12HT oil consumption

[lc61vx]

Can anyone give me a rough indication on how much oil is consumed by your 12HT engine between the usual 5000km oil change? Just recently noticed that I had to top up the oil (about 850mls) after about 3000km to get the oil dipstick back up to the just above F mark. Also noticed that the engine is giving in out the slightest of blue/grey smoke at idle which tends to disappear on higher revs... its very very slight and requires the right sunlight conditions to see it... i think its been doing this for about 4 years now since i had the car... but never noticed the oil consumption before until last weekend... is this slight smoke normal? the car has about 205000 kms on it.

[GeneralFubashi]

ive been burning through a full litre per 5000. Though i think mine may have a cracked ring somewhere because every thou k or so the ring must rotate around to a worn spot, it puffs a bit of blue at idle, seems to miss a bit at idle, and blowby goes through the roof, pushing oil out front and rear main seals. I always say im going to lay it up for a full rebuild, but then all symptoms disappear again. Anyway, i think that might contribute to my consumption, though i havnt heard too many people say they are the most frugal on oil, even when working properly.

Sam

[oldmate]

It shouldn't use any noticeable amount over the 5k oil change. Also 205k isn't alot. Is it an import?

[lc61vx]

yeah, its an import... it has only started using oil as of last weekend (that i've noticed)

[stumpyGU]

Mine blows a little white/blue smoke until it warms up, then its pretty clean. I have a slight leak around my turbo, and still dont consume enough to top it up between changes. I have heard that if you're running high boost (15psi+) that blow-by increase and therefore so does oil consumption.

Also be wary of the km's on imports. Some have been known to be significantly wound back.

[flyology]

I got nearly 500K out of my HJ61 before it needed a rebuild, and even then it was still very good inside. I was using oil, but only about 500mls per oil change (5K) or more if I was on a long trip towing a load. On pulling it down I found that the standard pistons had the top ring grooves hammered/opened up which was letting the top ring move around. It still drove well, had good power, but I did a full rebuild anyway with new o/s pistons rings bearings etc head injector pump turbo etc.

New pistons have steel inserts in the top ring groove, obviously this must have been a fault that is quite common.



If you are going to rebuild it buy quality brand name parts, use only a factory head gasket, and pull it down first an measure everything before buying anything in case things need machining to the next oversize.

If you can put an engine together you can save a lot of money rather than paying for a drive in drive out, all the parts are readily available, just measure check and recheck before putting back together. I had to get my piston tops skimmed after having the block decked......

[oldmate]

Also be wary of the km's on imports. Some have been known to be significantly wound back.

That, or sometimes the servicing is not done because the japs get rid of their cars at 90 or so K km's

If there isn't alot of blowby I would be looking at the turbo seals.