Will HPL PCMO help my oil consumption?

[Jetronic]

That was my first thought, checked and it wasn't.

I've seen similar rusty brown oil like that, in a diesel running high ester oils

 

[MrBaumTastic]

Can't hurt to try it. It can be tricky to identify the cause of oil consumption. Some engines consume oils that are lower in volatility, which is not what you'd expect. They're changing Noack for GF-7. Can also be the ring type and how the engine was broken in and just wear pattern in general. You may even just have to go up a grade or two.

Regarding that last bit, I was wanting to try a 40wt oil, I may do that with HPL. VRP doesn't have it, yet...

 

[We're Metals]

I've been running various grades of HPL pcmo in my 140,000 mile 2018 Subaru Forester FB25 manual transmission (a combo known for oil consumption even at very low mileage) for the past 60,000 miles.

Oil consumption appears to be increasing in time. Initially it was pretty consistent 1 quart per 6-7,000 miles at 80,000 miles. Now about 1 quart per 4,000 at 140,000 miles. Perhaps my engine would have benefitted most from using HPL sooner than 80,000 miles odometer. At first I was unsure if related to pcv system, but now after some time I believe it is rings as well. (Wear? Not much carbon in filters..) if consumption decreases I'll be sure to share.

I service many subarus and have seen a reduction in oil consumption by switching to HPL, up to a certain rate of consumption. It is possible my fb25 was just past the point it needed to be in that regard. Most notable has been a friends FB20 6mt crosstrek which was switched to HPL at 25,000 miles. It had consumed one quart per 7,000 from new and that dropped to .25 quart every 6,000 miles and has stayed at that rate ever since.

I would like to see how well a brand new engine holds up on HPL, where the odds could truly be in favor of the oil used.

Same results likely from any Group 3 Synthetic.

 

[DirectRejection]

I've been running various grades of HPL pcmo in my 140,000 mile 2018 Subaru Forester FB25 manual transmission (a combo known for oil consumption even at very low mileage) for the past 60,000 miles.

Oil consumption appears to be increasing in time. Initially it was pretty consistent 1 quart per 6-7,000 miles at 80,000 miles. Now about 1 quart per 4,000 at 140,000 miles. Perhaps my engine would have benefitted most from using HPL sooner than 80,000 miles odometer. At first I was unsure if related to pcv system, but now after some time I believe it is rings as well. (Wear? Not much carbon in filters..) if consumption decreases I'll be sure to share.

I service many subarus and have seen a reduction in oil consumption by switching to HPL, up to a certain rate of consumption. It is possible my fb25 was just past the point it needed to be in that regard. Most notable has been a friends FB20 6mt crosstrek which was switched to HPL at 25,000 miles. It had consumed one quart per 7,000 from new and that dropped to .25 quart every 6,000 miles and has stayed at that rate ever since.

I would like to see how well a brand new engine holds up on HPL, where the odds could truly be in favor of the oil used.

See my threads for a bit of "insight."

Lately, I am at 20k miles on the initial 30k mile OCI, supported in a large part by UOA data. There is no fluctuation in the slightest on the dipstick reading. The oil is still amber in color fwiw.

2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid. HPL PP PCMO 0W8 as per signature. Factory fill was changed out at 400 miles ! (Hi LSJ) My model involves great consistency in products used, and preventative maintenance.

You are onto that ring issue with your Subie. Maybe your engine would like Premium Plus, with a dab of high quality VII. Yeah it may be too late. Hopefully not. I will watch your results with great interest. Good luck.

 

[Astro14]

Same results likely from any Group 3 Synthetic.

To which result are you referring?

He talks about oil consumption increasing with age. He talks about the reduction in consumption by switching to HPL. Several possible “results” being discussed.

 

[MrBaumTastic]

See my threads for a bit of "insight."

Lately, I am at 20k miles on the initial 30k mile OCI, supported in a large part by UOA data. There is no fluctuation in the slightest on the dipstick reading. The oil is still amber in color fwiw.

2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid. HPL PP PCMO 0W8 as per signature. Factory fill was changed out at 400 miles ! (Hi LSJ) My model involves great consistency in products used, and preventative maintenance.

You are onto that ring issue with your Subie. Maybe your engine would like Premium Plus, with a dab of high quality VII. Yeah it may be too late. Hopefully not. I will watch your results with great interest. Good luck.

Cheesus, a 30k OCI? That's wild. My car will have 6 oil changes done and another 5 quart jug of top off oil between each. That's 60 quarts of oil at my consumption rate.

I think that's what bothers me about oil consumption, it just seems wasteful. Plus, it's more money I have to spend and a hassle, but I can handle the inconvenience always buying and adding oil between changes. Still though.

 

[mt23]

See my threads for a bit of "insight."

Lately, I am at 20k miles on the initial 30k mile OCI, supported in a large part by UOA data. There is no fluctuation in the slightest on the dipstick reading. The oil is still amber in color fwiw.

2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid. HPL PP PCMO 0W8 as per signature. Factory fill was changed out at 400 miles ! (Hi LSJ) My model involves great consistency in products used, and preventative maintenance.

You are onto that ring issue with your Subie. Maybe your engine would like Premium Plus, with a dab of high quality VII. Yeah it may be too late. Hopefully not. I will watch your results with great interest. Good luck.

I have enjoyed your series with the corolla cross and that engine comes to mind! Funny you mention the premium plus.. the least consumption has been on that. Most consumption so far on the 5w30.

 

[DirectRejection]

I have enjoyed your series with the corolla cross and that engine comes to mind! Funny you mention the premium plus.. the least consumption has been on that. Most consumption so far on the 5w30.

Nice. The wonders of judicious usage of viscosity index improvers.

What is your vehicle, and under what driving conditions ?

 

[mt23]

Nice. The wonders of judicious usage of viscosity index improvers.

What is your vehicle, and under what driving conditions ?

2018 Subaru Forester FB25 non turbo engine, 6 speed manual transmission. Full spectrum of driving conditions. The only driving it doesnt do yet is towing. I usually drive efficiently but with periods of full throttle, highway passing speeds, oil temps 240+, mountain passes, below zero and above 100 degree driving. Plenty of hills and engine braking. Usually all with a gentle warmup. Not many trips where the oil doesnt get to operating temp. The past few years it has seen a cross country trip each year which is when most of the oil use happens. Highway speeds sustained for long periods.

I'm not opposed to thin or thick grades. Maybe the 0w40 would be good for less consumption if VII helps it? One thing I've noticed is oil consumption tapers off after 10,000 miles on interval. It really is to benefit to run the oil as long as I can, it seems. This current fill of 5w30 being the exception so far. The 0w30 and 0w20 both had less consumption after 10,000 miles. The 0w30 required no top off.