Engine oil top up: Is it normal to add about a litre every 3000-4000 miles?

[AlunandFelicie]

When we bought our van the previous owners said we should top up the oil with about a litre every 3000-4000 miles ,would that be normal for a five year old Ducato?

 

[SpeedyDux]

Yep, it’ll either be burning oil or it has a leak but it’s most likely to be the former. Most engines burn some oil but it’s immeasurable on many.


We had a VW like that and, sure enough, after checking the owner’s manual it said it could be a litre/1000 miles.



As above.


Must be a VW group issue.

Ian

None of my VWs, a golf Mk2, and T4 2.5 tdi camper ever needed topping up between services.

Nor does my 2017 2.3 Euro6 Ducato.

I must be lucky.

 

[PP Bear]

can you explain why ..what do you mean by "older"

reason I ask, I get conflicting advice about what oil to use in my 2003 Ducato 2.8JTD

either 5w/40 fully synth .. or 10w40 semi synth

Last time I bought from Motor Parts Direct, who checked and said 10w/40 semi synth

Euro car parts say it can use either ..

Opie Oils say 5w/30

Been running my 2006 2.8JTD on Mobil 1 for the past 10 years. Never needed to add any oil between services and I swear by it. Goes in my 2006 SAAB 1.9 TiD and that doesn’t use any between services either.

 

[gus-lopez]

In my manual it says the maximum oil consumption is usually 400g every 1,000km.

No idea what 400g equates to in litres.

About half a litre

 

[the1andonly]

can you explain why ..what do you mean by "older"

reason I ask, I get conflicting advice about what oil to use in my 2003 Ducato 2.8JTD

either 5w/40 fully synth .. or 10w40 semi synth

Last time I bought from Motor Parts Direct, who checked and said 10w/40 semi synth

Euro car parts say it can use either ..

Opie Oils say 5w/30

"older" means pre 1990. Early ester based synthetics were reputed to degrade seals on engines designed for dino oil, however oil and seal tecnology has moved on. Modern synthetics should be ok on older engines eg MGB (new additives are designed to be more universal and more specific (if that doesnt sound contradictory), but is MOBIL 1 a modern synthetic?