Technical oil usage?

[Chriselectrics]

my panda 312 model new last december
Take in, for first check up at 10,000 miles and it had used 2lts of oil.
I don't understand this as its the same engine as the 04 punto which never used oil! has any one else seen this?

 

[Tom95]

I'm guessing you've got the 1.2 FIRE?

I've done 6,000kms (about 4,000 miles) in mine. So far, the level hasn't moved at all.

High oil consumption during the running-in period isn't unheard of, but 2 litres does sound excessive.

 

[Chriselectrics]

panda pop 1.2

 

[babbo_umbro]

panda pop 1.2

Mrs b_u's 60-reg 1.2 uses virtually no oil - which is just as well as she never checks it.

 

[AAB1992]

I had reasonably high oil usage on my 2012 1.2 8v. I used to do around 1500 miles a month and it would be on the bottom 3rd of the dipstick and would require filling every month

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

There's a missing bit here: you say the oil was low when checked at 10,000 miles. But what was it like when you checked it at 9000, 8000 etc... surely this wasn't the first time the dipstick was checked?

 

[Dustyjoe]

If you have to put oil in every month i would be concerned, this is not normal and that oil must be going somewhere, either a leak or burning off. IE through the piston rings.

 

[Chriselectrics]

Never checked it as I've got a punto with the same engine and its never used oil.
Doing the same mileage so though that it would never be an issue. Will be checking it once a month now.
Just want to know if this is common for this car. As I've had other motors which use oil,because they where sucking small amounts though the carb which is what they where designed to do to reduce emissions? If it keeps doing the oil thing i will be taking it back to the dealer. But just wanted to know if I'm right to be concerned?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Never checked it as I've got a punto with the same engine and its never used oil.

So the fact is that its potentially not used any oil then, and never been at the correct level to start with.......

2L is a lot, and will be off the dipstick, and likely to cause engine damage.

I'd get it topped up (assuming its not already been done) and keep and eye on it with your WEEKLY checks that everyone is supposed to do with their cars.

How often do you check your tyres?

 

[Super Uwe]

I had reasonably high oil usage on my 2012 1.2 8v. I used to do around 1500 miles a month and it would be on the bottom 3rd of the dipstick and would require filling every month

Not sure if ours was quite as drastic as yours, but yes, our 2012 1.2 8v Easy was also a bit of a glugger!

However I did check the manual and it was always within the limits, but not by a huge amount. Often had to top up at least every couple of months.

We have had two 1.2 8v 500s and a 1.4 8v Punto and none of them have really used much at all. The Punto for example has used about 400 ml in the past twelve months/9500 miles.

Anyway, Chriselectrics - as you say, keep an eye on it each month and see if you can compare your usage to the limits specified in the manual. I cannot remember off the top of my head what they are, but I guess you will soon be able to tell if it is excessive or not.

 

[Super Uwe]

my panda 312 model new last december
Take in, for first check up at 10,000 miles and it had used 2lts of oil.
I don't understand this as its the same engine as the 04 punto which never used oil! has any one else seen this?

Oh, sorry to ask, but this first check up you talk about - is that the first check up with your Fiat dealer as specified in the service manual?

If so, how much did they charge if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Chriselectrics]

yes it was the first inspection.
they charged £64 inc two litres of oil.
so about £14 for oil which is not the bad really.

 

[chr1s]

* wonders if they actually used less than 2 litres of oil, but rounded the quantity up when charging *

 

[Super Uwe]

yes it was the first inspection.
they charged £64 inc two litres of oil.
so about £14 for oil which is not the bad really.

Thanks for the info, that's very helpful indeed.

So basically £50 for this first year inspection. OK, that's not terrible to be fair. I just had visions of Fiat dealers charging three figures for a basic check.

 

[Chriselectrics]

Hi All
This one is very juicy....
I was happy driving my panda for nearly two years until the engine management light starts to come on ..
Thursday morning: limited flashing
Friday morning: limited flashing
Friday evening: Stayed on and was running on three cylinders
Ran garage Saturday
Monday drop it in a week later they had spent£1700
And changed the bottom engine cog (one by the belt)
Heaped out again and they had it for another week.
Collected car and dropped it to my better half as I needed her car..
It heaped out on a junction and nearly killed her...
Then they had the car for nearly three weeks around Christmas ..
just got it back and they have changed the engine £4250 + labour
As it turns out a valve was sticking?
I just thought that was how it drove...Now its driving the same as the fiat 500 1.2 courtesy car...
Was this the reason it was using oil "maybe " lol
You'd think it would just be cheaper to replace the whole car than mess around with?

 

[babbo_umbro]

Hi All
This one is very juicy....
I was happy driving my panda for nearly two years until the engine management light starts to come on ..
Thursday morning: limited flashing
Friday morning: limited flashing
Friday evening: Stayed on and was running on three cylinders
Ran garage Saturday
Monday drop it in a week later they had spent£1700
And changed the bottom engine cog (one by the belt)
Heaped out again and they had it for another week.
Collected car and dropped it to my better half as I needed her car..
It heaped out on a junction and nearly killed her...
Then they had the car for nearly three weeks around Christmas ..
just got it back and they have changed the engine £4250 + labour
As it turns out a valve was sticking?
I just thought that was how it drove...Now its driving the same as the fiat 500 1.2 courtesy car...
Was this the reason it was using oil "maybe " lol
You'd think it would just be cheaper to replace the whole car than mess around with?

This all a bit confusing.

What does "heaped out" mean?

Doesn't your garage give you a ring if the job looks as though it's going to be more than anticipated?

Sticking valve - exhaust? inlet? oil pressure relief? Any other valve?

 

[jrkitching]

just got it back and they have changed the engine £4250 + labour

I assume this was all done under warranty?

As it turns out a valve was sticking?...

...was this the reason it was using oil "maybe " lol

Very possibly.

It's unusual for an engine to fail in this way, but it does occasionally happen, and that's what the warranty is for.

The good news is they swapped out the engine instead of trying to cobble together a repair of the old one. It would likely never have been properly right had they done that.

One reason for the new engine could be to keep labour costs down; the list price of the engine is a large number, but this way it's an internal cost and more of the repair work is being done by the factory than by the dealership, which may be more cost effective for Fiat.

 

[Chriselectrics]

The car was done under warranty , Rushden customer service is second to none..
I'm still running the car in at the minute getting 57mpg..The 500 I was using was better mpg. And had a better radio.

 

[Chriselectrics]

What does "heaped out" mean?
Are you an America?

Doesn't your garage give you a ring if the job looks as though it's going to be more than anticipated? Eer well yes

Sticking valve - exhaust? inlet? oil pressure relief? Any other valve?
Why should I know??? I only drive the thing!

 

[JCarp16]

What does "heaped out" mean?
Are you an America?

Doesn't your garage give you a ring if the job looks as though it's going to be more than anticipated? Eer well yes

Sticking valve - exhaust? inlet? oil pressure relief? Any other valve?
Why should I know??? I only drive the thing!

Glad you got it sorted. [emoji106] Strange for such an early failure I guess it was a manufacturing fault.

As for 'heaped out' - I'll be honest I've lived in the UK all my 45 years and I've never come across that term! [emoji15]