2 Problems

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:23 pm

The first issue is that the missus having been told on numerous occasions to check the oil on the GTi didnt bother.

Whenever braking hard or cornering hard the oil pressure gauge came on. She thought it was low coolant so topped it up TO THE BRIM! Tart.

I dont drive this car much so I went out and witnessed the oil pressure fluctuating round corners or braking. I checked the oil level... FCUK ALL on the dipstick.

The thing took 2.5 litres!

Engine sounds no different to before.

So the 2nd issue then is why the hell have we lost 2.5 litres in 3k? Doesnt appear to leak any oil

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:44 pm

Well, if it was burning oil at that rate you'd know about it. I know it sounds stupid but is the dipstick going full in? I had a GTi where the orange plastic top had broken at some point in its life and the previous owner had reassembled it so the stick was dipping about 3/4 inch less than it should've been.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:12 pm

That seems a bit strange Ian, my Gti does use a bit of oil when being driven hard, so it might use that amount in 3k. The other thing is that you have assumed it has used that much, but it may have been low anyway???

Safest course of action might be to drain all of the oil to see how much is in the car & then just pour it back in (assuming its ok), to make sure that its not overfull & then take another dipstick reading. Is it possible to have an incorrect dipstick reading (perhaps a blockage?).

So what i'm basically saying is i dont have a clue...

What do you think?

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:43 am

All the GTIs I have had have used oil. Maybe not the .83L per 1k miles you seem to be getting , but maybe half that and more if lots of high revs are used.

But first - do you have a leak somewhere ??

If not then at 120k and 10-12 years the valve stem seals will be worn. You should see evidence of this though. Does the engine when hot and ticking over show any signs of blue smoke or smell a bit of burning oil ?

The bores will not be worn but the piston rings could be the cause of the oil usage.

I had a TZi once. I drove it down to the med. Took 3 days on french D roads at 60mph max. It needed nearly 2 litres of oil after this effort.

After I put new valve seals and piston rings on it it did not need topping up at all between changes.
So Ian there is a cure.

Question - does the oil level gauge not work on your/her GTI.

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:47 am

Its had a top end rebuild about 30k ago so i dont think its top end related. I had the same problem on my last GTi and the smell from the exhaust was different.

I've told her to check the oil everyday for a week and then i'll change the oil and see what happens.

I think the gauge is working perfectly which is nice to know! It really shows how a lack of oil effects the oil pressure. Fine going in a straight line but drops right off under heavy braking or cornering.

I think its a combination of too many cold starts and the thing only pottering to work and back.

Now then, wheres Mr Chidlow as i may need to buy his GTi.....

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:32 am

Ian_Fearn wrote:I think its a combination of too many cold starts and the thing only pottering to work and back.

I think you may have the cause there. Lots of cold starts and not/barely getting up to temperature will not do an engine any good at all, and will munch oil.

Only other thing that occurs to me... is it the correct grade oil? I only ask as recently, a friend had been running his Land rover on not-quite the correct grade of oil. We didn't think it would matter very much (the fact that it actually had oil at all was a minor miracle)

But, it leaked, sloped around in the sump, causing no oil pressure, leaked past the rings, leaked past the valve stems, and generally used oil like it was going out of fashion.

Changed from 15W-40 to 20W-50 (not a massive change in viscosity) and the difference was amazing. Oil consumption has almost stopped.

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:31 pm

Its running on 15w40.

Its done a run today and used no oil.

I really hope its ok as i really dont want to scrap this car. Its been brilliant.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:54 pm

I'm confused, Ian. Why consider scrapping her? If the engine's running well (it was a perky engine if I remember) and it hasn't used oil (today) isn't it possible that this loss of oil is down to a combination of usage rather than any significant fault, and even - dare I suggest? - your possibly mistaken belief that the car has actually used that amount in the first place? How sure are you that it was full up 3k miles ago? Obviously I assume you know how much you put in it, but you know, it IS possible that you miscalculated?

Don't take this wrong, you know what you're doing with BX's but I have to ask.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:26 pm

Ian, have u drained the oil yet? whats the current situation?

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:35 pm

Its using a rather significant amount of oil and a blue vapour trail follows it everywhere

I dont know what to do for the best. I've spent so much time getting this car right that i cant bring myself to scrap it.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:52 pm

Bu••er

I guess the only thing to do is a) Rebuild the engine, or b) offer it to someone who might enjoy the challenge of doing that instead of you, or indeed replacing the GTi Auto set up with another combination... TD auto anyone?

I't such a shame. What do you imagine the particular damage to be? Pistons/valves etc. or worse like a cracked block?

You have my sympathy Ian (as well as my old car, you vandal

)

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:55 pm

I cant confirm what is worn on it but i suspect top end problems due to the rattling that has appeared.

Its still going and doesnt appear to have any power loss so i'm guessing the rings are probably OK.

My dilemma though is that if i commit to a top end rebuild and then the rest of the engine is knackered then i've wasted my time and money.

artic-steel · Post by **artic-steel** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:33 pm

Sell it back to Billy, being a Vauxhall fan he'll be used to top end rattle

Stinkwheel · Post by **Stinkwheel** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:46 pm

Personal opinion, i had an AX GT go this way in the hands of my other half. (i.e. when i drove it found the oil light coming on round corners)

Similar outcome engine sounds not too different but definitly not quite right and was then using a lot.

I took the opportunity to have the head skimmed, new valve stem seals, new head gasket. Stuck some new rings in as well.

Problem solved

Was not a big job and we know its no bigger a job on a BX. Just do it as they say on a well known sports wear brand adverts.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:32 pm

I know this guy "simon" he's a mechanic by trade and in cases like this or HG failure he just takes the head off and sends it to a local firm who skim and test it, reseat the valves, new stem seals etc and then he just puts them back on.

He says it's not worth his time doing it himself, he gets the complete head back ready to fit. Can't remember how much he said they charge but it didn't seem like much.

Can find out if you're interested.