Oil consumption

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
21

Hi Peter. I stand corrected regarding Castrol RS. I have been told the information I passed on by more than one dealer who used to stock RS and who can no longer get hold of it. Unless Demon Tweaks are just sitting on old stock, I’ve obviously been told a load of twaddle! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image] RS is an excellent oil, and was in fact the only oil that you could put in a Jag XJ220 (it actually stated that you would void the engine warranty if you used anything else!). Thanks for putting me straight. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

22

I think I use closer to 1 litre on track days (difference between high and low marks on dipstick if the manual is correct).Interestingly, JCT600 use Shell Helix for all their Lotus servicing as they are also a Ferrari dealer and this is the specified oil for them.Tony - regarding oil discoloration - i don’t think the Shell went black but the Mobil appears to in mine.

23

quote:i don’t think the Shell went black but the Mobil appears to in mine.Strange. Was it definitely Mobil 1 Motorsport or normal Mobil 1? I’ve seen normal Mobil 1 go dark before, but not very often. Having said that, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Castrol RS go mucky, so if Peter’s right about its availability, you could always try that…

24

Funnily enough, the Castrol RS in my 340R remains a reassuring golden brown colour, but in the M5 it’s gone black.Not sure if thats important though.RegardsPeter Crook

25

Greetings everybody. 1 Liter every thousand miles of rather obviously darkening Castrol RS. That’s my experience. Seenms to be quite “normal”. As if there was anything, that’s normal with a Lotus. :stuck_out_tongue:

26

I have done 4000 mile in mine and have not put one drop of oil in it since its 1200 mile service. My car gets used (and abused) daily! how weird is that?my car has got to go in for the gearbox problem though, I played with Kam�s on Tuesday and his box is like silk compared to mine. I suspect it is the linkage that needs adjusting or at least I hope so. Oh and my rear clam shell has cracked underneath at the fin part and its about 8 inches long! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]

27

I had a Lotus field engineer looking at my engine this week, trying to figure out where my oil’s going. One litre every 200-250 miles without any track use is an amazing rate of oil consumtion. I blame the oil fairies, I recon they’re stealing it at night. The engineer topped it up, and said to run the car for 400-500 miles, and then get them to check the level again, but I don’t think it will take that long to get down to the minimum mark. I think Lotus are going to offer me a replacement engine when they realize how bad it is!

28

I’m using 11.5 litres (yes eleven and a half!) of Mobil 1 oil in less than 6k miles in a 190 upgrade engine. All the experts I have spoken to say this is high but not necessarily a cause for concern - just expensive. The oil seems to be escaping as smoke from the exhaust especially on gear changes. I have also tried Castrol RS and it makes no difference. I was told to go back to mineral oil and see if the engine would re-bed itself back in. Anyone got any comments?Brendan…what happened with your oil consumption issue?

29

the autosport long term testexige had to have its engine replaced because of oil use , did anyone esle see the issue ?.. i dont have the article to hand but ill type it out when i get it … lotus recognised that the engine in general had an oil consumption issue !

30

RogerThe Autosport mag car engine blew because the driver did not regularly check the oil level, & he found out too late that he should have!For what it’s worth, mine (190, decat, SS exhaust)uses about 1 litre per 1000 miles, & about 1 litre per track day (say 150 miles).

31

pesky , personally mate i always make sure im well oiled ! not of course when im driving though …

32

quote:Originally posted by roger x:pesky , personally mate i always make sure im well oiled ! Johnsons Baby Oil, I presume. Do you shave or wax, beforehand? [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

33

Hi Steve,My problem took quite an effort to resolve. Neither the mechanic at Nick Whale’s, or the Lotus field engineer could figure out what was wrong without taking the engine apart. The field engineer suggested replacing the head gasket, and the valve seals, and taking a look at the cylinder liners. When they took the head off, they found the cylinder liners were badly worn on the thrust side at the bottom. The liners were effectively oval, and there was a fair bit of lateral movement in the pistons. This obviously means that oil was getting into the cylinders and being burnt off. I tried to get a replacement engine, but in the end I settled for new pistons, new cylinder liners, new big end shells, a new head gasket, and new valve seals.I had an absolute nightmare getting this sorted, because there was some kind of problem with relations between Lotus, and PTP (who supply the pistons). Lotus even tried fobbing me off with a set of very worn second-hand pistons they found at the service centre at Ketteringham Hall.If you’re looking for a similar problem, one side effect on my car was that if you put your hand in front of the exhaust pipe with the engine running, you would soon find it spattered with black, oily, sooty spots.Hope this helps,Brendan

34

mmmm…thanks Brendan…I will try the hand thing, but judging by the state of the rear clam around the exhaust I might not like what I find!

35

quote:Originally posted by stevegreen:mmmm…thanks Brendan…I will try the hand thing,No further comment necessary [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

36

Now, now, Pesky. No need to lower the tone [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

37

maybe I’ll use a paper tissue instead!

38

I’ve got the 190 upgrade - probably used about a two litres of oil in 4500miles road driving.I’ve been running my motor in the garage every week for half an hour or so over winter to keep the battery topped up (I know: should invest in a trickle charger)Afterwards - theres always a decent splattering of oily sooty spots over the garage floor and on the clam under the exhaust as described above. Should I be worried by this ?Cheers, Tim

39

Tim, I think you’ll find that what you are experiencing is caused by condensation of the exhaust gases, If however you’ve taken it up to temperature, had a good 10 mile blast, come back and it’s still the same, then it could be oil / engine problems etc. p.s. It is not good policy to leave the car running for a few mins in the garage as it doesn’t get up to full running temperature, the spent exhaust gases linger in the exhaust and condense when you turn off the engine. Hey presto - RUST.Regards,Phil GT

40

Phil - thanks - that’s eased my worries [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Yep - after a blast it’s okay. I make sure it gets up to temperature when I just run it in the garage - leave it running a good half hour or so - and the fan cuts in. RUST - agreed - a BAD thing [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/shocked.gif[/image]Would be a good excuse to swap my standard zorst for a Motorsport item though (when I’m a bit richer)Not sure the neighbours would agree though. I already feel obliged to push it out of the garage before I trundle off on early morning blasts. From what I’ve read on here it would be CONSIDERABLY LOUDER. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Cheers, Tim