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Old 10-30-2019, 11:48 AM   #1
S-Tecnica-I
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Default Burning Excessive Oil

Hello all.

2015 STi, built motor, no head work
New FP Black JB turbo installed couple months back w/EWG and 1300cc

I use Rotella T6. I had to add 2 quarts yesterday after adding nearly a quart about 2 weeks ago.

No visible leaks. Bad oil smell in cabin. No smoke of any sort at the moment.

Should I be worried???
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Old 10-30-2019, 12:33 PM   #2
KillerBMotorsport
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Depending on what kind of driving you've been doing over the last 2 weeks, yes. That is a lot of oil. Has it always been consuming this much oil?
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Old 10-30-2019, 12:43 PM   #3
S-Tecnica-I
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The consumption seems to have increased over the past 6 months. I have been adding a quart every 2 weeks or less for some time now.

I drive 10-12 min to work, all highway, no stop and go. I might get on it for a quick 2nd thru 3rd gear pull once a day at lunch.

Motor was built about 2 years ago to the day - about 20k miles

Thanks KB
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Old 10-30-2019, 01:28 PM   #4
brecks
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Who built the engine? AOS/catch can setup?

Turbo oil drain could be leaking, I suppose. If its just the oil smell and no smoke out of the exhaust, that'd have to be a pretty big leak somewhere... cam seals?

Do you have an oil pressure gauge?
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Old 10-30-2019, 01:42 PM   #5
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IAG Competition AOS
Defi oil pressure gauge. Always indicates things are fine there.

I don't know. I can't help thinking it is piston related or oil getting passed through the exhaust.
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Old 10-30-2019, 04:56 PM   #6
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So the easy way to check the engine health is compression and leak-down. This will give you a decent probability of detecting something internally wrong like a ring-land failure. After that, you start playing detective; remove the downpipe, look in the turbo inlet, replace PCV Valve, look under the engine, etc... until you find the source. With that much of a loss, and knowing it hasn't always been like that, something has happened to cause the consumption and it's a lot.
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Old 10-30-2019, 05:20 PM   #7
gaz16
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Just started having what sounds to be the exact same issue: excessive oil burn, not much smoke (unless I open the hood after my commute there is definitely a little bit of something something with a big smell). This is with my 2016 WRX with 57,000 miles on it. It's pretty built out, KB Twin Scroll Fury kit with a GTX-3067R, iAG built shortblock, KillerB AOS, etc.

Burned 1.5 quarts over a 400 mile trip to Texas and back (to OK). Typically burns about a quart every 800-1000 miles.

I ordered a replacement "Subaru Complete-Control Valve" (PCV Valve) that I will be replacing, see if that does it. Also after my commute today I'll take a look at the turbo inlet and see if we have some oil there.

I'll let you know what I find (famous last words), if I can't fix it I'll be going to my local pro's for a checkup.
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Old 10-30-2019, 05:46 PM   #8
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I am anxious to know how you make out. I will end up taking it to the builder. I am just a bit scared to know what the problem is.
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Old 10-30-2019, 06:41 PM   #9
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KillerB is right (as usual). That's what I'd be doing provided you don't see any leaks underneath or anything else glaring.

Another thought: do you drive short trips at times and live in a colder climate? If so, drain hoses on AOS can "gunk" up and create a clog, which would mean things aren't breathing the way they should, and oil could be getting blown out your vent hose. Although, that would be a lot of oil to be losing in this manner, imo.
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Old 10-31-2019, 08:38 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brecks View Post
Another thought: do you drive short trips at times and live in a colder climate? If so, drain hoses on AOS can "gunk" up and create a clog, which would mean things aren't breathing the way they should, and oil could be getting blown out your vent hose. Although, that would be a lot of oil to be losing in this manner, imo.
More common on the EJs (I've never seen it on an FA) but a clogged or kinked AOD hose can certainly cause weird oil consumption and smell issues.

If you use our unit, it's super easy to inspect and clean. Heck you can even clean out the lines without even removing the unit too :P
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Old 10-31-2019, 12:17 PM   #11
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I found my PCV to block hose had ripped nearly completely off causing similar smell, don't remember consumption, but would recommend check for wet areas/leaks and if none, run seafoam through brake booster hose to help reduce potential of carbon causing rings/valves to stick!
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Old 10-31-2019, 01:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedi03 View Post
I found my PCV to block hose had ripped nearly completely off causing similar smell, don't remember consumption, but would recommend check for wet areas/leaks and if none, run seafoam through brake booster hose to help reduce potential of carbon causing rings/valves to stick!
I haven't looked to see if the FA20 WRX is included, but I did hear that Subaru came out with a recall in which the PCV valve can fail (crumble) causing all kinds of issues. The noticed sounded like if the PCV valve was removed and pieces not found, it would include replacement of the engine. I haven't laid eye on the bulletin myself, just hearsay from a tech, so if I botched the details then I apologize.
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Old 11-04-2019, 07:00 PM   #13
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My 2005 EJ255 with 118k burns a quart every 5000mi or so. Normal?
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Old 11-04-2019, 07:20 PM   #14
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normal and common are different
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Old 11-05-2019, 03:26 PM   #15
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My 06 EJ255 burnt 0 qt every 3000 miles. Literally the level never changed.
The OEM radiator cracked, slowly lost coolant till it overheated pretty bad and now consumes 1 qt every 1000 miles. Leak down points to worn rings. This was around 140k miles.
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Old 11-05-2019, 05:05 PM   #16
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I have noticed the smell in cabin after spirited driving is really bad. Sometimes there is no smell until I have a little fun.
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Old 11-05-2019, 07:38 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S-Tecnica-I View Post
I have noticed the smell in cabin after spirited driving is really bad. Sometimes there is no smell until I have a little fun.
AOS AOS AOS
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Old 11-06-2019, 09:42 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brecks View Post
AOS AOS AOS
What are you saying exactly? If I assume you didn't read the previous posts, then I will tell you I already have an IAG Competition AOS.
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Old 11-07-2019, 11:12 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S-Tecnica-I View Post
What are you saying exactly? If I assume you didn't read the previous posts, then I will tell you I already have an IAG Competition AOS.
NUMEROUS people including KillerB have told you steps to take to correct/find your issue. I've given you my 2 cents, and your continued posts about oil smell solidify my assumptions.

What happens when you boost/drive hard? You increase your crankcase pressure and test the abilities of your breather system, AOS, etc. If you smell oil, maybe its because oh idk, you're burning it, OR your AOS lines, specifically the drain as I mentioned already, (but "I assume you didn't read the previous posts") can get gummed up especially in colder climates preventing the oil from draining, backing up the AOS, and causing the exact scenario you're describing.

Good luck...
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Old 11-08-2019, 07:33 AM   #20
undyjr
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Doesn't the IAG competition vent to the atmosphere?
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Old 11-08-2019, 04:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brecks View Post
NUMEROUS people including KillerB have told you steps to take to correct/find your issue. I've given you my 2 cents, and your continued posts about oil smell solidify my assumptions.

What happens when you boost/drive hard? You increase your crankcase pressure and test the abilities of your breather system, AOS, etc. If you smell oil, maybe its because oh idk, you're burning it, OR your AOS lines, specifically the drain as I mentioned already, (but "I assume you didn't read the previous posts") can get gummed up especially in colder climates preventing the oil from draining, backing up the AOS, and causing the exact scenario you're describing.

Good luck...
Thanks
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Old 11-10-2019, 10:31 AM   #22
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There is another option. Contact Terry Dyson of Dyson Oil Analysis, he just retired from commercial consulting work but will continue to offer his services to the consumer market. There's no one better at forensic chemistry analysis and he'll tell you what's going on internally. At the minimum point you in the right direction. His Advanced Analysis comes with 15-20m audio going over the report including IR JOAP method and unlimited email correspondence, which is worth 10x what he charges for one advanced report. Blackstone is a meal at McDonalds', Dyson is Peter Luger's Steakhouse.
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Old 12-24-2020, 06:06 PM   #23
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After being under the car for a long time (changing the clutch) I noticed a lot of oil dripping from the heads onto the exhaust, causing the oil burning smell in the cabin.



Seems the head COVER gasket (NOT head gasket) is leaking and I'm not surprised at 190K miles.


I'm losing about 1 qt every 1000 miles.
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Old 12-25-2020, 01:03 PM   #24
spoolinsti05
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Ekk burning that much oil I'd pull the exhaust manifold and down pipe. If the engine is burning it the manifold will be soaked.

If the turbo is burning it the downpipe will be soaked... It's really that simple.

Journal bearing turbos do not have a 360° shaft seal. So they will leak some oil regardless.. and heavily if the crankcase vent isn't setup well.
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Old 12-26-2020, 08:39 AM   #25
benflynn
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How do they not have a 360 shaft seal? They use 2 piston type rings on both ends. A lot don’t have 360 thrust, but many of the customs do, fp ect
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