Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Another quick question.

Our Feroza, once it's getting up to about 4-4,500k's into it's service interval, is starting to burn a bit of oil. Over the course of 5,000k's, probably looking at 5-600ml. There's no smoke at idle, high revs or when taking off from extended idle, indicating that either it's being burnt cleanly or there is no Ring or Valve Stem involvement. No oil leaks either.

At the end of a Service Interval, the Oil is also black (and I mean really, really black). We run Penrite HPR 30 and Ryco Filters.

Is this a normal condition for this little engine. I have had my share of small 4's and I have never seen oil this black at the end of 5,000k's!

Thanks again

Sounds like it's been running 91 octane fuel. Is it pinging around the 3500rpm mark? If so, then the bottom end and or valves are prolly a little sad. Try running (minimum) 95 octane and/or wind back the timing a little to stop the pinging. That'll at least slow down any further engine damage.