Alloytec Oil Consumption

[LTH-00L]

Hi Guys, I did a quik search on this but couldn't find anything that was exactly rellevant.

I have a VZ Calais - V6 Alloytec.

About 5000km after my last service, I found that it burned about 1 litre of oil. The car has done about 55,000 km in total.

The oil i used was Mobil one full synthetic.

Has anyone else experienced their Alloytec burning that much oil? Do you think maybe I should change oils?

Any help will be appreciated.

[old holden V8]

I have never heard of Alloytec oil consumption issues - is the car still under new car warranty?

I use the Holden branded oil in the 6 litre pack - GF 10w/30. My car has done >90K and has no oil consumption issues.

Sorry, I can't be any more help.

Cheers

Laurie.

:)

[LTH-00L]

I have never heard of Alloytec oil consumption issues - is the car still under new car warranty?

I use the Holden branded oil in the 6 litre pack - GF 10w/30. My car has done >90K and has no oil consumption issues.

Sorry, I can't be any more help.

Cheers

Laurie.

:)

No the warranty ended in August this year.

I thought it was strange that it was burning oil, that's why i thought i'd put the question out there.

I might try either Shell helix or Castrol Edge next service.

[Red Beard]

Never had any issues either, 113k on my 05 SV6, oil level may be down a poofteenth on the dipstick since the last service (105K), but still at acceptable levels. Are there any leaks under your car? or do you think the problems internal?

[LTH-00L]

Never had any issues either, 113k on my 05 SV6, oil level may be down a poofteenth on the dipstick since the last service (105K), but still at acceptable levels. Are there any leaks under your car? or do you think the problems internal?

I have no oil leaks that I’ve noticed. It would be easy for me to discover leaks as the car is in the driveway every night. The engine is also spotless.

I’m pretty sure it’s an internal issue.

I should mention that since the last service we drove from Sydney to the Gold Coast & back. Maybe it’s a one off cos of the long trip?? Still seems strange to me.

Also, this maybe unrelated but I’ve have a couple of other strange things happening –
1. Once I started up the car when it was already warm and it simply switch off after the revs dropped from the initial start.
2. On 3 or 4 other occansions after a cold start I found the car was vibrating a little as if there was a miss fire. After about 30 sec’s this would go away. This has stopped since I switched to premium unleaded fuel. (I used standard unleaded as this is my daily driver)

[planetdavo]

All cars actually use oil. It's just that most peoples short trips add condensation and contaminants to the oil, artificially increasing the indicated level to where it was.
It is quite a common comment that a car "seems" to have used a fair bit of oil after quite a long trip, whereas the reality is more likely that nice warm long trip burnt out all the impurities, restoring the indicated level to it's "true" lower oil level.
Keep an eye on it now you have returned. I'd be surprised if an Alloytec continues at that rate of consumption now once shorter trips occur.

[LTH-00L]

All cars actually use oil. It's just that most peoples short trips add condensation and contaminants to the oil, artificially increasing the indicated level to where it was.
It is quite a common comment that a car "seems" to have used a fair bit of oil after quite a long trip, whereas the reality is more likely that nice warm long trip burnt out all the impurities, restoring the indicated level to it's "true" lower oil level.
Keep an eye on it now you have returned. I'd be surprised if an Alloytec continues at that rate of consumption now once shorter trips occur.

Thanks, that's really useful info..

Much aprecitated.

Thanks to all who reponded..

[Red Beard]

I agree with planetdavo, I've seen this happen before, a long trip will definitely lower your oil level if you've only been doing short runs. My run to work is only 4kms, so at least once a month I take it for a good 3 or 4 hour run.

[OPTIMUS]

my first question is are you sure its burning it? get underneath and look for leaks.. cant be from oil filter as its ontop but sump plug maybe loose or sump gasket gone etc..

[LTH-00L]

my first question is are you sure its burning it? get underneath and look for leaks.. cant be from oil filter as its ontop but sump plug maybe loose or sump gasket gone etc..

I am now 100% that it is burning it.

As i previously mentioned, occasionally on cold start up the engine misses and vibrates. It did this on the weekend so i got out and went behind the car, I could smell the oil being burnt, so this is must be when the car is burning the oil. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this? I'm not getting any warning lights or any other issues.

[Souljah]

Is it only burning on start up? Valve stem seals?

[LTH-00L]

Yeah it seems to be only on start up.

Valve stem seals at 55,000km??

Is that common for an alloytec?

[monaro327]

narh i haven't see many with oil consumption issues mostly water leaks around the water pump. but just cause it's not common doesn't mean it can't happen.

might be worth pulling out the plugs to see whats happening in the chamber.

[planetdavo]

Yeah it seems to be only on start up.

Valve stem seals at 55,000km??

Is that common for an alloytec?
We've had the occasional head rebuild on an Alloytec, but not particularly often, considering the numbers on the road. It's more common on an aftermarket LPG car (for excessive seat wear).

[LTH-00L]

I've decided to do a couple things based on info i got from here and other sources.

At the next Oil change I will put an oil flush through the engine to completely drain the oil and I will either go with Shell Helix or Castrol Edge full synthetic oil.

I'm also gonna pull out the spark plugs and see what's going on there.

Various people have told me they've used Mobil 1 and their car as also burnt it at a high rate...

I will let you know how this goes and if the problem re-occurs.

Once again thanks to everyone for your responses..

Cheers
Chukky

[SSV8TE]

Gday mate,
My missus has a vy 6cyl calais and hers uses oil. Doesnt leak and doesnt smoke out exhaust. Think they just wear and tear use a little oil. She doesnt check her levels very often so it gets checked by me when i get to it.
Was talking to a few people who own these cars and they have said theirs are the same especially in the hotter months.
Cheers,

Andy.

[90degree]

Hi all. I have a 04/05 VZ ute, manual Alloytec. This thing has used oil from day dot. The dealer here in NZ said they would do a oil consumption test. After four tests, they apparently lost each previous test which helped, NOT. Finely the Ute was out of warranty & now it is my problem. I guess that I didn’t push the issue enough, because there were so many other faults & keep chasing those & would forget the oil problem, which by the way is around 4 to 6 litres per 15K. Dealer said that was good as & when I would push the problem, another fault would appear. The oil being used in it (here in NZ anyway) is the GM 10W/30 packed oil which I think is Fuchs Oil. I think “Fuchs” stands for shit in a different language. So, I believe that some of the Alloytecs do drink, and drink bad. Funny thing though, no smoke ever, even if you pull it to red line in forth, back off the throttle & keep banging down through the gears making each hit red line each time, then in first, bash the throttle & no smoke? I do wonder what this engine does do with all that oil. Next change, going to try Castrol Edge 5W/30 & if I have no luck with that, 80W/90 gear oil.

[LTH-00L]

Hi all. I have a 04/05 VZ ute, manual Alloytec. This thing has used oil from day dot. The dealer here in NZ said they would do a oil consumption test. After four tests, they apparently lost each previous test which helped, NOT. Finely the Ute was out of warranty & now it is my problem. I guess that I didn’t push the issue enough, because there were so many other faults & keep chasing those & would forget the oil problem, which by the way is around 4 to 6 litres per 15K. Dealer said that was good as & when I would push the problem, another fault would appear. The oil being used in it (here in NZ anyway) is the GM 10W/30 packed oil which I think is Fuchs Oil. I think “Fuchs” stands for shit in a different language. So, I believe that some of the Alloytecs do drink, and drink bad. Funny thing though, no smoke ever, even if you pull it to red line in forth, back off the throttle & keep banging down through the gears making each hit red line each time, then in first, bash the throttle & no smoke? I do wonder what this engine does do with all that oil. Next change, going to try Castrol Edge 5W/30 & if I have no luck with that, 80W/90 gear oil.

Hey mate, since changing to Castrol Edge i havent had the issue!

[90degree]

Thank you. Will try & let you know the outcome.
Thanks again.

[gondy]

i have an Oct 04 VZ Berlina with almost 50,000km's and it has been using about a litre of oil every 8,000-9,000 km's been doing it since about 30,000km's maybe even earily (its also using a small amount of coolant which started at about the same time) it does blow smoke on start-up which is where i think its burning the oil. no visible leaks of either. have been using valvoline Synpower 5W-40 since the second service if that helps

[planetdavo]

Bit of a thread mine, but at least on topic.
All engines use oil. It's just that most people's short trips add moisture and contaminants to the oil which replaces the consumed oil, making it "appear" that no oil has been consumed.
Fuchs has a pretty good reputation.
It's also possible that your redline bashing driving style may contribute to this "issue".

[HoldenOnn]

Planetdavo is spot on with his posts about short trips showing an artificial oil level. The longer highway runs will reduce these contaminants and show a more true level. Most cars do use a certain amount of oil. Its the amount of oil that can vary considerably. There is no right or wrong amount with which the amount your car should use. But if it seems more than most users who post up results on here, then a checkup of sorts may be required.

[Adven LX6]

Hi,

I have recently purchased an Adventra LX6 with Alloytech V6. Car had cone 67,000k when bought and is now up to 80,000k. In this time it has consumed approximately 8-10 litres of oil. A recent more accurate consumption test had it at 2.1 litres for 3250k's. Holden of course were spectacularly unhelpful. They basically would not give any information and told me to take it t a dealer. I had been given some conflicting inforamtion from dealers over the phone which is why I went to GMH. The latest information from the dealer was that 2.5litres/10,000k was considered normal. They have admitted that my consumption is excessive and could offer no explanation as the car has no leaks and does not blow smoke at all. It was a 1 owner vehicle with a full service history and presented as immaculate. My brother who is a mecahanic checked it out for me and like the dealer service guys you could not fault it to look at. It only becomes apparent when you driive it for a while and wonder what the hell is going on with it's oil consumption. I now refer to the POS as a "dual fuel model" and sincerely regret my decision to switch from Subaru to Holden. (My last 4 cars have b een Subarus). "Go Better" is a joke. Anyone else had similar issues and worked out the problem.