MY CAR NEEDS OIL EVERY WEEK?

Question

im driving a 99 Seat Cordoba and the oil light comes on every week and i have to keep topping it up as the oil is low.
there are ni visibal signs of leeking
does anybody know what this could be

Answer 1

Hi



First and foremost, the oil light is not a level indicator, is is a PRESSURE indicator, and it will usually come on once the oil pressure has dropped to under 7 ft/lb, or roughly half a bar, and is usually too late, and which in your case is obviously, as you say, being caused by a low oil level. As such, until you have this problem fixed, you should check your oil level every day and top it up as necessary rather than waiting for the oil light to come on.



Are there clouds of blue smoke when you first start the car after it has been stood for a while, ie, over night, which then clears up after a few seconds? If so then you probably have leaking valve stem oil seals.



If they are fitted, then have If the PCV valve and/or the oil seperator checked out. If either becomes blocked then the engine will suck oil from the crank case via the crank breather straight into the intake and burn it away, which would normally cause blue smoke from the exhaust.



If there is blue smoke and it is not being caused by the PCV valve or oil seperator, then have a cylinder compression test and leakdown test carried out to assess the condition of the rings and bores. If this checks out ok then the problem probably lies with the valve guides and/or valve stem oil seals.



Some garages can also carry out a UV test to find leaks wherein UV fluid is added to the oil and then a UV light is used to trace for oil leaks which would give off UV light due to the fluid.



Very best regards



Geordie

Answer 2

Drive down hill with your foot off of the accelerator, then at the bottom, open the accelerator wide, flat to the floor. At the same time, look in your rear view mirror and watch the plumes of 'blue' smoke! That's the engine burning the lubrication oil, that is a worn engine, that needs another engine or an expensive rebuild!



Run it on cheap oil, sell it at auction with the oil nearly empty, buy another car!



You have lots of choices, but next time you buy a car, take someone who knows a little about them with you and try to buy a good one.

Answer 3

Blown piston rings. There's springy rings in grooves around each piston, they form the seal between the piston and the piston barrel (cylinder). When the rings wear or break, the oil vapour gets past. It's noticable to the car driving behind you, when you take your foot off the gas a puff of smoke (the oil) comes out the exhaust.



Take it to a garage, you're going to damage the engine if you run out of oil and if it is the rings, they will be damaging the cylinder walls (which are coated), and you'll end up needing a new engine.



If you can see smoke behind the car when you look in your mirror, don't drive it any more, it's about to die completely. or make sure you have breakdown cover/insurance

Answer 4

First and most important, the oil light is not there to tell you you need oil, you must check and fill oil using the dipstick, (when the oil light comes on,it's usually too late), try an engine flush and refill with a good 20/50 oil and see how it goes, failing that it's an expensive job...

Answer 5

It is most probably wear within the engine (pistons rings and bores) that are causing it to be burnt. The obvious signs are blue smoke from the exhaust as you accelerate However, check the radiator coolant too and if you detect a white greasy emulsion in it then some is also be leaking into there as well because of a failed head gasket.

Answer 6

Either two things you have a leak (could be leaking from somewhere not visible). Or the most common reason- you have bad piston rings. Piston rings act as sealant for the pistons as they make their rotations. The best way to check if you are burning oil (piston rings bad) is check if your car is throwing out any type of abnormal smoke from the exhaust pipe. If so, it's the piston rings. If not you have a leak! Good luck

Answer 7

If it's not losing oil, it's using it. Once the oil light is on, considerable damage is being done to the engine. It's likely that the engine will fail catastrophically, sooner rather than later. Either scrap the car or change or rebuild the engine.

Answer 8

Place a piece of clean cardboard under the engine overnight to double check for leaks. Other than that your engine is badly worn. Trade it in asap.

Answer 9

hi if its burning a lot of oil it will be really smokey for the fist 10 minutes

and it will calm down a bit that is your piston rings it can be quite pricey to get them sorted

Answer 10

No leaking indicates a worn engine.

Send it to the garage to get the mechanic to check.

Answer 11

its brobaly burning try driving less and go to a garage to check if its leaking or something

Answer 12

does your car emit alot of white smoke? if the answer is yes then your engine is burning the oil. that isn't good and will probably cost alot of money to put right

Answer 13

worn cylnder bores sadlly.....nothing much can be done...use cheepy asda oil,£5 a gallon.

Answer 14

motor needs rings or bad seals

Answer 15

would think its either burning it or leaking it