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Ford focus burning oil

  • 29-02-2012 7:25am
    #1
    irelandspurs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,082 ✭✭✭


    For awhile now our 03 focus has been burning oil,its not leaking as we have checked but we are always needing to add oil every month as its not even showing up on the dipstick.I'm guessing the valve stem seals are damaged and a few mechanics have said it would be easier to replace the engine,is this the case.


Comments

  • #2
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    irelandspurs wrote: »
    For awhile now our 03 focus has been burning oil,its not leaking as we have checked but we are always needing to add oil every month as its not even showing up on the dipstick.I'm guessing the valve stem seals are damaged and a few mechanics have said it would be easier to replace the engine,is this the case.


    A few mechanics could make more money from a quick engine change then actually bothering to repair the problem more likely.:rolleyes:

    Changing the stem seals is not a problem, its a medium..ish sized job but should still work out a lot cheaper then replacing a whole perfectly good engine.

    If it is the stem seals that are gone then a couple of simple tests for a mechanic will tell.


  • #3
    Moby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭Moby


    If the valve stem seals are worn , when you start the engine a puff of smoke will appear from the exhaust pipe then it should clear when engine warms up, It could be piston rings at fault then it will be burning oil all the time the engine is running, either problem will cost a good few euro to do it right.


  • #4
    irelandspurs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,082 ✭✭✭irelandspurs


    yeah thats what i'm thinking,will need to fix it as we can afford to upgrade,can mechanic diagnose it with compression test or how would they do it,just so i know i'm not being strung along.


  • #5
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    irelandspurs wrote: »
    yeah thats what i'm thinking,will need to fix it as we can afford to upgrade,can mechanic diagnose it with compression test or how would they do it,just so i know i'm not being strung along.

    A leakdown test would be needed for more accurate testing. If the leakdown test is ok then the valve stem seals are more likely, assuming your absolutely sure there are no external leaks.


  • #6
    Ronnie Beck
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭Ronnie Beck


    Have the same problem with my car. If you calculate how many miles for every litre you put in it should give you an idea of how bad the problem is. Mine is about 1 l / 4000miles. It wouldn't bother me unless it effecting your NCT emissions.


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  • #7
    irelandspurs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,082 ✭✭✭irelandspurs


    Ronnie Beck wrote: »
    Have the same problem with my car. If you calculate how many miles for every litre you put in it should give you an idea of how bad the problem is. Mine is about 1 l / 4000miles. It wouldn't bother me unless it effecting your NCT emissions.

    It doesn't bother me as its the wife's car just i drove it the other day and the oil light was faintly flicking on the verge of coming on checked oil and was not showing on dipstick,took 2 litres to get right and was only serviced in jan.


  • #8
    Ronnie Beck
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭Ronnie Beck


    irelandspurs wrote: »
    It doesn't bother me as its the wife's car just i drove it the other day and the oil light was faintly flicking on the verge of coming on checked oil and was not showing on dipstick,took 2 litres to get right and was only serviced in jan.

    Now that I would worry about...


  • #9
    Plug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,248 ✭✭✭Plug


    irelandspurs wrote: »
    It doesn't bother me as its the wife's car just i drove it the other day and the oil light was faintly flicking on the verge of coming on checked oil and was not showing on dipstick,took 2 litres to get right and was only serviced in jan.
    Unless it has a bad oil leak it must be burning oil at a high rate so. Its probably more than the head that needs rebuilding(valve stem seals). The design of these engines mean that if you want to remove the pistons to replace the piston rings the whole engine will have to come out, separated from the gearbox and then dismantled. A second hand engine will cheaper if thats the case.


  • #10
    Avns1s
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,423 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    Those engines are a bit fussy about their oil. They need 5W-30 oil but some places just throw in 10W-40 and this seemingly causes them to burn oil over time. The problem can be reversed to some extent by using the proper oil, according to some forums.


  • #11
    irelandspurs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,082 ✭✭✭irelandspurs


    Avns1s wrote: »
    Those engines are a bit fussy about their oil. They need 5W-30 oil but some places just throw in 10W-40 and this seemingly causes them to burn oil over time. The problem can be reversed to some extent by using the proper oil, according to some forums.

    Yeah we use 5w-30.Getting a second hand engine wouldn't the same have to be checked with the engine as we could be putting a worse one in or have the same problem?
    We have a second car to use so i might leave it with a mechanic and fix the engine we have.


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