320CDI Oil Consumption.

[Colin_b]

I've done 6,000 miles in my C320cdi, now at 68,000 miles. It has used no oil at all, the dipstick level has remained at the full mark.

Previous diesels I've have used some oil, so I was expecting a little use, hence my wondering if this lack of oil use is to be expected?

 

[Dieselman]

It probably is using oil but replenishing the lost volume with fuel.
Try removing the oil filter and smelling it, I guess it will reek of diesel.

 

[blue gnome123]

Mine has never used any oil. Not quite sure why Dieselman thinks that it is replenishing oil with diesel? It's not that unusual for a modern car not to use oil. My Honda cdti didn't from new until over 100K when I sold it.

 

[Dieselman]

All engines burn off a little oil but diesel engines tend to pass some diesel past the rings so the level often stays the same, or can actually rise.

 

[Colin_b]

All engines burn off a little oil but diesel engines tend to pass some diesel past the rings so the level often stays the same, or can actually rise.

The oil level seems to have remained constant, and doesn't smell of anything but slightly dirty oil. Given the oil change interval, I imagine it is very small amounts of fuel getting into the oil.

Thus normal, so I need not be concerned?

 

[Dieselman]

Thus normal, so I need not be concerned?

I didn't mean be concerned, but it will be burning off a little oil by the nature of the bore honing.

 

[Colin_b]

I didn't mean be concerned, but it will be burning off a little oil by the nature of the bore honing.

Got you. Thanks for explaining

 

[gilbert121262]

Mine just flashed up "check oil level at next fuel stop" Just had a spirited drive back from Dorset and stopped at fleet services, As I was pulling back on m3 this flashed up. Was only 50 miles from home and I had Litre of low ash merc oil indoors so carried on. Flashed up twice more on way back. Put the litre in and all seems ok. Had oil changed 9k miles ago. Is this a sign of impending doom or normal oil consumption.