Burning oil

[Quanger]

Hi, can anyone give me some insight into where my car might be burning oil? just got it mot'd there and drove it for two days and lost over 1 litre in oil. there's no smoke but a very strong smell from the exhaust.

[votivequagmire]

Are you sure it's burning it?

[Quanger]

it does'nt have any oil dripping anywhere, and like i said before there is a very strong smell coming from the exhaust.

[Elecblondie]

Have you put your hand or paper into the exhaust stream and looked for the oil? If you can tell when it's burning oil then it's useful to know whether it's burning oil from cold, when warm etc. Obvious candidates I'd go for would be valve guides, valve seals or piston rings if it's actually burning the oil. Loss of crankcase ventilation could be contributing, check the breather for blockage. Also if you tell us what engine it is then perhaps people with a better knowledge of that engine can help a bit more.

[Quanger]

1991 325i. tried paper over the exhaust there from cold and it was clear.

[Elecblondie]

Ok, try going for a drive and then do it.

[stonesie]

You havent said what kind of mileage is involved but a litre in 2 day's? surely if it's burning it then it will be smokeing?

Whip the plugs out and check the colour of them, that can tell you a lot about how the engine is running.

[Quanger]

127000

[Quanger]

You havent said what kind of mileage is involved but a litre in 2 day's? surely if it's burning it then it will be smokeing?

Whip the plugs out and check the colour of them, that can tell you a lot about how the engine is running.

thats what i thought but there's no smoke.

[stonesie]

I ment how far have you driven the car in these 2 days, 127K is usually like water off a duck's back to these engines, some have clocked over 300K and 200K is not that uncommon.

It depends how it has been cared for before you got it though.

[Elecblondie]

Blimey I hadn't actually noted the quantity involved, that's not good

[Quanger]

around 120 mile

[stonesie]

1000/120= 8.33cc/mile

That would deffinatly make a bit of smoke, just drop 1 drip onto your exhaust manifold with the engine running and watch it go.

Where are you based mate? And i would be having those plugs out and posting pics for the experts to have a gander.


If you are totally sure thet theres no significant leaks on the engine then theres a serious problem somwhere.

[Quanger]

i'm from n.ireland i will get some pic's uploaded tomorrow.