Yesterday I felt a dipstick, In every way. I thought I would top oil up as it was a bit low. When a say low I mean it was below minimum level. When I say below the minimum level, I mean dry. The oil was topped up by a skoda dealer in middle of June (2 litres)! I Topped it up with approx 1 litre of Semi syn 10>40. Now totally fine up to correct level. Anyone else had oil consumption like this? I know the car was parked on a slight incline at work but even so...! Other reason for asking is that I know the 1.4 16v engine can really eat the oil but 1 litre per month seems high even if you are doing short trips. BTW annual miles approx 4000.

Edited 9 July, 200817 yr by BlueSilver
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Stupid question but have you checked the coolant/ filler cap for signs of emulsification?, also check around sump plug and oil filter for signs of ill fitment if this massive oil usage as only occured since service. If all looks ok then keep a keen eye on it, could have been an error on the part of the service guys? (presuming that is what you mean by topped up by skoda)

Just sounds like you have lost a bit on the end of the dipstick

Will check for emulsified anything/oil leaks tomorrow. I just hope that vRSLen is right. BTW Skoda dealer was not servicing car, he was checking out the engine being lounder/diesel like on start up (car was there for rear door sealing). He put in 2 litres (see other post). I think my engine just loves to burn oil, but last time I looked the engine had no oil leaks, no emulsified anything, does not drop oil and I don't drive it like I stole it! Has dealer stamped FSH. I guess like any car short trips are not ideal...Have got some 10>40 semi syn in boot for top up as and when ...

If you had lost the end off the dipstick you would not be able to see the min and max marks to know were to top it upto, unless of course you have lost an inch from the top of the stick

1 litre per 600 miles is permissable.

has the oil cap been on properly? and was the right oil in there to start with?

has the oil cap been on properly? and was the right oil in there to start with?

Yeah all OK there (would have been evident I believe if anything was loose) and yes 2 litres were added middle of June 08 (see other posts!) No I still think I just have an oil burner!!! :( 1.4 16v engines (mine at least) clearly don't like short runs.

I used to have severe oil consumption problems with my 1.4 16v too but since I changed to a 5w40 Shell Helix Ultra, oil consumption is normal.

Look for oils with high flash point and low NOACK values.

I always forget if it was the 8v or 16v that had the piston rings issue.

I used to have severe oil consumption problems with my 1.4 16v too but since I changed to a 5w40 Shell Helix Ultra, oil consumption is normal.

Look for oils with high flash point and low NOACK values.

Thanks for that. Would love to know how shell make an oil that lasts longer even in an oil burner like the 1.4 16v.

Is your engine the BBY engine or the earlier A?? - it is the earlier engines that have been noted for their thirst, and yes no engine even small ones like continual short journeys where they are just about getting up to normal temperatures by the end of a journey. Small runabouts tend to have extremely low volumes of water in the block to promote quicker warm-up times - but there is a limit.

Thanks for that. Would love to know how shell make an oil that lasts longer even in an oil burner like the 1.4 16v.

I am not sure the reason why, but my fabia burns much less oil than it used to do with the Motul Semisynth 10w40 I used in the last oil change, I think the Shell Helix has a NOACK value lower than the motul.

And as somebody said, this engine burns oil in fast short runs before reaching its uptimum working temperature..

Cheers...

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