Perkins M30 oil consumption

[Tamar]

I have no leaks, and it doesn't seem to burn any, no smoke but after around 15 hours running the dipstick level is down by 1/4 but it doesn't get any lower. Any ideas anyone, am I filling it up too much.

 

[VicS]

I have no leaks, and it doesn't seem to burn any, no smoke but after around 15 hours running the dipstick level is down by 1/4 but it doesn't get any lower. Any ideas anyone, am I filling it up too much.

I would feel inclined run at the 3/4 full level , but check the crankcase breathing system is not obstructed.

 

[penberth3]

I have no leaks, and it doesn't seem to burn any, no smoke but after around 15 hours running the dipstick level is down by 1/4 but it doesn't get any lower. Any ideas anyone, am I filling it up too much.

Crankshaft end seals? Look for any obvious leak - and anywhere oil might be collecting out of sight.

 

[TernVI]

It sounds like a lot of oil to lose without trace?

I would be sceptical about no oil loss after 15 hours?
Could it be the first 15 hours involved some running which used oil (particular RPM, sea conditions?) and the subsequent use did not?

Could be something like stuck rings freed up now of course.

I'd put some more oil in it and monitor it very closely!
Check the breather plumbing too.

 

[neil_s]

Your 3/4 full and it stays that way - what's to worry about?

 

[Tamar]

It sounds like a lot of oil to lose without trace?

I would be sceptical about no oil loss after 15 hours?
Could it be the first 15 hours involved some running which used oil (particular RPM, sea conditions?) and the subsequent use did not?

Could be something like stuck rings freed up now of course.

I'd put some more oil in it and monitor it very closely!
Check the breather plumbing too.

It seems to act the same whatever the conditions. I'm not too concerned just curious as to what is happening, it only takes about half a teacup of oil to reach the mark, which doesn't really add up to the loss

 

[TernVI]

It seems to act the same whatever the conditions. I'm not too concerned just curious as to what is happening, it only takes about half a teacup of oil to reach the mark, which doesn't really add up to the loss

Half a teacup is a quarter of something?
I'm confused now!

 

[Tamar]

Half a teacup is a quarter of something?
I'm confused now!

The oil capacity is 3.8 LTRs, a half a teacup is not a 1/4 of 3.8 LTRs, is it? But it always comes upto the mark after topping up, the bilge is spotless, and no smoke at all, even on startup.
Maybe some previous owner has changed the dipstick?

 

[reeac]

Is that down by a quarter on the permissible range as marked on the dipstick? Half a teacup is about 0.08 litres ( by my measurement) so no problem with 3.8 litre sump capacity. Curious phenomenon though.

 

[neil_s]

Maybe the amount of oil required to fill the filter?

 

[TernVI]

Maybe the amount of oil required to fill the filter?

Sounds about right.
but the filter should have filled in the first minute, not over the first 15 hours running?

Why don't all engines have oil filters you can fill before fitting, like my bike does?

 

[DownWest]

Sounds about right.
but the filter should have filled in the first minute, not over the first 15 hours running?

Why don't all engines have oil filters you can fill before fitting, like my bike does?

Changed oil and filter on a friend's Golf 1.9TDI . Unusually it has a cartridge filter, rather than the screw-on can type. So most of the oil was left in the housing. This was for a CT (MOT) and it had failed on emissions. Changing the oil and filter (he could not remember when it was changed before...) got it through. Did the 'Italian tune up' of course.