Using lots of engine oil

[AlexH]

Had another long run (170 mile)..did not press her hard and had no major "blasts" of oil. Will take a look and see if I can see the pipe on the manifold to gearbox - thanks for the tip. Gut feel is valve stem oil seals, so I may get her booked into the garage for them. May be a few weeks but will update once done.
THank you all for your tips and advice.

 

[AlexH]

Finally got the valve stems fitted. Have not yet given her a blast as I don't want to find that it hasn't worked! But I have noticed it starts better (which is a bit odd) and the smell of burning oil has gone. Now it just smells of dogs!! Also had front suspension replaced and lower ball joints. Creaking now gone and handling better. Small steps...

 

[Oktawian]

Hi,

I have an E300TE Straight 6 cylinder petrol W124, which I have recently got back onto the road. It has run 185K. I have run it for a few thousand miles now.

When I first had her running, I saw a thick cloud of smoke on a couple of occassions - It was suggested that it could be valve stem oil seals. After a couple of times doing this when I pulled away, it stopped - have not seen it do it since.

However, I am using quite a lot of oil. I am guessing about a litre every 500 miles. And I am worried and a tad confused.

Worried as I don't want it to be terminal. I have an E220 which has done 170K and does not use a drop.

Confused as I don't see any smoke! And there are no leaks from the engine.

I say that I don't see any smoke, I will qualify!

When I pull away from a junction I habitually check behind me - no clouds of smoke.
Whenever I start her up, I do the same, and no smoke.
If I race the engine hard, I don't see any tell tale 'cloud' in myrear view mirror.

The only thing I think I have seen was when I was motorway driving and I thought I saw a cloud behind me, mind it could have been that the rear window was dirty! It was a bright day too, so hard to tell, but I think it was smoking. I backed off andwhat I thought I saw stopped. I could see no evidence and did accelerate hard a couple of times to see if it was a head gasket issue. When I stopped, I sat and revved - No smoke.

So, if it were a head gasket, then I would expect - well, lots of smoke all the time.
If it were the piston rings, then I would expect puffs when I pull away and accelerate hard (?)
But not sure why it would 'come and go'.

My 'fact gathering' may be poor - maybe it is burning all the time, but I would have seen it at start up.

So,
Am I mad/useless in my diagnosis /observations?
Could there be an intermittent issue?
Could it spell disaster for the old girl?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

KR
Alex

Hi there, it might be that the turbo charger is loose or bad. It happened to my s clad and oil was everywhere because of the turbocharger .

 

[alexanderfoti]

No turbo on this.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

If this is the m103 engine it will have 2 hoses conected to the rocker box , or valve cover .Remove them both .The large one will come off with the air box .The other one is a small one .This might be a little harder to remove as they go very hard over time .After this one is removed you will see in the valve cover a very small hole so you will need a small item to clear it out .. .Me i would remove the valve cover and check inside .You will find a lot of crud in there , if its been burning oil .Oil will be drawn in to the engine if these items are full of thick black grease like after product .A good clean might help to solve your problem You will need a new gasket to replace the cover after.