oil dissapearing?

1. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

   #1 10th September 2005, 23:52

   since having a filter and oil change back in around march ive have three occasions were my low oil light has came on, thought it had stopped this until at trax it came on again before setting off home. there dosent seem to be any marks left on the floor of the garage from a leak. the only engine mod i have is a k&n 57i which was installed by the guy who previously had it. any help would be much appreciated thanks
   
   danny
2. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

   #2 11th September 2005, 00:10

   has it got a crank case breather on like a little k&n filter if you know what i mean it could be leaking out of there but it shouldnt leak that much out of it
   
   and do you top it up right to the max level everytime
3. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

   #3 11th September 2005, 00:13

   i aint got a little filter just think the pipe connects up to the main filter as standard. just mentioned the k&n as when i got it the guy hadnt bothered to fit the cold air feed. id say i top it up about just above half maybe 3/4
4. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

   #4 11th September 2005, 00:16

   how long would you say it takes for the light to come on
5. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

   #5 11th September 2005, 00:19

   couldnt really say mate it happened twice pretty recent after the filter change but then didnt happen for a while till trax
6. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

   #6 11th September 2005, 00:25

   its not leaking from the filter is it
7. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

   #7 11th September 2005, 00:38

   i havent seen any leaking theres no marks being made on the floor either
8. gafvts Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2005 hull Posts: 2566 supercharged saxo vts

   #8 11th September 2005, 14:10

   insteed of just topping up the oil drain all the oil out and put new in,see if your oil light comes on after that,maybe a dodgy light
9. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

   #9 11th September 2005, 23:44

   u think i shoudl get a oil & filter change then gaf? the lights seemes to be ok as evrytime it comes on i check the dipstick and its low
10. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #10 12th September 2005, 05:00

    if your losing oil it cant be the light whats faulty
    you could try it mate as it could be leaking from the filter or sump plug but like you said before you cant see it leaking from anywere so it must be burning it which is a bit of a worry
11. gafvts Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2005 hull Posts: 2566 supercharged saxo vts

    #11 12th September 2005, 16:21

    try taking the sump off and have a look in there
12. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

    #12 12th September 2005, 20:33

    it looked abit greasy under the bottom but its not dripping. im not too clever with engines wats the sump plug? if it was burning oil would it have past an emmissions test?
13. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #13 12th September 2005, 22:59

    sump plug is where they drain the oil from its right at the bottom of the engine il try get a pic for you
    im not sure if it would depends how much its burning but i would say no it wouldnt as your car sounds like its losing a fair bit
14. chrissyboy Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2005 Dorset, UK Posts: 104

    #14 13th September 2005, 20:19

    Get someone to follow you mate then ask them if any blue smoke comes out of your exhaust to see if you are burning oil. It's most likely to be visible when hot and at high revs and between gear changes.
15. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

    #15 13th September 2005, 20:28

    yeah ok mate ill give that a try sometimes but surely if your cars burning oil it must fail an emmisions test as it cant be good for the environment or wateva.
    
    wats the problems then if it is burning oil?
16. Ratty Established Member Joined: Jun 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 1682

    #16 13th September 2005, 22:02

    some saxos had a problem with the oil level sensor/pressure switch failing which made the light come on, might be worth looking at how much it costs for a new one then swap it and see how it goes.
17. dsh85 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2005 Teesside Posts: 8800 focus tdci, clio v6

    #17 14th September 2005, 03:11

    i kno wat ya mean but when the light comes on ive checked the dipstick and its low
18. chrissyboy Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2005 Dorset, UK Posts: 104

    #18 14th September 2005, 13:16

    It might still pass emissions test on idle and fast idle if it's burning it as it depends how bad it is and when it does it. If it is burning it then piston rings or valve stem seals would be to blame.
    
    Another possiblity is that it could be leaking from the head gasket. If the head gasket is shot then it can leak oil into the coolant, in which case the coolant will have brown sludge floating on the top, or it can leak out the sides, particularly the front corner.