I think this is terminal

[chris810]

Last week my car turned 160k and nothing has broken for about a fortnight however it has started using oil at a prodigous rate, its not coming out of the exhaust and its not dripping onto the floor but it was using about 1 ltr every 1000 miles, but in the last few days it has shown the soot filter full message and i have to drive at 3500 rpm for about 30 miles to clear it, now today it does about 70 miles and the filter is full and a run to clear it generates an oil level low message.

So i am guessing that it is burning it somewhere which is then clogging up the filter and the run at high revs burns the filter off then clogs it again, and its getting worse

So anyone an idea of where it might be burning it ? Turbo seals or rings? i havent done any investigation yet but it is rapidly becoming undrivable

[Ducklakeview]

Other than the oil, is it running ok ie not down on power etc? If so I'd be checking the crankcase breather system as it could be blocked, forcing it to burn the oil.

Has it been looked after and properly serviced, as it's unusual for a D5 to burn oil at such a relatively low mileage.

Mike

[gmonag]

You could take a look in the inlet charge air pipe (runs from the turbo to the intercooler, then to the engine). If it is full of oil (before the EGR plenum) then the problem is with the turbo.

[Tannaton]

Do you get any blue or white smoke when you accelerate from rest?

[chris810]

To answer you guys

Ducklakeview. I service myself and have done for the last 60k i have no drop in performance and its running fine

Gmonag. My memory is that looking at the pipe is a bit more involved with the 185 than the 165 so i havent looked at that yet


Tannaton. There is no smoke blue or otherwise under acceleration from rest, in fact the car is running extremely well except for the oil usage and the limp mode

Would a compression test help to tie down the issue? Or is that a bit of overkill at this stage

[rsymes2k]

Originally Posted by chris810

To answer you guys

Ducklakeview. I service myself and have done for the last 60k i have no drop in performance and its running fine

Gmonag. My memory is that looking at the pipe is a bit more involved with the 185 than the 165 so i havent looked at that yet


Tannaton. There is no smoke blue or otherwise under acceleration from rest, in fact the car is running extremely well except for the oil usage and the limp mode

Would a compression test help to tie down the issue? Or is that a bit of overkill at this stage

Have you checked for leaks / oil in water? Logic says if its not leaking or in the water then it must be burning it?

Which then points to the turbo system/pipework really.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by chris810

To answer you guys

Ducklakeview. I service myself and have done for the last 60k i have no drop in performance and its running fine

Gmonag. My memory is that looking at the pipe is a bit more involved with the 185 than the 165 so i havent looked at that yet


Tannaton. There is no smoke blue or otherwise under acceleration from rest, in fact the car is running extremely well except for the oil usage and the limp mode

Would a compression test help to tie down the issue? Or is that a bit of overkill at this stage

Puzzling.... I would be inclinded to drop the engine undertray as the sound deadening pad can absorb a lot of oil before it starts to drop to the floor - but I wouldn't have thought as much as a litre.

If you have the kit to do it then a compression test might be worth doing - if nothing else it might tell you that the main engine block is sound. If you had a broken piston ring or similar issue you would be more likely to get a lot of blow by gas and issues around the engine breathing system etc.

Hardened valve seals can cause excessive oil consumption but this is usually a gradual onset and characterised by a cloud of smoke [from the exhaust] on startup.

I would agree with previous suggestions in that the turbo is the most likely cause based on the symptoms - this is certainly not terminal or horrifically expensive to sort. Even if you did need a whole new engine, the D5 is so reliable that second hand engines are relatively cheap - there are companies who will replace your engine with a used one with three months warranty for £1,500 - £2,000.

I'd also have a good sniff of the exhaust on startup and revving, excessive oil burning is usually identifiable by its odor.

[Shadeyman]

My guess is a failed turbo oil seal, probably inlet side, burning 1ltr every 1000 miles you'd not see any blue smoke.

[chris810]

My gut feeling is that its the turbo, is the oil seal part of the unit ? I have, don't ask why a couple of turbos, an intercooler and lots of other bits and another engine so i can have the turbos inspected and if they are ok i can replace one.
On friday i drove at a main dealer another 90 an executive with 80k on it looking to change, however mine drives so much better smoother etc and i decided the extra kit on the executive i did not need. Therefore i have decided to mend mine. I am on holiday at the moment so when i get back i will dive in and get it sorted.

i have stopped doing 5000 miles a month so i have the time to get stuck in, now what i really need is a two post lift.

[gmonag]

There are service kits available for the turbos if you already have a spare.