Oil Consumption
 

Hello All,

I have a 2006 X5 4.4 with 106,000 miles one it. My car seems to be burning oil at a rapid rate. I have topped up the oil a couple of times to check the frequency at which the check oil level indicator comes on. And the oil consumption is averaging about 2000 miles for 8 quarts.

I took it to an independent auto shop and they checked for leaks and did not find any.


I had the spark plugs and coils at about 100K miles and Crankcase Ventilation Vent PCV Valves as well.


Would you guys know what could be the possible reason for this. Would appreciate it if you share your experience or guide me to where I can find some more info.

I did look through the threads but I wasn't able to find much more information than changing the CV valves like above.

thanks in advance

For clarification, you are adding 8 quarts every 2000 miles?

yes, that is correct I fill up everytime the check engine level indicator comes on.

Using a quart every 250 miles, I can't imagine there aren't very obvious symptoms--smoke, oil leak, not running properly, oil in the coolant etc.

^ What he said. There has to be something, using that much oil in that period. There will be indications, you just need to find them.

Example - valve stem seals will lead to smoke when you rev the vehicle after it has been idling for a couple of minutes. Am sure the 4.4 specialists will chime in with other symptoms to look for which are common on that engine.

I can't imagine you don't have blue smoke if you don't have any visible oil leaks. I think they call them valve stem seals, a common issue on the facelift V8s. Research it a bit, you'll find plenty.

If your engine is really burning that oil there is no way your nose can miss it!

My engine was in a similar situation and it was leaking from everywhere and the all the bottom of the engine was dripping oil!

Also as an engineer point of view, if your car is using that much oil you should stop using it until you clear the problem, if the oil that much is going in the engine you will have catalyst, O2 sensor problems etc.

Regards

You're probably overfilled and that can damage the engine. Do you have a dipstick?? If not, I'd do a drain & fill to verify.

You should be leaving tracks like a snail leaves tracks if you are using 8 quarts in 2000 miles. That's a quart every 250 miles. More than a quart of oil per tank of gasoline.