Hi all,

My trusty old 1997 TE Magna bought in 1999 with 15000km is now consuming eng oil. Its at the rate of 1L every 1200-1500km per month. The car has 273000km and has always been serviced religiously according to the schedule. Cant complain really as it has given the family 11 years of economical reliable service. Still on the original clutch LOL. The high consumption is noticeable as I rarely had too top up the oil between services (15000km or 4-5 months). Yes I know some of you change oil every 7500km.

Whats interesting is my 1990 Honda Prelude with 230000km hardly needs a drop between 10000km service intervals. I checked the previous owners service log and this thing got serviced every 5000km up to 140000km when I got it. Wonder if this has helped the Honda engine in the long run. Maybe when I replace the magna Ill halve the oil change intervals.

Still the fuel consumption and overall performance still seem quite good for a car with such high mileage.

I was told that after 120000 kays the 3.0 V6 will start to use oil, and right on cue i had to top up between services, but nowhere near 1lt every 1500ks.Id check for leaks, possibly change to thicker oil next service, but at 270K id reasonably expect oil use to increase, not sure what everyone else has experienced.....

Yeah thanks thexecblue.

The old girl doesnt leak any oil onto the driveway that Ive noticed, though all the gaskets started too seap oil years ago. It noticeable as dust/crap collects on the seaping gaskets. Im sure the loss of oil is through the engine burning it, not a leak. Interestingly the Honda engine is spottles when it comes too oil leaks excepy for a small leak from the sump which leaves a small mark on the driveway. Still its bugger all and no top up betwwen oil changes is needed

Maybe its time too look at a sweet Manual VRX. Seen a few unmolested examples on carsales for not huge money.

Try using a thicker oil for a start - 20W50 at least. Until it starts leaving a trail of smoke I personally wouldn't worry as oil is very cheap compared to the cost of an overhaul.

Just out of interest, it's surpising how times have changed - I'm reading an instruction book for a 1950 Standard Vanguard and it says - " It is desirable to drain the oil every 1000 miles (1600km) and refil with fresh oil" and "After many thousands of miles running the rate of oil consumption will increase. When the rate becomes higher than 1 gallon per 1.000 miles (1 litre per 400km), it will be desireable to use the next heavier grade of the brand of oil you normally employ"
When I was a kid in the 50's, most cars left a trail of smoke behind them!

Might try and get someone to follow you will you do a drive cycle and see when the smoke occures. If you do alot of city driving it might just be the valve stem seals. Like hako said switch to a 20/50 if you already haven't already and bring the service intervals down to 10,000 k's.

Cheers Dave.

15,000kms between oil change is too long, for mineral oil anyway, i do mine the next chance i get after 5,000 kms

First of all you need to find out where the oil is going

Warm up the engine, leave idle for a few mins, give a rev and see if you get a puff of smoke if so, your stem seals are on the way out

15000 is far too long, especially if you do shorter trips, 5 -8k or every 6 months is ideal, if you do many short trips like my wife does every 3 months, that is what her car gets as the engine does not even really warm up most trips

Your best option with those miles is a nice fresh 3.5, yo will not know yourself with one of these, the torque is fantastic and you can run it straight off your 3.0 ecu

Thanks Madmagna,

I know the old girl doesnt blow any visible smoke as Ive had a few opportunities to end up following the missuses on the way home. No smoke on start up or when you give it a bootful of revs. Will shorten the intervals down to 10k but the damage is done as the old girl has 270k.

Seriously I CBF doing an engine transplant on a 13 yo car with clear coat coming off the roof. Its got 13 yo worn interior, no airbags, no ABS, no elec windows. Dont get me wrong shes been a faithful old girl thats done everyting asked of her and more. But Id rather a newer manual VRX with around 100000km. Seen em getting around for 10k. Good honest cheap motoring with a decent blend of handling and performance.

First of all you need to find out where the oil is going

Warm up the engine, leave idle for a few mins, give a rev and see if you get a puff of smoke if so, your stem seals are on the way out

15000 is far too long, especially if you do shorter trips, 5 -8k or every 6 months is ideal, if you do many short trips like my wife does every 3 months, that is what her car gets as the engine does not even really warm up most trips

Your best option with those miles is a nice fresh 3.5, yo will not know yourself with one of these, the torque is fantastic and you can run it straight off your 3.0 ecu

Mal, what is the cost of replacing a set of stem seals?

As I think mine are on the way out...