on mainly hilly country roads, so the car gets plenty warm enough and I have the opportunity to extend it through the revs when necessary, but I'm mainly pottering along in the correct gear so I'm doubtful it has anything to do with my use or driving style but interesting point all the same.
I think changing the oil first to what Suzuki recommend, I can at least rule that out then. I have seen Petronas is keenly priced at Opie Oils so I might give that a try.
I think changing the oil first to what Suzuki recommend, I can at least rule that out then. I have seen Petronas is keenly priced at Opie Oils so I might give that a try.
Garett said:
The PCV valve was blocked, and has now been replaced. The first time I took it into high revs after replacing it kicked out an almighty cloud of blue smoke and has been fine since! Hopefully this has cured the oil consumption issue.
Good result, thanks for letting us know the solution too I'm not sure I'd be revving a questionable engine into the "blue smoke" territory but each to their own.
The usual reason for older engines to consume oil is simply wear. And "older" has as much to do with how it's been driven as it has to do with age or mileage. Unless you've experienced a miraculous cure on the oil consumption front I'd be treating the car quite gently. Worn engines can keep on running for a very long time of you keep them topped up with fresh oil and drive sensibly.
The usual reason for older engines to consume oil is simply wear. And "older" has as much to do with how it's been driven as it has to do with age or mileage. Unless you've experienced a miraculous cure on the oil consumption front I'd be treating the car quite gently. Worn engines can keep on running for a very long time of you keep them topped up with fresh oil and drive sensibly.
Panamax said:
I'm not sure I'd be revving a questionable engine into the "blue smoke" territory but each to their own.
The usual reason for older engines to consume oil is simply wear. And "older" has as much to do with how it's been driven as it has to do with age or mileage. Unless you've experienced a miraculous cure on the oil consumption front I'd be treating the car quite gently. Worn engines can keep on running for a very long time of you keep them topped up with fresh oil and drive sensibly.
There's always one isn't there? Bloody hellThe usual reason for older engines to consume oil is simply wear. And "older" has as much to do with how it's been driven as it has to do with age or mileage. Unless you've experienced a miraculous cure on the oil consumption front I'd be treating the car quite gently. Worn engines can keep on running for a very long time of you keep them topped up with fresh oil and drive sensibly.
5w 30 seems to be what most people use and what most places recommend, including Opie Oils who from my experience are usually pretty consistent.
Car actually seems to pick up a little more readily from lower rpm now but other than that runs the same as it did. I'm fairly confident it is sorted and won't use as much as it was doing, if any at all. Not quite sure what Panamax was getting at but I'm sure it made sense to them when they typed it!
Car actually seems to pick up a little more readily from lower rpm now but other than that runs the same as it did. I'm fairly confident it is sorted and won't use as much as it was doing, if any at all. Not quite sure what Panamax was getting at but I'm sure it made sense to them when they typed it!
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