Oil consumption on an na car

[Beef_Weezle]

So, my 07 leggy 5spd has gotten steadily worse with regard to oil consumption. I started off with Royal Purple, switched to Amsoil, and finally Mobil1. Nothing makes a difference.

 

Recently, my girlfriend was driving the car and said a light was occasionally flickering. Then the CEL came on. When she got home, I made the discovery that the car was two quarts low, causing the oil pressure light to illuminate. The CEL was due to the solenoids for the variable valve timing not getting enough oil. Needless to say, I was scared sh@tless that my engine was shot. However, two quarts of mobil1 later, she purred like a kitten. No valve or crank noise. No blue smoke.

 

I drive her very spiritedly. My question is, why is she eating oil? What can I do to mitigate this? It's about a quart every thousand miles, but seems to be getting worse.

[SCASEYS]

someone say mobiljuan?

[lingling1337]

Start monitoring your oil consumption to see how bad it is, I would say check every 100 mi to start if it seems to be drastic enough that you are losing 2 quarts quickly.

[GEE-OTTO]

I would change your oil to 5w30 whatever is on sale. From day 1 monitor oil if its bad say 1 qrt per 500 miles that an issue look for leaks, blue smoke if it 1 qrt every 10 miles well thats ok in my book i change religiously every 3500 im at 133K and i burn maybe a 1.5 qrts during a cycle.

[jhow257415]

Hey bud I have two N/A's '07 Leggy, and '08 impreza...Both cars require a full quart of oil every 1500 miles, I do complete oil change every 3k on both cars. all I use, and all I have ever used is Mobil1 5w-30, I too occasionally have gotten the cel from low oil (at least twice), I just monitor frequently and its never a prob anymore. This is just something our engines do after a while! My local subaru dealer reported to me that the oil consumption by the n/a's falls within the acceptable ratio/ limit that is required by the US regulating bodes...i.e. "it may consume some, its may even leak some, we (SOA) know, but it meets standards so you are SOL!"

[bomberlegacy]

I've always read on here that our cars drink mobil1 like its water..

 

my car with 45k miles hasn't burned any in 1500 miles. Running amsoil european mid saps 5w40

[Beef_Weezle]

Hey bud I have two N/A's '07 Leggy, and '08 impreza...Both cars require a full quart of oil every 1500 miles, I do complete oil change every 3k on both cars. all I use, and all I have ever used is Mobil1 5w-30, I too occasionally have gotten the cel from low oil (at least twice), I just monitor frequently and its never a prob anymore. This is just something our engines do after a while! My local subaru dealer reported to me that the oil consumption by the n/a's falls within the acceptable ratio/ limit that is required by the US regulating bodes...i.e. "it may consume some, its may even leak some, we (SOA) know, but it meets standards so you are SOL!"

 

As you said, along with everyone else I've talked to, 1q/1500miles is normal. However, I had something interesting happen the other day.

 

I took my Leggy in for the "rusty brake lines" recall, only to find out that both head gaskets were leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. I was in disbelief and insisted on seeing it for myself. Sure enough, they were. And it wasn't a small leak, either.

 

After weighing my options (trade it in or fix it), I decided to get it fixed. I also ask the service advisor how much it would cost to do the timing belt as well (the car has 87k on it). He said he would only charge for parts (since the engine would already be out of the car) and quoted me $2700. I cried a little inside and left the dealership in a rental car.

 

The next day, the dealership called me with some bad news. Apparently, my clutch was also shot. I had a hard time believing this, since I'd never had a problem with it. It never slipped and there were never any bad smells. I insisted on seeing the clutch before I authorized the work. Sure enough, the friction disk had bluish signs of heat damage, it was warped, and the friction pads were badly glazed. I authorized the work with the stipulation I wouldn't get charged labor, and then went home and drank a twelve pack.

 

$3300 later, including the rental car, I have my Leggy back. The dealership finished all of the work, without an appointment, in under 48 hours.

 

I drive the car spiritedly, but I'm experienced in driving a manual. How could this have happened? Also, are blown head gaskets common on these cars? The dealership said the new gasket was redesigned, although they have only done a few head gaskets ever on Legacys.

[GTEASER]

Switch to Castol Edge 5W30 immediately and thank me later.

 

And never use Mobil 1 or Royal Purple.

[katalyst]

I drive the car spiritedly, but I'm experienced in driving a manual. How could this have happened? Also, are blown head gaskets common on these cars? The dealership said the new gasket was redesigned, although they have only done a few head gaskets ever on Legacys.

 

Happened to me too. I had to get my head gaskets replaced. I noticed my coolant levels would decrease after a period of time and need a top off but never knew where the coolant was going....guess that was the cause after a while when oil actually started to seep out. This was about 1.5yrs ago but now I've developed another undiagnosed leak, getting it checked right now at a shop.

 

I also had a MAP sensor that went bad for no reason and needed to be replaced. I'm religious about maintenance on the car but lately I'm getting pretty f*cking pissed off about the relatively poor reliability of the vehicle given that it's not even that high in age.

 

update: shop says they can't find the leak even though I've been finding new spots of oil on the ground ...maybe I'm just crazy....#_#

[iyalla]

someone say mobiljuan?

 

Tried it once at 30k, didn't like the way my 05 NA sounded on it. This boxer engine just doesn't like Mobil 1 IMHO. I started running synBlend Castrol GTX 5w30 or synthetic Rotella 5w40. No oil usage.

 

Had to have the valve cover gaskettes replaced during the timing belt service at 95k, oil was pooling on the outside of the spark plug well sleeves. I see very minor seepage from the headgaskette seals.

 

Bottom line is Subaru just can't lick this oil leak thing! Every new engine model they say they've licked it and it just keeps resurfacing. They have cut down on the number of reported cases but it still happens way too often.

 

Car is now at 104k mile, and despite two minor accidents, its running strong. Keeping fingers crossed that the head gaskette just holds it together for another 100k before minor seepage becomes major seepage lol:)