Checked my oil a few days ago and it was showing very minimal on one side of the dipstick.

Last oil change was synionic 10w50 8000 miles ago which was last August. Never had to top up whenever I've checked but recently was driving to the petrol pump and it was really jerky so decided to check the levels. Can't see any leaks on the driveway . Today I've put in a litre to get it just about above the halfway mark to full on the dipstick.

I've got the car booked in for check up and full service with FB Tuning in two weeks but I'm quite restless and would like to know if anyone can tell from my video if the engine sounds like it's coming to an end.

Love the blitz exhaust but with this the downside is I can't hear any new noises from the engine!

Also how is it that a litre of oil gets the dipstick to half way?! How the hell does this work??


Any help much appreciated guys

 

doesn't sound like its knocking at all in my opinion.

there is an art to dipping the impreza lol, I usually dip mine 3 times from cold to get the correct reading

 

Thanks for your reply shreksta. I've spent almost 2 hours in the petrol station for good flat ground. Don't understand why it's so much work on these.

Wondering if there are any sensors that we can fit on these Subaru's to get oil readings more easily for regular piece of mind...
Googling begins

 

Sounds ok to me thought I heard a wee knock at the beginning but it might of been the tv . They usually knock just on the over run at the beginning, let it warm right up for 20 mins then give it a half decent rev quickly to about 4k and listen at the over run. Could be tensioner also. The other thing is where did your oil go?

 

Thanks for the reply Joe. I'm also interested in finding out who stole my oil!

Rich at FB tuning said he will do a leak test and investigate but that's in two weeks time. Gonna let it just sit on the drive for now.

I've got full belt kit and all fluids ready to go in if the engine is ok, really hoping it's nothing but I did find very tiny shiny black bits like crumbs about 4 tiny pieces on my dipstick when I first pulled it out. I am ****ting myself cos they stuck to a magnet off the tissue!

 

Not good that Sir me thinks a trailer is the order of the day. Good luck.

 

I had the same. I check regular as I got a rebuild last year. Was just above L.
dipped and dipped to be 100% sure as I over filled last year.
put A half litre in and it brought it up to just below half way. I'm happy leaving it there and keeping an eye on it. Have the other half litre just in case.

hate dipping as it's never consistent

 

Thanks mate. Fingers crossed it's just little bit of wear in the oil

 

Oh man you've had a rebuild and you still face this issue!! Does the car burn it? Or what. Where does it go!!!

 

Easy way to dip for me anyway:
Leave dipstick out for a couple of minutes,put back in half way then stab it in the rest and back out fast.

 

thanks, done with checking now had enough! will check again before driving to the garage for inspection/service.

Any idea where my oil might be going though?

does driving style cause drinking of oil? I read somewhere engine braking might cause drinking oil, is this true... anyone know from experience? i do this here and there so hoping this is the only reason but to loose 1.5litre or so is a lot isnt it!

 

Sounds fine to me, all I can hear is the injectors....noisy buggers at the best of times.

 

Lol thanks mate! Tonight's sleep will deffo be better haha

 

At 4K mile oil change I find I drain out about half a litre less than originally put in.
So yours being at 8k since it was last changed, I would expect it to be a litre down.
I can't here any knocking in the vid, I've found when they do go the first sign is knocking just at the point boost starts building, never heard one knocking pre 2k rpm. So I would pay particular attention to it while revving from 2-3.5k rpm.

 

thats a fair bit to lose - if you were running a thinner 5w30 or 5w40, that may be in the "normal" range but i generally find the thicker oils more consistent.
with a standard breather system a fair bit just gets lost in vapour, in fairness i change mine every 6 months and the oils pretty cruddy by then even though only 2-3k miles old.
just keep an eye out really-engine sounded fine

 

Thank you very much for your replies debbiesonic & madwrx. I’m thinking if all is good I should maybe get a catch can fitted for peace of mind... I read it helps reduce consumption and keeps the intake clean. Win win !

 

I used to get paranoid about this, til logic set in and I realised the dipstick doesnt go all the way to the bottom of the sump.

Not long after getting my blob I forgot to check the oil, pulled the stick, nothing, not a drop. Checked the history and bought some 10w40 thinking i'd need most of it but after a litre it was just above minimum and after another half litre was nearly up to full.

BTW, your engine sounds fine, but as most have said, I'd do a mini service on it

 

Thanks for the reply Ricky. It's going in for major service next Thursday. Drove it today and it looks like it hasn't lost any more oil.

I wonder if porches boxer engines have the same dipstick issue. Why would u design a dipstick like to measure like that!?

Bit of struggle to get it started today but thinking that's due to plugs being worn although they were only replaced a year ago.