Engine: B5244: one thing that puzzles me... slightly.

[ThomasG]

Basically.. A year ago, just before trip to Poland, I checked and topped up all the liquids.

In Frankfurt area (south of Germany) I had to top up engine oil.

About, I'd say.. Glass and a half, let's say 40cl.

Strangely, I didn't have to do it on the way back. Neither on the way to southern(ish) France nor back.

This year, as some may know, we went camping in lake district. Mere 350 miles.
Liquids checked and topped up beforehand, on arrival I had to put some 20cl in.

And then again, didn't take a drop on the way back.

Whilst I can't see it as a big problem (and hopefully it will stay this way), I'm incredibly curious as to cause of such peculiar behaviour.

V70, OU52 (I'm actually in a state of perpetual gormlessness as to model year 02? 03?) B5244S (170bhp, no turbo), some 265k miles on it.

Ideas, anyone?

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by ThomasG

Basically.. A year ago, just before trip to Poland, I checked and topped up all the liquids.

In Frankfurt area (south of Germany) I had to top up engine oil.

About, I'd say.. Glass and a half, let's say 40cl.

Strangely, I didn't have to do it on the way back. Neither on the way to southern(ish) France nor back.

This year, as some may know, we went camping in lake district. Mere 350 miles.
Liquids checked and topped up beforehand, on arrival I had to put some 20cl in.

And then again, didn't take a drop on the way back.

Whilst I can't see it as a big problem (and hopefully it will stay this way), I'm incredibly curious as to cause of such peculiar behaviour.

V70, OU52 (I'm actually in a state of perpetual gormlessness as to model year 02? 03?) B5244S (170bhp, no turbo), some 265k miles on it.

Ideas, anyone?

It could well be that with the usual shorter runs over time, petrol "washdown*" of the cylinders in a higher mileage engine at start-up dilutes the oil whilst making it look as though the level is at the top of the cross hatching on the dip-stick ie. there appears to be little or no oil used.

On a longer run a higher engine operating temperature is maintained for longer - the petrol evaporates from the oil, making it look as though that run has used a lot of oil....it hasn't the engines usual use of oil is masked by the petrol so the top up needed is how much oil has been used since the last time it was topped-up.

* Petrol washdown can make it difficult to re-start a higher mileage engine if it is turned off within a minute or so of being started, as compression is partially lost when the when the oil in the piston oil control rings is washed down/burned off after start up - the 850 I had was particularly prone to the problem - it just wouldn't restart if it hadn't run for at least 3 minutes - it is usually larger engined cars that suffer from this problem....older Jags are notorious!

The problem gets worse if you rev a car before turning off as too much unburnt fuel ends up in the cylinder.

[ThomasG]

A very good explanation!

Thank you.

Would it make sense to use a bit denser oil? I think not, but better to ask, I guess.

Car does mostly short runs, indeed, only once or twice a year something longer (that us- measured in hundreds of miles)

Thank you again, now I can get back to work and sleep easy

[Georgeandkira]

Same thing with me

In my case, after weeks of local driving, a 500 mile highway trip required a 240ml (8 oz.) top-up.
Shortly thereafter, a mountainous 240 mile run required no top-up.

Therefore: ASt85 MUST BE RIGHT! (Inarguable logic spoken here)

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by ThomasG

V70, OU52 (I'm actually in a state of perpetual gormlessness as to model year 02? 03?)

The 10th digit of your chassis/VIN is the model year.
I would imagine a 52 plate will be a 3 for 2003.

[ASt85]

I don't think the type or viscosity of the oil would make any difference because they all get diluted by petrol or diesel during the warm up period in higher mileage engines.

My V70 has about 210K miles on it, I try to let it run for at least 3 minutes if I move it off the drive because of the problems I had with the 850 if I let it run for less than that. On one occasion I could only get the compression back by pouring about 50mls of engine oil into each pot via the spark plug holes............really smokey start-up, but it did start on the first if lengthy cranking after having repeatedly failed to start after being turned off after less than a minutes running.

It is a common problem found in larger/older engines, particularly older Jaguars & etc.

[Missing Lincs]

I think there's another possible explanation, on the way there it must be slightly uphill on average, therefore slightly downhill on the way back. The extra engine work going uphill and the greater than average time spent with the engine tipped back must by why oil use is only on the way there

Don't worry, I'm leaving now and I won't be back

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by Missing Lincs

I think there's another possible explanation, on the way there it must be slightly uphill on average, therefore slightly downhill on the way back. The extra engine work going uphill and the greater than average time spent with the engine tipped back must by why oil use is only on the way there

Don't worry, I'm leaving now and I won't be back

Now I actually begun to worry.

I wanted to climb K2 next year... Not sure can I carry enough oil for all these top ups..

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by Missing Lincs

I think there's another possible explanation, on the way there it must be slightly uphill on average, therefore slightly downhill on the way back. The extra engine work going uphill and the greater than average time spent with the engine tipped back must by why oil use is only on the way there

Don't worry, I'm leaving now and I won't be back

Love it!

Isn't that why it's slower driving to Scotland than when you're coming back?

Tee hee

[oragex]

Old PCV can also take some oil