Technical Oil Usage.

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Technical Oil Usage.

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I know this sounds like a strange question, but should an engine burn oil?

Since owning my Stilo, I have had it serviced once a year every year and I have never had to top up the oil between services, the level has always remained the same, I check it weekly, I've never lost a ml, does this demonstrate a very effecient engine or is it not normal?
 
Not burning oil is good, and is what should happen.
Fiat quote up to 1L per 1000 miles, which to me is ridiculously high - almost laughable if they wern't being serious.

My other car burns none as well. My Stilo uses a little, but it is a little and I'm not concerned by it's usage. 1L / 1000 miles would concern me greatly.
 
Our 1.6 is like yous Savi - doesn't use a drop.

My 1.8 does, about 2litres a year, and our Brava 1.8 did about 1litre a year. The service manager at my dealer has a 1.8 HGT Punto that also uses oil - he said it's just a 1.8 thing.
 
Not burning oil is good, and is what should happen.
Fiat quote up to 1L per 1000 miles, which to me is ridiculously high - almost laughable if they wern't being serious.

My other car burns none as well. My Stilo uses a little, but it is a little and I'm not concerned by it's usage. 1L / 1000 miles would concern me greatly.

1l every 1000 miles is what the 2.4 should use, its a heavy drinker(y)
 
Had an 02 plate 2.4 around 70K which was burning around 1L every 750 miles!! Luckily I don`t have to pay for my oil :) I was not happy about the situation so chopped it in for another 2.4 55 plate and at 13 K it does not burn a drop? Some VAG engines do burn oil, although even at 1L per 1000k I think it is a cop out from a warranty perspective. I have experienced this with GM also :bang:
 
My 2.4 uses 1l every 2.5k which I can liver with as I came by a 50l container of oil ridiculously cheap (nothing) when I wasw in the courier business and a pallet full of new (expensive branded) fell off the lorry a couple split as they hit the floor and I was absolutely drenched in the stuff, sacked the forklift driver on the spot but calmed down after I'd been home for shower and change of clothes (it was 3am when this happened after all)
 
A fried of mine has a theory on oil usage in his Accord diesel. He reckons that oil burns because it works all the way up the engine, properly lubricating it, and that's why he doesn't mind how much it burns. Can't remember his entire argument, but that's the jist of it.

To be honest, that is a load of ****.

Oil burns in cylinder because whatever seal isn't doing its job.
 
Strictly speaking that's not 100% correct.

The best oil control ring will not return all the oil from the cylinders back to the sump and a minute residue would still remain on the cylinder walls (and get burnt). The amount lost however, can be so small that many drivers (me for a start) proclaim their car doesn't use ANY oil but this is not true in the very strictest sense :)
 
Argo, you are correct of course. But I agree that no owner would notice this level of oil consumption, even over extended oil drains.
 
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