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Old 07-05-2018, 09:07 PM   #1
partyatdaniels
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Default Oil consumption issue need help ASAP!!!

A little bit of background first:

I bought my 2011 sti hatch back in November. And right away took it in for a Multi Point inspection at a Subaru dealer. They checked it and told me everything was fine and topped off everything that needed topping off.


Some time passed and I checked the oil. It was bone dry. Right away I got worried about how long I've been driving with low oil.

I took it into to get checked out and they started an Oil consumption test.
It was without a doubt going through a big amount of oil.

It was found that my valve cover gasket was leaking, and that my turbo had a small crack in it. Both were replaced.

Afterwards I had noticed again that it was going through oil very very quickly, I brought it in. And got charged a huge amount for a compression test, and a leak down test results:

Cylinder: 1 150 5%
2 145 6%
3 150 4%
4 150 5%

I was told everything was fine and they don't know where my oil is going.
After I got it back from the shop, again checked it and it was bone dry.
Normally I've always drove in sport mode, not sharp... But this whole time once this started I've been driving in Intelligent, and still oil is burning pretty quick.

I have no idea what to do and it seems like the service guys could care less.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:15 PM   #2
Jack
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Drain your oil. Put in 5 quarts. Run the engine for 1 minute. Wait 5 minutes. Check oil on the dip stick.

My money's on you've got a dipstick that's too short for some reason. If I'm right, order a stock dip stick.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:30 PM   #3
partyatdaniels
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack View Post
Drain your oil. Put in 5 quarts. Run the engine for 1 minute. Wait 5 minutes. Check oil on the dip stick.

My money's on you've got a dipstick that's too short for some reason. If I'm right, order a stock dip stick.
I should've clarified it wasn't bone dry right after I got it from the shop, it went very low after 1.5k miles
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:49 PM   #4
Fndragn
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You own a turbo Subaru and you didn't check your oil for 1,500 miles. SMH!!!
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:14 PM   #5
2slofouru
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-Are any of your spark plugs looking wet or different from the rest?
-Do you have any aftermarket parts or tune?
-What weight of oil are you using?

Do you "jake brake" a lot and use the gears to slow the car down?
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Old 07-06-2018, 10:38 AM   #6
lpxltt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2slofouru View Post
-Are any of your spark plugs looking wet or different from the rest?
-Do you have any aftermarket parts or tune?
-What weight of oil are you using?

Do you "jake brake" a lot and use the gears to slow the car down?
Also - what brand oil is being used. EJs drink Mobile 1 like it's water.

My 03 WRX loved Amsoil signature 5w-30 .5 quarts over a 3500 OCI. Mobile 1 was about 1 quart ever 700 miles on the same car.
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:18 AM   #7
chewymilk98
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Well is it being burned. Or is it leaking out? A quart is considered normal over 3000 miles. But loosing enough to read as empty (not read on the dipstick) is very excessive.
I'd start with the easy things. As has been suggested, do an oil change. Check to make sure the oil is the correct level, after the oil change (IE the recommended amount added) Drive for about 1000 miles. Then check. If it's low pop out the plugs and look at them.
That much oil consumption will be obvious on the plugs.
If it's not that, move on to the PVC system.
Oh, and put something under your car when it's parked (like a flattened cardboard box) There just might be a leaking seal or something.

PS. Oh and forgot. Is there oil in the coolant? That might be the irst thing to check.
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Old 07-06-2018, 01:23 PM   #8
crick0234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chewymilk98 View Post
If it's not that, move on to the PVC system.
^^^ check out the PVC. my 2012 was kinda gummed up a bit.

potential leaks can also come from the exhaust OCV's - driver's side is obvious to spot a leak, passenger side is hidden by the exhaust manifold
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Old 07-10-2018, 01:15 PM   #9
rgcast470
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I would recommend a oil/air seperator. I know that doesn't fix the problem why it is burning oil but it is good protection for your engine.
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Old 07-10-2018, 02:13 PM   #10
Dick_fitswell
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Try running a different oil. Maybe Rotella T6? Like previously mentioned.. I'd definitely not go more than 1k miles without checking your oil. I check mine every fill up. Yay turbo Subaru motor!
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Old 07-10-2018, 02:30 PM   #11
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fndragn View Post
You own a turbo Subaru and you didn’t check your oil for 1,500 miles. SMH!!!
I typically check mine maybe once per 5000 mile interval, usually 3-4k into the interval.
That's my plan until I see any consumption at all.
Currently at 63,000 miles and still zero.
I expect at 100,000 it will start consuming a little.
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Old 07-10-2018, 02:52 PM   #12
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
I typically check mine maybe once per 5000 mile interval, usually 3-4k into the interval.
That's my plan until I see any consumption at all.
Currently at 63,000 miles and still zero.
I expect at 100,000 it will start consuming a little.
Great....thanks.......

If you believe most owners manuals, there is a raft of things to check before EVERY drive.
Sorta overboard in my eyes.

Checking fluids every other gas fill is usually enough. Maybe you find that is excessive, so stretch it out usually.
If you find things low, adjust and check more frequently.
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Old 07-10-2018, 03:20 PM   #13
Bansheeboy11
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How many miles are on it? Its probably valve seals.
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Old 07-10-2018, 09:59 PM   #14
Abismo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fndragn View Post
You own a turbo Subaru and you didn’t check your oil for 1,500 miles. SMH!!!
My wrx doesnt burn any.... granted its still new enough it shouldnt.
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Old 07-15-2018, 07:03 PM   #15
partyatdaniels
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Thank you all so much for the replies!!!
I will start going through each piece of advice and will keep posted thank you for everything! !
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Old 07-16-2018, 03:41 PM   #16
Fndragn
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Don't do as some have stated and go 3-4,000 before you check. What happens if you start having issues right after your last oil change, you don't check it for 3-4,000 miles, now it's low and wearing things it shouldn't be because you saved 3 minutes a week. That's my opinion. I'm the opposite and check it almost daily. I have an 04 wrx, 05 xt, and 2011 sti. My wrx burns very little oil,my xt and sti burn none but I still check them. Some past subies Iv has burned a lot of oil. So I'm in the habit of checking oil every evening while I'm out in the shop. On another note my new Lexus burns zero oil, I don't check it, and doubt i will!!

Last edited by Fndragn; 07-16-2018 at 03:47 PM.
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:40 PM   #17
jasonwrx86
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I would check oil every other tank of gas so about every 500miles?
3000 is pretty long and on some cars, your engine is gonna be seized long before you hit 3000 without topping up.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:05 PM   #18
crick0234
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I've made a habit of checking at every fillup. that's about every 250 miles. while i'm there i check everything else too. it's a bit excessive but i've managed to catch a few things that if left alone, would be catastrophic.

the worst was noticing my fuel line looking like it was eaten thru. found dead rat between airpump/ac compressor.

helped me catch a few leaks too, liek steering pump leak, oil leaks from my ocv's, loose nuts sitting in my undertray cuz of shoddy service... you know... things :P
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