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Thread: Oil from Max to Min in 400 miles - any ideas ?

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    Regular Member simac's Avatar
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    Default Oil from Max to Min in 400 miles - any ideas ?

    Over the weekend I did almost 400 mway miles and the oil level was on max before I left. When I got home last night I checked the oil with the car parked in the same place and it's a fraction under minimum

    The same thing happened last month when I went to Scotland, I thought I must have made a mistake when reading the oil (parked on a hill etc etc) so this time I made sure I had the car parked in the same place both times.

    It's a 2003 1.8 with 70k miles on it, i've had it since 13k miles and have only had to give it very small top ups between services until now.

    It doesn't smoke on start up, doesn't smoke while driving and doesn't make nasty knocking noises - can't find any leaks either

    All I can think off is perhaps it's blowing past the piston rings due to wear/mileage.

    Any more ideas would be welcome ! if I was more "flush" right now I would think about changing it because i'm worried that my ickle Ecotec is heading for that little place in the sky for VX engines

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    Regular Member Gsi3.2's Avatar
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    1.8's do use oil when pushed hard.. yes you are right, it will be a bit of blowby that has used it...

    DO NOT flush it.. worst thing you can do... you'll just have to keep an eye on the levels a bit more.. has this 'just ' occured or has it been slowly using a bit more, then a bit more between services.. also, how often do you service it and what oil do you use?

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    Regular Member simac's Avatar
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    Thanks for your reply Mark

    It's had annual services at the dealer and they have been using Shell Helix Plus 10-40 which I have been topping it up with. I have used Magnatec when I couldn't get the shell stuff.

    I've just checked the coolant and that is nice and clear, was changed at last service (phew!)

    It's started to use more over a period of time but the last couple of longish runs i've done (with it fully loaded up) it's been an oil-a-holic ! This will be the 2nd litre going in over only 1500 miles.

    If it's just wear and tear i'll just check it more regularly as you suggest, I just hope that it's not thinking of failing big time

    PS: It has been flushed at all services, i've had it since it was a year old. I think the dealer use Fort ?? something ?
    Last edited by simac; 9th June 2008 at 17:39. Reason: addition!

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    Regular Member Gsi3.2's Avatar
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    it would have been forte flush..

    if it's been flushed all it's life then it's better than having it's first flush at 70K...

    when you say annual services?.. what sort of mileages is that at?.. as the 10W40 is all 'dead and gone' by 10,000 miles max...

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    Regular Member simac's Avatar
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    Normally around 18k a year

    If I was to give it an oil change, is it ok to switch to a different grade after so long and which should I use instead ?

    Have looked in the book today and it says 10-40 can be used if the higher quality can't be obtained but service intervals should be reduced.

    Cheers Mark, your help is appreciated as always !

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    Vehicle : Vauxhall Astra-J

    Trim : Elite

    Engine : 2.0 CDTi

    Year : 2013

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    Vauxhall's website recommends 5w/30 for all Vectra's registered from 2002 onwards.

    http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/owners/...oils.do#Vectra

    .

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    Regular Member Gsi3.2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by simac View Post
    Normally around 18k a year

    If I was to give it an oil change, is it ok to switch to a different grade after so long and which should I use instead ?

    Have looked in the book today and it says 10-40 can be used if the higher quality can't be obtained but service intervals should be reduced.

    Cheers Mark, your help is appreciated as always !
    you mustn't go any further than 10-12,000 on 10W40 oil.. irrespective of what the book says..

    swap right now to either a shorter service interval, or use VX's own 5W30 fully synthetic oil and your annual servicing..

    if i had to have a guess... i'd say the oil is 'gone' and is being used...

    if you changed the oil more often or swapped grade then it SHOULD go back to normal again..

    just because the service book says 20,000 intervals doesn't mean it's a good idea, and the service advisor at your garage should have told you before that it needs servicing more often on the 10W40

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    Regular Member Karl's Avatar
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    I know my old 1.8 started to have an Oliver Reed style habit once it hit about 85K (we are talking 1ltr every 800 miles MAX). Thankfully I gave it back to the leasing company before I had to change my name to OPEC

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    Regular Member simac's Avatar
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    Blimey, sounds like i'd better give it an oil change pronto

    I'll try to do it this week, MOT is due this week too and to add insult to injury it looks like the rear shocks have failed again at the weekend black splashes all over the back wheels which happened last time they failed.

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    Vectra-C Obsessed Poster Drinky's Avatar
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    Blimey Si it's gonna be an expensive week for you buddy if you fancy poping round one evening i can do the shocks and oil for you no probs !!!!!

    Back in a V6 !!!!!!!!!!!! And lovin it !!!

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