4G18 oil level low

[Biggs3ne]

I switched from 10w 30 to 20w 50 a few months ago fellas because I find the oil level used to drop after a month thereabout. I checked my dipstick out of curiosity this morning and noticed that the oil level was on the 2nd marker. Can any of you share your thoughts on this? I checked the ground and so no oil on the ground either. I also topped up the oil level sometime early last month after I replaced my head gasket in April.

The guy at the parts place said that it happens sometimes when you switch the body of oil in a vehicle, whether it be thin to thick or vice versa. Not sure if he was talking bull on a Saturday Morning.

[Rainman]

Why did you change the body of oil as the first course of action? Did you check for seal leaks? Faulty pcv etc....?

[Biggs3ne]

The PCV is fine. I changed the plug seals in Jan when I saw my plugs well lubricated with oil. I also changed to a thicker body with the hope that it will not burn oil.

[Ted_v2]

Some oil have a "blow by point" <- lack of better word but when the oil reach a certain point it breaks down, thus need topping back up

im kinda unsure about this but its worth checking out

[Biggs3ne]

^^^^^^^Are you suggesting that I switch back to the 10W 30?

[idlemind]

What brand oil you using Biggs?
The car smoking?
May need to install some oil catch cans on the lines leading out of the rocker cover to the intake..
So what you saying is you changed oil to 20w50 a few months ago and that morning you checked the oil was at the low level?

Well depending on daily driving distance and how you drive it may mean you really burning it off.
Id suggest you check your oil at shorter intervals.

[Biggs3ne]

^^^The car is not smoking. I'm using Castrol (White Bottle). During the week my driving is from Curepe to St. Clair, then St. Clair to Carapichaima, Carapichaima back to Curepe, just St. clair to Curepe on or two days. I drive long distances over the weekend at times, not all the time though. Driving speed is like between 120-160 on the Highway depending on traffic.

When I checked it was on the low mark indeed Idle. I will check the oil first thing Saturday Morning and report the findings.

[Ted_v2]

^^^The car is not smoking. I'm using Castrol (White Bottle). During the week my driving is from Curepe to St. Clair, then St. Clair to Carapichaima, Carapichaima back to Curepe, just St. clair to Curepe on or two days. I drive long distances over the weekend at times, not all the time though. Driving speed is like between 120-160 on the Highway depending on traffic.

When I checked it was on the low mark indeed Idle. I will check the oil first thing Saturday Morning and report the findings.

Thats normal i think because i used to use about 1/4 quart to top up every 2 weeks more or less,using that same white bottle castrol

car used to run from siparia - Point lisas Hardd

[idlemind]

Yup im thinking its normal too..

btw Im using NP 15w40 and I get a longer run before it starts to burnoff.
And I say I drive hard..

I wouldnt put 20w50 in our engines...thickest il go is 15w40

[Biggs3ne]

^^^^I read a thread some time ago and tuners were discussing engine oil and there was an argument about NP being better than Castrol taking into consideration our Climate. What's your take on this?

[idlemind]

What I do know is Castrol GTX 20w50 is not recommended for our engines, its too thick.
Its suggested that 10w30 is recommended when the engine was newer but as it gets down in age 10w40 and 15w40 was suggested by CS drivers that tried and tested in the CS thread.

I used Mobil1 10w30, 15w50 and 5w50 in the GDI and was quick burn off,
Top up a quart every 1 to 2 weeks.

I went over to Amsoil after I converted to the 4G18
I first tried the 10w30, then the 10w40, then the 10w40 XL (extended life)
Burn off went to 1 month - 6 wks qt top ups.

Then I tried NP after it was recommended by my family who works there and a couple tuners who couldnt find anything work with NP

Its a myth in Trinidad that NP causes sludge build up, but Np has come a long way with R&D
I just tossed in a qt, 6wks after oil change to top up.
I have no complaints, and I push this car now that its manual.
Daily driving from Piarco to Chaguramas and the occasional Solodex.

In terms of pricing, Mobil1 went from $60-85 a qt., Amsoil $75 and Amsoil XL $55 a qt., NP $110 5 qts.

[Biggs3ne]

Ok well in that case I will not use the 20w 40 when I do my next oil change. I think that I will give NP a try and will let you know about the experience.

Thanks for all the feedback Idle.

[idlemind]

No problem Biggs.

I have difficulty getting NP 15w40 outside. Let me kno if you need me to get a gallon for you.

[Biggs3ne]

I plan to do my oil change in about 1 month's time, so I will definitely hit u up.

[Biggs3ne]

Checked the Oil Level this Morning and it was just a tad below the high level mark. Well I guess that's not too bad.

[idlemind]

Biggs consider installing an oil catch can on the 2 lines that exit the rocker cover. These lines are for recycling emissions and usually transfer oil as well which is bad. ESP for the one that runs to the intake and fowls up the throttle body.

[thatguy3832]

i don't topup and i making 85k just now i use Shell 5w40 and actually get my 10k oil lvl don't drop at all

[Biggs3ne]

My car crossed 220 on Saturday body, so my engine has seen a whole lot more action than yours and hence the reason for my demise.

Idle, I searched on Ebay and saw the oil catch cans for turbo engines. The ones I saw for the Lancer were for the 2000cc engine. Is there any where I can get this locally and at what cost?

[idlemind]

You'll have to pm w2j.

The eBay ones should work. Nothing special needed. Jus a container to catch the oil and allow air to flow.

[Biggs3ne]

Thanks man. Will do.