Are you guys having an oil issue?

nipper

nipper

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Joined
Nov 2, 2008
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482
Location
Oceanside, New York, USA
In North America, our new H4 engines use 0-20w oil. We are seeing a oil consumption problem of 1qt every 1200 miles after break in.

Are you guys seeing the same thing?
What Oil is recomended in Aus?
DO you guys have an EPA/MPG agency like North America does and a rating?
 
My dad's 2008 EJ204 powered Impreza was rated for either 0w-20 or 5W-30 - we always ran 5W-30 Castrol Edge fully synthetic and it never used/leaked ANY oil between changes, even with 140,000km.
My 2003 model EJ251 Forester leaks a bit of oil but doesn't burn any.

It's concerning that your engine is burning oil especially at that low mileage - if I were you I'd be running 5W-30 fully synthetic as 0W-30 seems excessively lightweight. The fuel economy might decrease by a minute amount, is all that would occur with 5w-30. Make sure it's fully synthetic, I never had issues with Castrol Edge Sport!
 
Gidday Nipper

nipper said:
In North America, our new H4 engines use 0-20w oil. We are seeing a oil consumption problem of 1qt every 1200 miles after break in.

Are you guys seeing the same thing?
What Oil is recomended in Aus?
DO you guys have an EPA/MPG agency like North America does and a rating?
Click to expand...

It's a warranty item. The oil's too thin (IMAO), and the FB engine has a problem ...

I run Shell Helix Ultra FS 5W-40 in our SG and SH Foresters - recommended is 0W-20 FS. Both have EJ-253 engines. Neither use any oil between changes (12,000 km intervals) ...
 
I tun 5w40 fully synthetic in my SF. The rebuilt ej251 has 25,000km on the clock. Burns a small portion of oil between services. I always check it every few weeks to be on the safe side.
 
That's a bit overstated. A percentage of all H4s have this sort of oil consumption but not the majority. Apparently it affected some H6s as well.

The issue seems to stem from doing whatever not to get more miles per gallon and lower the emissions. Or so some claim.
 
It is not my car (odd im not getting email alerts). It is just a pattern we are seeing in the US.

My 2005 with a rebuilt engine, once the rings broke in it stopped burning oil.
 
Ha very topical. My wife's SH Forester is undergoing an oil consumption test with Subaru due to excessive oil use.
The test is conducted between services and the oil is drained, measured refilled and topped up. Two tests have been conducted so far. The total Kms travelled for the test so far is just over 4,000 km and the oil use is 2.15 ltrs.
Given the sump holds 4 ltrs and the service interval is 12,000 km it is concerning. There are three more tests (drain, measure & refill) then Subaru Australia will be provided the results. What happens then don't know. There is no charge for the testing.
I have also mentioned before that Subaru use 0w 20 FS oil which is way too light.
For the record my 2004 Forester does not use any oil and has done 165,000 km whilst my 2002 uses some oil at 205,000 km.
 
I assume your wife's Foz is still under warranty. If so I would suggest she will get a new block/pistons/rings. When this happens get a loaner for the inconvenience. Deal with Subaru head office and if they don't play ball contact Consumer Affairs as your vehicle is not fit for purpose (can't reach it's service interval without running out of oil). Good luck. Lots of info on 2.5 oil burners on www.subaruoutback.org
 
I'd feel very p****d off if I bought a new car now that used oil. My ex 1997 V6 Camry still doesn't use any after close to 400,000km and my 2007 XT Forester has only started using a small amount that doesn't need topping up between services at 278,000km and my 2013 Golf doesn't use any at only 72,000km.

I still wouldn't like to condemn Subaru for specifying 0w-20 oil when other manufacturers are doing it and the majority of their cars aren't having oil usage problems using it. Surely that means it's the individual engines problem rather than the oil being used.
 
Nipper, what year are you talking about? As those articles mention, its not just a Subaru that has these issues. I think part of the reason for moving to 0W20 oil is to artificially improve economy. 5W30 might be the answer but be careful this doesnt void the warranty on a new car.

RB, I thought the SH has the EJ254?
 
Gidday NL

Nah, mate. SH 2008-2010 uses EJ-253. After that, FB-25 ...
 
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