"Normal" oil consumption

[D-17_Dave 12]

A little oil smoke on startup is normal, however good compretion and a warm engine will mask the amount of oil being [burnt] as it runs. If you think you have excesive useage and little to no leaks a possibility since you've noticed this since new is the rings may have walked around till the ring gaps are lined up. Doesn't happen very often but I did have it happen to me on an engine rebuild I did on a Briggs 8 hp. It went from perfect to heavy oil useage quikly. Only a teardown and reasembly solved it.Not shure if this is the problem but if it's been that long the rings should have seated.

[BillC 0]

I have a 2000 Sovereign powered by the Kohler Triad 18HP OHC engine, currently with 70 hours, which does not use any oil. Smoke does come out of the exhaust during initial start up which I think is unburned gas from using the choke to start, because it does last long. I have been changing oil and filter in spring, middle of summer and fall. I have been using synthetic oil (Valvoline because it is less expensive than Mobil 1) 10W30 for summer mowing and 5W30 for winter snowblowing and have always used the long Kohler oil filter, part no. 52 050 02. I have investigated using aftermaket oil filters due to the $8 cost of the Kohler filter, but all of them I have looked at have smaller oil holes than the Kohler filter. The Kohler oil filter also has an anti-drain back valve which retains oil in the filter after shutting off the engine by preventing the oil to drain back into the crankcase. If you look at the Kohler filter there is a diaphram just beneath the holes, that is the anti-drain back valve. I firmly believe in synthetic lubricants. For example, when my Sovereign was new, the bevel gear box made considerable noise. Also the new Sovereign's bevel gear cover does not have a drain plug (another Simplicity cost reduction idea) like the older Sovereigns do. So I installed a magnetic drain plug and refilled it with Mobil 1 75W90 gear lube and the noise was gone. Next up is to change the hydro trans fluid with synthetic in order to eliminate the whine when cold. If you are interested in installing a low oil pressure light see the "Do It Yourself" section. Boy did I get on a roll!

[SimpleMan 8]

I've often heard the term "normal oil consumption". Could anyone tell me what this means in regards to a "newer" (less than 200 hours) old engine. Specifically, I now have 175 hours on a 4 year old Kohler OHC...which still ( since it was new) uses oil. When I mention this to my dealer he always states that there is a standard for oil consumption...but no one has been able to tell me what it is. Second...related to this, for anyone who has one of these engines, what did you do to correct this problem if you had it. NOTE...my seals and gaskets are fine, I seem to be burning the oil everytime I start the engine, whether hot or cold. That is, it smokes a bit at startup, and then is fine. In my opinion..a newer engine should not use oil, but I may be wrong in this assumption. Thanks all...opinions are greatly appreciated. GordU

[PatRarick 1]

Several years ago,I was told at a service school that 2 ounces per WORKING hour, not including idling or leaks, is the maximum that should be accepted. Have nothing to back this up, though. I believe it was the instructor's personal opinion, but I have followed it anyway. Pat

[Roy 0]

My 1999 Sovereign with the Kohler THC-18 OHC engine uses a small amount of oil and the cam cover gaskets leak a small amount of oil. Like yours it smokes mostly upon start up. The oil consumption is not excessive so I don't worry about it. I think the oil is coming down the valve stems from poor/bad valve stem seals. I agree this should not happen but it's not worth the hassel to have the engine torn down to get it fixed (even under warranty) and risk something else getting screwed up. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil so weeping gaskets are fairly normal. Mobile 1 will seep through gaskets that standard oil will not. Just my thoughts on the subject. Roy

[StinKy 0]

My 20 hp. Onan smokes on start up also. I usually add a pint between changes. I change oil mid-summer but from July on my lawn growth really slows up so the hours dont add up that fast. Dick

[StinKy 0]

I am not sure but the enigne manufactures must have some idea as they include in there engine manuals "check oil" after every so many hours of use. Just some feed back. >>->happyjack<-<<

[Dutch 4]

Pat, I think 2 oz. per WORKING hour would be the MAXIMUM I'd feel comfortable with too. I'd be happier with something like 1 oz. On the other hand, I like an engine that uses (not leaks) a little oil. Seems it would lube upper cylinder wall.

[MPH 12]

BillC, glad to hear someone else running synthetic throughout. I don't have much choice up here but kinda been wondering about it..MPH

[dlcentral 1]

Using SAE 30 in summer and 10-W40 in winter reduces oil consumption to almost nill on my OLD stuff,,dont have info on newer OHV engs.A proper rebuild reduces oil usage too.Just putting in new rings ain't gonna help it.,,

[PatRarick 1]

I have been using synthetic oil "winter time only" for about 6 years now in 2 of my tractors with great results. I use Mobil 1 -5x30 in the winter and have not had any problems with using more oil then convention that I use in the summer time. The reason I use the synthetic oil in the winter is the engine gets almost instant luberication in the coldess weather and its so much easier on the other parts such as starter-belt for that matter anything that relates to the starting of an engine. If it is so good then some might ask why I only use it in the winter time. I have found that in the warmer weather from about 5o degree's on up it seems like the mulitgrades oil just don't do the same lube job as the straight 30w that I used in the warmer months. When I was into work for General Motors we did some testing on the sythentic oils and found after tearing some engines down with this type of oil after really abusing them they show very little wear if any at all compared to conventional motor oils. This is why you are starting to see more and more cars-trucks using this type of oil as it dones not break down with servere engine heat nor does it cause engine sluge. Using even a semi synthentic engine oil also is something that helps in the cold weather almost a split between the full synthentic oils and the conventional ones. With either synthentic or semi syn. oils you can mix conventional oils with them but I would keep it the same weight not mixing 30w with lets just say a 5w40 oil. Just my opinion from my personal experience. >>->happyjack<-<<

[MPH 12]

Don't recall the #'s but I heard one time the % of wear on starting an engine compared to when in use, it was amazingly high. Jack, did your GM testing include cold starts? I've known people to spin rod bears in the winter hear with regular oil, drive to work, park outside all day, try to go home and call for help.,,MPH

[SmilinSam 4,245]

My definition of "normal" oil consumption is the following: 1. Define if you have a serious engine problem. 2. Add oil as needed until you repair the problem or replace the engine.