Oil usage???

[paulk]

Some advice please, I've a 4.2 Cerbera 96 plate which I had to travel to Birmingham from Durham on Saturday I made sure the oil was on the mark before I left. Just before I got to my destination Approx 200miles I noticed the oil pressure gauge fluctuating quite badly when going round corners. I stopped checked the oil which was on the min mark! About 1.5litres to fill back up. I have no leaks and there does not seem to be any blue smoke from the exhaust hot or cold.

Am I worrying about nothing or am I looking at a huge rebuild bill?

I spoke to a dealer who said it was normal to use 1 litre every 600 miles.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Paul

[gazzab]

I find that the oil on my 4.5 is difficult to read - seems best read when the car is hot. The car should be 100% on flat ground as well. IMHO

[leszekg]

quote:
I spoke to a dealer who said it was normal to use 1 litre every 600 miles.

I'm not sure what's 'normal' Paul, but 1 litre in 600 miles as quoted by the dealer sounds a bit high from my experience, albeit in a 4.5 Cerbera.

I've been monitoring my cars oil consumption since I bought it at the begining of the year. I have so far used approx 1.8 litres over 3000 miles in my 3 months of ownership, so 1 litre to about 1600-1700 miles.

[paulk]

Thanks for your advice its looking as if I am going to have a big engine bill very soon.

Using 1.5litres in 200 miles is not good news.

Any further advice on what the cause could be would be most welcome.

Paul

[gazzab]

You must have some oil burning or a big leak somewhere? Does the car smoke at start up or when changing gear at high revs? Get someone to follow you and look for somke?

[paulk]

I have no leaks and there does not appear to be any smoke from the back. Unfortunately I can only get someone to follow me at slow to medium fast speeds.

I have recently been to Elvington were I was followed on a number of occasions and no one reported smoke from the back.

The car still performs OK and the oil pressure at motoway speeds is 60psi which I think is fine.

Paul

[mycerbera]

Could be a loose valve guide, like mine had?
Just been fixed and getting it back this week!
Only cost £4,500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or you may not!

[yellowcerbie]

Are you throwing flames from your exhaust?

[paulk]

Yes I have been told that I get flames from the exhaust but it has had the cats removed and sports pipes fitted.

Paul

[Tarsik]

quote:

quote:
I spoke to a dealer who said it was normal to use 1 litre every 600 miles.

I'm not sure what's 'normal' Paul, but 1 litre in 600 miles as quoted by the dealer sounds a bit high from my experience, albeit in a 4.5 Cerbera.

I've been monitoring my cars oil consumption since I bought it at the begining of the year. I have so far used approx 1.8 litres over 3000 miles in my 3 months of ownership, so 1 litre to about 1600-1700 miles.

My usage is similar. Have done 2000 miles and used around 1.5 litres in a 4.2.

[paulk]

Well it seems to be the piston rings, dealer done lots of tests and is dropping pressure on each bore at a similar rate. Which I suppose is good news that the engine is wareing evenly.
Is going to cost 1k +vat to fix which is better than 4-5k from TVR at Blackpool.

Thanks to you all for your comments and advice.

Paul

[mycerbera]

You say TVR Blackpool are not doing the work.. So who is? Dealer? I was told only Blackpool could do such jobs?

[paulk]

The dealer is Team Proactive in Birmingham apparantly they have done a couple of Cerbera engines. I know TVR like to do all the work themselfs however I do belive they can not refuse to supply parts, especially if the customer requests the parts.

Paul

[gazzab]

Dont know how it will cost 1K plus to fix? To take engine out and in is about 15hrs labour. Then you have to take the engine apart, fit parts, new fluids, plugs etc regas air con etc etc....
If you were suggesting 2K then that might be nearer the mark?

[paulk]

Thats the price I've been quoted so unless there is more trouble then thats the price I will pay.

+1 year guarantee on the replaced parts and 3 years on the paint work.

Paul

[gazzab]

Sounds like a bargain!!!

[d_drinks]

quote:
You say TVR Blackpool are not doing the work.. So who is? Dealer? I was told only Blackpool could do such jobs?

To replace oil rings is not a major job in it's self, getting the bloody thing apart will be where the time is spent !! Any mechanic with a degree of nouce will not have too much trouble (done this on several engines myself - as dad owned his own garage), though the hourly rate must be very low e.g. <£15 p/h

[Cristof]

For another reason I had to contact Trading Standards, and you may all be pleased to know that the engine would be covered for a period of six years. Reason being the cost of vehicle the type of vehicle and any catastrophic failure would have to be covered by the manufacturer

[gazzab]

What does this mean?