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02-03-2016, 10:40 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 287830
Join Date: Jul 2011
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EJ253 Oil Consumption Issue
Hey Everyone,
So I've been having an oil consumption issue and really haven't been able to get to the bottom of it but thinking it's starting to be clear at this point, I have a 2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i with 50k on the dial. Before my last oil change I checked about 1000 miles before 5k mile interval and there was barely any oil on my dipstick, added oil and drove home, then immediately changed the oil, using 5w-30 Valvoline Full Synthetic. During the oil change I was researching possible reasons number one seemed to be PCV valve being clogged or broken, I was able to track that part down on the car, cleaned and tested and seems to work fine was pretty dirty though. Since this oil change I've put 1,000 miles on my car, some of which have been rather spirited just to see if I could narrow done why and how I'm consuming it. Oil levels at this point are still the same. I was planing on changing my plugs and began the tear down of my airbox, decided to take my intake apart all the way up to the throttle body, removed my breather houses and PCV house had oil in the 2 left/right breather houses and a good amount of oil inside the intake canister right before the throttle body. Cleaned all of that out and re assembled, checking for clogs in the tubes, none seemed to exsist. Today, I changed my spark plugs and the top drivers side had a good amount of oil in the well it seemed, and defiently had it on the spark plug tube, none on the plug what so ever, plugs actually seemed to be in excellent shape for the most part (I bought the car with 30k ish miles and wasn't sure if they've ever been done.) so I ended up just soaking up as much oil as I could and cleaned the tube and re installed new plugs, car is actually running really well, no misfires, no CEL, and no sign of oil consumption 1000/5000 miles in to my next oil change interval. However, the fact my spark plug tube had oil on it scares me, sounds like it's a valve cover gasket and spark plug seals, but I want opinions or if anyone here ha experienced the same thing I'd appreciate your input. I kind of wonder if the PCV valve being clogged caused the oil to travel there because now I'm not having the consumption issue. Thanks for any help!!
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02-04-2016, 08:54 AM | #2 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 384493
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:2010 Impreza 2.5i DGM |
Quote:
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02-04-2016, 11:49 AM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 395574
Join Date: Jul 2014
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Almost Cape Cod, MA
Vehicle:2007 OBS |
First, you should get the valve covers fixed to rule that out as much as possible.
Second, I have had a similar issue with my EJ253 (07 Outback Sport). Synthetic can make it worse (especially Mobile 1). Idling and stop and go traffic makes it worse. Generally I will not see any consumption until about 1200-1500 miles into the oil change, regardless of driving conditions though. This has happened since I bought the car with 25k on it (now at 163k). A common theory is that if the engine was babied the start of its life, then there will be an oil consumption issue. As long as you are not seeing smoke from the tail pipe or losing more than 1 quart per 1000 miles, you should be fine. Also, check your oil way more frequently than once every 4k miles. Every other fill up would make more sense. |
02-04-2016, 01:18 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 244231
Join Date: Apr 2010
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Providence, RI, USA
Vehicle:2018 Crosstrek CVT DGM |
You need to replace the spark plug tube seals along with the valve cover gaskets and as stated above, you should check the oil level frequently. Running very low on oil will be detrimental to the engine.
I use conventional oil myself as I prefer to change the oil for frequently as it gives me a a chance to give a good inspection to the underside of the car while it is up on the ramps. I also like to monitor the seepage of the head gaskets on a regular basis. Although I use conventional oil, I still find it hard to believe that using a good full synthetic motor oil can be a bad thing. |
02-05-2016, 03:44 PM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 287830
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Thanks for the insight guys! Do any of you happen to have the part numbers or know the best place to get the parts for the gaskets and seals?
I'm thinking of switching to Rotella T6 next time I change the oil. I do my best to check every other tank of gas, but lately it's been much colder and haven't been remembering to check the oil as frequently. But now that this happened I've been checking it every 200 miles pretty much. |
02-06-2016, 10:45 AM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 399625
Join Date: Aug 2014
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Dallas/FtWorth
Vehicle:2009 Impreza 2.5i Spark Silver |
NO t6 in your N/A extra zinc will kill your cat
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02-07-2016, 08:03 AM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 435982
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: New York
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Hatch Obsidian Black |
Yea, using T6 will destroy your cat, guys.
I stay away from it, due to the HIGH content of zinc in it, which is no good for the CAT. |
02-07-2016, 01:18 PM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 201277
Join Date: Jan 2009
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Northern VA
Vehicle:2008 08 QSM 5MT LGT QSM |
Not sure about the T6 killing your catalytic converter but it is great oil and not needed for N/A H4. Save money buy regular oil this isn't a performance engine .
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02-08-2016, 04:14 AM | #9 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 216984
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Coeur D Alene, ID
Vehicle:1996 Impreza outback Green |
Quote:
There are two things going on with the OP's engine, first off if the engine had an easy break-in then the rings didn't seal well right off the bat and as mileage increases more and more oil can get by the oil control rings. The other issue is that the OP is using a gf-5 rated energy conserving garbage oil that is purposely designed to shear some during operation to aid in fuel economy. I have many sources and facts to back this up. I don't know how many times I have to correct people about an oil with a bit more zinc and cats... you people need to learn how to look at this stuff Just like when someone switches to the T-6 5w40 in a turbo engine with stock cats and the oil consumption stops and yet people still think the zinc content is going to kill the cats... I mean really WAKE UP. |
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02-08-2016, 04:28 AM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 216984
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Coeur D Alene, ID
Vehicle:1996 Impreza outback Green |
Quote:
valve cover gasket should be = 13294AA070 Spark tube hole gasket should be =10966AA000 There are some bolts that hold the valve cover on, on each bolt there is a rubber washer, In the opposedforces diagram where I got the above part #'s it doesn't shoe the rubber washer. Should be easy to get though at the dealership. For the oil, I am going to suggest to switch to the Rotella T-5 10w30 which is found in a grey jug. Buy 2 extra quarts and you are set. This oil is a NONE gf-5 rated energy conserving oil which is what your engine needs. |
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02-09-2016, 04:58 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto Canada
Vehicle:2006 Forester XT Crystal Grey Metallic |
A liter in 4000 miles isn't really anything to worry about. My old 06 impreza was using 1 quart every 1000kms which is 622 miles that was bad, and i ditched the car as a result at 297,000kms (184500) miles
I would either just keep an eye and top it off every 1000 or 2000 miles or you can start messing around with oil brands and weights and see if you can get rid of it. with just regular 5w-30's you will notice some do better than others my preference is Valvoline 5w-30 at the moment. If that doesn't get results then I would suggest maybe trying one of the High Mileage 5w-30 formula's like - Castrol High Mileage, - Pennzoil High mileage - Valvoline Maxlife - Quakerstate Defy If its still using oil after that you could try a 10w-40 like Castrol GTX (which maybe the only 10w-40 left on the market. |
02-10-2016, 06:58 AM | #12 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 216984
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Coeur D Alene, ID
Vehicle:1996 Impreza outback Green |
Quote:
If a person has to step up to a Xw40 oil in an NA engine to try and stop oil consumption it is time to look for a replacement or get the current one rebuilt, end of story. I have a feeling though that there is an engine replacement coming, though I hope the change to a NONE energy conserving crappy oil helps this oil burning issue. |
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02-10-2016, 12:05 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 287830
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Yeah I'm hoping to get the tube seals and gaskets changed this weekend, going to take your recommendation and switch to rotella t5.
The original consumption problem (or so I thought) was that the PCV valve was clogged and I was getting oil in my intake and breather tubes and right into my throttle body. Now I'm fairly certain from my hours of reading that this motor was probably babied in its break in period and these seals just need to be replaced. |
02-11-2016, 12:44 AM | #14 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 216984
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Coeur D Alene, ID
Vehicle:1996 Impreza outback Green |
Quote:
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02-28-2016, 12:28 AM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 287830
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Anyone have a manual for the 09 that can tell me how to get the drivers side VC off? Passengers side was a walk in the park. The drivers side has me defeated currently, I have all 6 bolts out, removed the fuel rail, even removed the injectors to give me even more clearance, but I cannot for the life of me maneuver the thing off of the head. Just so many wires/pipes/etc and i cannot seem to get it off.
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03-05-2016, 03:05 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 402486
Join Date: Sep 2014
Chapter/Region:
W. Canada
Location: Lloydminster, sk Canada
Vehicle:2007 Impreza 2.5i Red |
I would highly recommend checking blowby, these 2.5 SOHC are known to have quite a bit. I recently put in a rebuilt short block in my 07 with 220 kms and the subaru tech said I got unreal longevity out of that engine. A little bit of oil on the spark plug boot isn't a huge deal as long as it isn't leaking all over the ground, if you clean and replace the pcv valve and lines and you're still adding oil you need a rebuilt shortblock.
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03-15-2016, 02:06 AM | #17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 287830
Join Date: Jul 2011
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So got Valve cover gaskets and spark seals all changed, have driven about 2k miles since with no insane consumption issue like I was having.... So rotella t5 for n/a is better than t6? Just making sure going to be changing oil this weekend! TIA!
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03-15-2016, 12:18 PM | #18 |
Scooby Guru
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: philadelphia
Vehicle:2016 STI |
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03-20-2016, 12:20 PM | #19 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 429131
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Boone, NC
Vehicle:2007 Impreza 2.5i Steel Gray Metallic |
Blowby
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to engines, but I've been researching a lot since my car experiences some oil consumption. What exactly is a blow-by test? Is this similar to a compression test or leakdown test?
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