Oil consumption

[KDZROK]

OKAY,

So I have had an oil consumption issue for a while, but it has been a small one. So small that I was told by my mechanic not to worry about it. (I would go through a quart of 10/40 every 2 months or so)

SOO, after my last oil change, (put in 20'/50) I have had to put in a new quart about every month and a half, this last time seems less. (oil light just came on yesterday)

SOO, what can I look for to trouble shoot this. I recently learned how to drive my car a bit more aggressively than before, so that might account for some of the consumption, but a quart in that short of a period??

thanks guys, I want to look somewhat informed when I take it to the mechanic. OR if it isn't too intricate a problem, I can take it to the little mechanic down the street who does just general stuff for me, and is MUCH less expensive than my BMW guy.

Thanks!

[UNHCLL]

oil consumption is normal.
nothing you can do about it.
old motor, bad seals

FYI BMW lists "acceptable oil consumption"
a time period doesnt mean shit though.

give us mileage. Are you driving 50 miles in a month and a half or 50,000? Its all relative.

[Drake]

give us mileage. Are you driving 50 miles in a month and a half or 50,000? Its all relative.

Agreed
Unless you're leaking oil (check where you park your car), the oil is likely being burned off, which happens when you're actually driving. So if you've increased the amount you drive in the last couple months, then it probably hasn't changed much.

Does it smoke blue when you start it up in the morning? If so it's probably valve seals

[bimmerlover]

I agree.. mileage would be useful. If you're driving a lot, a qt every month and a half isn't bad.

I would recommend going back to 10/40 or 10/30 for the cold weather at some point.

[parkerbink]

My engine (and car) have 63k are in excellent condition and I go through a quart on my 1400 mile Laredo trip. (approxinately)

I am used to Toyotas (2000 Tundra, 2002 4Runner,96 Tercel use no oil between oil changes), but have been told by the dealer that this usage on this engine is normal.

[KDZROK]

Thanks guys (and gal)!

I have had a smaaaall leak for a long time. Since before the car was mine. So small that my BMW guy told me not to worry about it. It wasn't worth the cost of the labor.

Now that you all have mentioned it, I relize am driving it more. And have been for the last 3 months, (about the time I noticed the change in consumption) as well as driving it more 'properly' (I was a big weeny before, didn't know what the engin liked and was capable of)

I will put another quart in tocay and watch the miilage. I can't be going TOO far. I live within 10 miles of where I work. Ther is a lot of back and forth though, BUT STILL!

It does not smoke on start up. The only time I have ever seen is smoke blue is when I was determined not to let this chick in a bug pass me as I was trying to merge. ha. I took it too far in second evidently and when I put it into 3rd (or around there) it smoked blue.

I will keep you posted when the check light comes on again!

Thanks a million!

[e304lyfe]

ummm u saw the smoke when you did that?

i never see smoke no matter how hard i drive. but i know it does, having seen other people drive my car hard (usually on a hard downshift).

to be able to see the smoke when you drive sounds like a hell of a lot of smoke.

[nickmp0wer]

all bmws do it when warming up, not blue but white