Hey guys. I've been having oil consumption issues with my '09 Pontiac Vibe 2az fe engine. I know the piston rings are the main culprit, but I was wondering if I could be losing oil some other way as well. I've started checking the oil level before bed, about 2 hours after the car is off. I check it again in the morning and it's always noticeably lower. I've also noticed the spark plugs have a brown stain half an inch up all around the top white insulator part. Any ideas on why this is or how to mitigate oil consumption other than through blowby would be appreciated as always!
Oil level lower in the morning
- Thread starter Jonas
- Start date
Most likely the meniscus on the dip stick has withdrawn somewhat as temperature and possibly pressure changes. Fluid levels are subject to that to a degree. Difficult to believe it would be much in an oil sump but it can happen for sure.
is this the 2.4L ?
Just googled, i guess the 2.4 in my 2009 Saturn is totally different than the 2.4 in your 09 Pontiac.......
That used to happen on my first car too. I eventually learned to only check the oil level when it was fully warm and had been sitting for a few minutes. The apparent oil level on some cars (maybe most cars) moves up and down depending on several factors - recent running, and warm or cold engine at a minimum.
I suppose you could pick a different set of conditions too (cold, before first start of the day) but then only check it under those conditions.
IMO it doesn't matter if the level is changing depending on oil temperature. More important is to check and to not fall below the add mark. Checking on a hot engine after only 5 minutes of sitting might lead to a slight overfill, as opposed to a dead cold engine, but I don't think that matters. Just pick a method and live with it--after all, if it's using oil then all it needs to do is stay between the marks.
The oil stain on the plugs may indicate a need for new spark plug tube gaskets. That won't cause oil burning but they may cause a misfire at some point.
The oil stain on the plugs may indicate a need for new spark plug tube gaskets. That won't cause oil burning but they may cause a misfire at some point.
Yes, it's the Toyota 2az fe engine
That makes sense. The spark plug tube gaskets are integrated into the valve cover gasket on this car. (all one piece) The guy I bought it from said he had the valve cover gasket replaced, but it's very possible they didn't install it correctly. It has to be perfectly clean and torqued properly for it to seal.
I always check the oil level in my cars in the morning after the oil has had all night to drain into the pan. I just feel that's a more accurate way of checking it. Sometimes when I've tried to check it after a fill up with gas I can't get an accurate reading because there will be oil running down the dipstick.
ahh oil expands when hot as such will be higher on stick then cold in the morning.
just like tires will show high air pressure hot after a drive than cold in the morning
just like tires will show high air pressure hot after a drive than cold in the morning
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That should be a fun car with the added power of the 2.4 versus the standard 1.8 engine. Maybe try some Cataclean, new oem pcv valve or clean real well and Valvoline ML red 5/10w30.
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