St1.8 1997. Using Oil - Help

[ktd]

Hi. Have a ST1.8 1997 (R reg) that is using a litre of oil per 200 miles. Slight smoke out of the back (sometimes). In one cylinder plug is always black! Engine has never been good on oil from new but this is getting expensive. Has anyone any suggestions as to cause/solution and if need be a good source for a replacement engine. Car has done approx 80,000 miles. Apart from this runs fantastic.

Thanks

Keith

[Leeky]

Ewwww nasty, i'm on my 4th toyota now and none of them have ever used any oil at all.

Doesnt sound good dude, i think maybe you have a worn cylinder or something.

Have you changed the plugs? Might be a good idea to try that.

[daktari]

Sounds like a piston ring problem or a valve guide seal.

Get a compression test done and find out which one it is.

If it`s a ring might be as well getting a recon engine cos the parts and labour will be about the same price. If it`s valve guide seals it`s a straightforward job. Might mean the head will have to come off tho.

Fingers crossed for you. :)

[Cubic Incubi]

get yer wallet out mate. sorry, but - what else is there to say.

[JohnnyC]

Engine has never been good on oil from new but this is getting expensive.

I know it's a bit late now, but it really should have been sorted out when it was under warranty!

[cookci]

so it uses more than 1litre per 1,000 miles?

most manufacturers state this as the average use for oil!

so anything upto that and it wont be covered by the warranty.

a litre per 200 miles sounds pretty stuffed though... try using thicker oil?

[JohnnyC]

so it uses more than 1litre per 1,000 miles?

most manufacturers state this as the average use for oil!

so anything upto that and it wont be covered by the warranty.

If that was the case for new cars, then we wouldn't even make 4000 miles until the engine is dead - quite bad when the service interval is 9000 miles.

[daktari]

If that was the case for new cars, then we wouldn't even make 4000 miles until the engine is dead - quite bad when the service interval is 9000 miles.

This would be true. But........ Your supposed to check your oil once a week at least.

Or if your neurotic like me every day. :D

[cookci]

so it uses more than 1litre per 1,000 miles?

most manufacturers state this as the average use for oil!

so anything upto that and it wont be covered by the warranty.

If that was the case for new cars, then we wouldn't even make 4000 miles until the engine is dead - quite bad when the service interval is 9000 miles.

check the handbook mate

most handbooks state a car will use a litre every 1000miles

[JohnnyC]

And what's the point of the oil change at 9000 miles if you've topped it up so much that it's effectively been changed twice.

Personally I have NEVER had a car that uses a litre of oil in 1000 miles, not even a litre in 9000.

[GT4 BOOSTER]

nor me

[daktari]

And what's the point of the oil change at 9000 miles if you've topped it up so much that it's effectively been changed twice.

Personally I have NEVER had a car that uses a litre of oil in 1000 miles, not even a litre in 9000.

This thread could run and run. Most handbooks state that a car can use UPTO a litre of oil every 1000 miles. And in fairness not many do.

My philosophy on my car is to change the oil every 3000miles using fully synthetic 0w40 Mobil 1. Which, becoause of its ultra thin viscosity gets consumed at the rate of about a half litre every 1000 miles. But peace of mind is satisfied.

Cant see the point in wrecking a couple of grands worth of engine for the sake of a 40quid oil change every three months or so.

However if your engine as you say is noticably using a litre of oil every 200 miles accompanied by the occasional puff of smoke. I would be inclined to have it investigated ASAP.

Plus there's always the hope that it may be something relatively minor.

Good luck. :)

[GT4 BOOSTER]

could it be a dud spark plug , lead or dizzy cap or rotor causing the black plug and inturn causing bad engine management thus the burning oil . or is it also possible you have an oil leak and not burning it at all , did you look ???? :thumbsup:also if it only puffs on a morning , this is a sign of valve stem oil seal damage , which isnt a fortune to have done.

[ktd]

No oil on floor. Emissions are fine so oil being burned, been to have compression test but they tell me even after that they can't guarantee what it is until they have a looksie, i.e. get out my cheque book. Seems to me that by the time that is finished might as well get a new engine, be about the same price - anyone suggest engine supplier?

Cheers guys

[daktari]

Best sounding round Jap breakers. You`ll get a short gaurantee but should be ok. Cheaper than getting one from someone that does recons and the like. :)

[GT4 BOOSTER]

ALMOST CERTAIN THE 1.8 ST IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE CARINA OR SIMILAR,THERE IS 2 BREAKERS NEAR WHERE I LIVE DUNNO IF THEY DELIVER ENGINES THOUGH THEY ARE BOTH JAP SPECIALISTS IN STOCKTON - ON -TEES.

JAP PARTS AND JAP CITY. BOTH FOUND IN THE NORTH EAST AUTO TRADER.

PERSONALLY I'D WHACK A 3SGE IN THERE , SOMEONE BOUGHT 1 IN HERE FOR £ 500.