I have been keeping an eye on oil consumption in my Fabia Saloon 16v 100HP because it has started to get a bit heavy.

I've done 5,105 miles since the last service in February 2010, and I've topped it up with 4.25 litres (£55 worth). That's 1 litre per 1201 miles.

I can't see any external leaks on the crankcase and the exhaust isn't smoking and there have been no engine management unit warning lights so unless some of the local neerdowells have been syphoning the oil off overnight, I've got to assume that its disappearing down the exhaust pipe via worn piston bores/rings or worn valves.

Whilst that level of consumption is within the 1 Litre per 600 mile upper limit specified in the owners handbook, is it worthy of serious investigation by the dealer.

I think it is, just on environmental grounds, let alone what its doing to the Catalytic Converter.

My previous car was a 1981 VW Golf and that never used any oil between services. And the predecssor Alfa Sud was the same.

I've been using 10w-40 Magnatec semi-synth to do the top-ups.

Any views welcome.

Nick

Valve stem oil seals.