Technical Fiat 500 oil use

[goffboy]

hi guys,

we have a 2008 1.4 Lounge (with dualshift box), with 36,000 on the clock. since buying it a year ago i've noticed it uses a lot of oil (1 litre per 1000 miles). this seems pretty excessive. any explanations/similar experiences?

cheers,
eamonn

 

[The Twins]

hi guys,

we have a 2008 1.4 Lounge (with dualshift box), with 36,000 on the clock. since buying it a year ago i've noticed it uses a lot of oil (1 litre per 1000 miles). this seems pretty excessive. any explanations/similar experiences?

Sounds too excessive to me. Sorry you are experiencing this issue : / maybe somone on here who is technically qualified can help?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Experience with the 1.4 16v engine, should be about 300-400ml per 1000 miles - this is using 10w40 Semi Synth Oil

This is with general driving mixed with the odd bit of spirited driving

 

[The Twins]

Experience with the 1.4 16v engine, should be about 300-400ml per 1000 miles - this is using 10w40 Semi Synth Oil

This is with general driving mixed with the odd bit of spirited driving

Actually, that's a very good point (oil grade/brand) and has got me thinking..
I had a BMW that used oil like crazy. The oil spec was fine LL04 but not the BMW recommended brand. I changed to the 'BMW recommended' brand (even though technically the same spec) and the oil consumption halfed right away.
Maybe you could try a different oil?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Actually, that's a very good point (oil grade/brand) and has got me thinking..
I had a BMW that used oil like crazy. The oil spec was fine LL04 but not the BMW recommended brand. I changed to the 'BMW recommended' brand (even though technically the same spec) and the oil consumption halfed right away.
Maybe you could try a different oil?

A good point. I didn't believe it myself until another member a few months ago on here said they used the same grade but swapped oil brands and the consumption changed massively.

I tend to use Comma Oils where I can.

 

[jrkitching]

i've noticed it uses a lot of oil (1 litre per 1000 miles). this seems pretty excessive.

I'd say that's excessive. Is it burning it, or leaking it?

 

[babbo_umbro]

Same engine in a Panda uses a litre every 4-5000 miles including long trip to hot Italy.

 

[jnoiles]

I've got a 1.4 Lounge with the manual box. That consumption is about right. I've tried all manner of makes and specs of oil. I'm currently running 10w40 semi synth despite what the manual says. It's worked fine so far (90k miles).

 

[ahmett]

I've got a 1.4 Lounge with the manual box. That consumption is about right. I've tried all manner of makes and specs of oil. I'm currently running 10w40 semi synth despite what the manual says. It's worked fine so far (90k miles).

Yes my indie said you could use 10w-40 if you want but i am on 5w-40. Every engine is unique with regards to oil consumption but that doesnt sound too bad. Keep on having a look and letting us know if it gets any worse or you find oil where you parked last night. At my last service i had noticed my consumption was higher (oil was black by then) and they found a leaking oil valve which they replaced.

 

[jrkitching]

I'm currently running 10w40 semi synth despite what the manual says. It's worked fine so far (90k miles).

A cheaper oil changed more frequently will give better protection than the best oil changed at 18k .

 

[ahmett]

A cheaper oil changed more frequently will give better protection than the best oil changed at 18k .

haha woops = )

 

[loveshandbags]

hi guys,

we have a 2008 1.4 Lounge (with dualshift box), with 36,000 on the clock. since buying it a year ago i've noticed it uses a lot of oil (1 litre per 1000 miles). this seems pretty excessive. any explanations/similar experiences?

cheers,
eamonn

Welcome to the FF Eamonn.

I would suggest putting in new oil and filter and as previously suggested checking for oil leaks.

The oil should be 5W40 ACEA C3 which isn't that easy to get but Halfords have this Castrol oil discounted at the moment. If you can get a staff discount or trade discount car it will reduce the price even further.
I would get an oil filter off Fiat directly which will cost around €8. Another option is to get the Selenia oil which you will have to pay extra for if you're getting a service done in your local Fiat garage.

Oil flush is not recommended to clean out your engine but I did use Mobile 1 0W40 for around 500-1000 miles as a cleansing oil and then put in the 5W40 ACEA C3. A better suggestion might be to use a right spec oil and preferable cheaper if you can get it - Comma sell a turbo diesel one that is the ACEA C3 - Using the wrong ACEA spec oil can damage your CAT. Comma can be got in the Motor Factors - note that this does not have the Fiat spec approval of Fiat 9.55535-S2 which is not important for a car out of warranty.

The idea of using 10W40 semi-synthetic seems a bit pointless on engine with only 36K. Thicker oil will impact bhp and mpg but I could see that it might be beneficial if the engine was worn. Also looking at the ACEA C3 oils that are available I haven't seen a 10W40 that meets the C3 spec.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I've got a 1.4 Lounge with the manual box. That consumption is about right. I've tried all manner of makes and specs of oil. I'm currently running 10w40 semi synth despite what the manual says. It's worked fine so far (90k miles).

How much oil did it use on our trip to Belgium and Germany again

 

[goffboy]

thanks guys for the tips. having done the maths again it's probably more like a litre every 1,500 miles. i guess i'm used the driving VW diesels that just sip oil.
as there are no leaks and there is no evidence to suggest it's burning oil, i will try a oil & filter change and get the proper spec oil. no doubt that will help.
much appreciate the advice!

 

[bgunn]

thanks guys for the tips. having done the maths again it's probably more like a litre every 1,500 miles. i guess i'm used the driving VW diesels that just sip oil.
as there are no leaks and there is no evidence to suggest it's burning oil, i will try a oil & filter change and get the proper spec oil. no doubt that will help.
much appreciate the advice!

Nothing to do with the marque - it's the specific engine and usually how it was initially bedded in when new. I've known plenty of VW diesels to consume as much, or more oil.

I suspect your car was babied around and idled all of the time when it was brand new.

 

[goffboy]

had 36K service done today. my mechanic was surprised by the consumption and by the fact that the oil was so black (having only changed filter/oil 8k ago he expected in to be in better condition). anyway he replaced oil with 5W40 ACEA C3 as recommended and told me to keep an eye on it. hopefully that will help or else the engine is burning oil, which i really don't want to think about!!!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

hopefully that will help or else the engine is burning oil, which i really don't want to think about!!!

No, its only burning oil if you see if coming out the rear end. Buring and consuming oil are two different things.

 

[ahmett]

No, its only burning oil if you see if coming out the rear end. Buring and consuming oil are two different things.

Since my last oil change 5000 miles ago my 1.4 has consumed around 800 ml's (0.8 L) of oil. Let us know how the consumption is after your oil change!

 

[bgunn]

No, its only burning oil if you see if coming out the rear end. Buring and consuming oil are two different things.

Difficult to see how by, other than a leak, an engine can 'consume' oil. It's being burnt, but it is more difficult to see if it's a small amount, especially so with any engine with a catalytic converter (i.e. anything these days).

 

[ahmett]

Since my last oil change 5000 miles ago my 1.4 has consumed around 800 ml's (0.8 L) of oil. Let us know how the consumption is after your oil change!

I noticed when the oil goes black it consumes much more (+ I had a small leak of oil from the oil seal/gasket which was fixed last service). From my experience, oil gets black after around 10k.