2.2 petrol - oil usage

[malhudson]

I've read through and seen a few posts with worse oil usage than I'm getting ... but I've had to replace around 8 litres in the 20k between services .. had a few VX before this one 1.4i, 1.6 and 1.8 Astras and they've all used barely any oil. The other half has the 1.8 Astra now and it's still using hardly any even at 115k ... btw Veccy is coming up for 3 years old and has only just gone over 30k.

It's just been in for a service and I mentioned it ... they said it's checked ok but, after I said I thought a litre of oil every 2500-3k was a bit much, to bring it back in after 500 miles or so and they'd check it again. Is this normal for the 2.2?

[Doug-SRidirect]

My 2.2 Direct (petrol) uses no oil between services (so far, that is!). I drive between 20k and 25k a year.
Doug

[Gsi3.2]

Changed the oil in Mrs GSi's 2.2 and after 900 miles the level hasn't budged.. that's two weeks mixed motoring including a 5 hour motorway blast..

No help to you, I know, but I don't think it's sypmtomatic of all 2.2's to drink oil.. Ask Bainie about his 2.2..we'll try to get a concensus..

[AJA]

A litre of oil to 2.5k miles is a lot in my opinion. Take it back after the 500 miles and let them see for themselves.

Have you noticed any smoke from the exhaust?

[Duncan]

As Alex, a litre per 2.5-3k miles is a helluva lot - especially given the low mileage of your car.

Hopefully the 500 mile check will show them that something is amiss!

D

[ed taylor]

Does it smoke when you first start it up. Get some one to watch the exhaust when you start it after the car has been standing for a while, If it throws out blue smoke then it may be an indication that oil is running in to the cylinders from the valve stems, might be worn valae stems/guides or the valve stem seals. hope this is of some sense to you, it might be burning the oil when the engine is running, indicating worn pistons/cylinders?, If the car has not done many miles,it should not be useing that much oil.

[TechWolf]

My Astra Coupe 2.2 didnt use much oil ...

[malhudson]

thanks for all the replies ... you just confirmed what I thought already about the oil usage ... I'm taking it in first thing tomorrow.

I've actually done about 1k since the service, a trip to Brum and a few long trips this week .. I checked with the dipstick this morning and it looked ok still showing up around the "max" mark .. have to wait and see of course but maybe they spotted something, fixed it and didn't want to admit the fault?

can smell a little in the morning when I've reversed it out of the garage and get out to close the door but haven't spotted any smoke starting from cold or warm ... or even when I dropped down a gear to errm increase the gap from the guy tailgating me in a micra the other day

I'll let you guys know what happens

[SCOTTEX]

I wonder if poor quality oil breaks down and uses up more quickly than top quality oil.
I changed the oil to Halfords own 5w-30 synthetic oil at the end of December and it is turning dark brown after only 700 miles and my mpg is slightly down. It hasn't used any according to dipstick levels. I'm not happy with this, so I'm going change it.
Got a recommendation off Opie Oils to have a look at the Motul 8100 range.
I think I'll get some and trial this and let you know how I get on with it.

[malhudson]

just back from the garage ... was in for noise coming from the front end which ended up being a wheel bearing, mechanic said they'd had quite a few .. not very good on a car with only 31k on the clock!

while I was out with him to point out the noise I said about checking the oil level, he said VX quote 1litre/1000miles is acceptable but in reality it shouldn't be using up the amount mine is .. he checked and it's still upto the limit after about 1000 miles since the service ... said sometimes an oil change, like it gets on a service, can sort it out ... sounds like waffle to me but I'm willing to give them a chance .. going to keep an eye on the level as the miles tick past.