4afe "makan" engine oil really quickly

[jfjohn]

Hi fellow ZTHians,

Need some help here.

I drive the ae101 (21year old car) with stock 4afe engine. It was the family car before being passed over to me. In my hand, I bring the car for service/engine oil change every 5000km/every 3 months.

So the problem is: the engine oil level will drop till almost empty before 5000km service interval (less than 3 months). Have tried using different oil rating but still the same problem and recently realised the problem is worsening. Last time still can go about 4000km before the oil level starts dropping, now about 3000km already less than half left.

Have asked the mechanic i usually go to, and he suggests to send it for a full overhaul and quoted me a price of about RM4k+, saying it will include changing all the seals, ring and rebore (or something like that). 4k is a very heavy sum for me cos i'm still a student.

Should I go ahead with the full overhaul?
What is the normal price range for this kind of overhaul?
Any second opinions on how to fix the problem?

Please and thank you very much!

 

[jerrysiow]

Try to use thicker oil such as 15w40. What weight of oil you using currently?

 

[ken yeang]

Is your car emitting black smoke eccessively? If so, you might be burning the engine oil thus explain the makan engine oil....

 

[jfjohn]

Try to use thicker oil such as 15w40. What weight of oil you using currently?

Jerry.. hmm.. will try during next service then.. now is 10w40..

Is your car emitting black smoke eccessively? If so, you might be burning the engine oil thus explain the makan engine oil....

ken.. no black smoke wor..

 

[Izso]

Any smoke at all coming from your exhaust? (not including the mornings)

 

[jfjohn]

Any smoke at all coming from your exhaust? (not including the mornings)

Izso.. Nope.. clear only..

 

[Izso]

Izso.. Nope.. clear only..

Then you might have a leakage. Clean your engine bay squeeky clean one of these days, then over the next few days monitor your engine bay and underneath for oil leaks. It might just be a faulty gasket or oil seal.

 

[jfjohn]

Then you might have a leakage. Clean your engine bay squeeky clean one of these days, then over the next few days monitor your engine bay and underneath for oil leaks. It might just be a faulty gasket or oil seal.

Izso.. Previously the mechanic went under to check before but said got ntg.. but anyhow, i'd give it a try... hahah..

 

[ken yeang]

As suggested by Izso, put newspaper under car engine ....see if there are oil stain on the paper.

Is there any fouling on the spark plugs? Smell of oil?

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

No white smoke then cannot be piston ring worn. :hmmmm:

RM4K save up for 4AGE transplant better then.

 

[DanzEterna]

if full overhaul required, get the overhaul kit yourself & just pay the foreman for labour charges only.
try thicker viscosity oil @ mineral oil.

 

[menteafa]

get a new car la...car nowsaday with better performance and also less fuel efficiency

 

[jerrysiow]

get a new car la...car nowsaday with better performance and also less fuel efficiency

Dude, please read TS post. He is a student currently and this ride is his family pass to him. The cost of the overhaul is killing him now and you're asking him to pay more amount to get a new car.

He try to get the cheapest way to get his car fix.

 

[jfjohn]

As suggested by Izso, put newspaper under car engine ....see if there are oil stain on the paper.

Is there any fouling on the spark plugs? Smell of oil?

Ken.. Will try on the oil stain.. Fouling of spark plugs means? sorry, not very clear on some terms.. no smell of unburnt petrol/burning smell..

No white smoke then cannot be piston ring worn. :hmmmm:

RM4K save up for 4AGE transplant better then.

Supra... Hahaha.. tempting but budget limit..

if full overhaul required, get the overhaul kit yourself & just pay the foreman for labour charges only.
try thicker viscosity oil @ mineral oil.

Danz.. mind i know where can get the full overhaul kit? will try the thicker oil on next oil change then see how..

get a new car la...car nowsaday with better performance and also less fuel efficiency

menteafa.. if i can afford a new car, i wont be having headache with this problem edi.. unless you're offering to buy me one? i'll be super thankful :proud:

 

[Izso]

Ken.. Will try on the oil stain.. Fouling of spark plugs means? sorry, not very clear on some terms.. no smell of unburnt petrol/burning smell..

Fouling as in mucking up the spark plugs. Overly burnt or wet plugs = problem with the spark plug = fouling.

One of the best ways to save money is to learn to do it yourself. If you have the budget spend some money on a good ratchet set with all the size sockets. Then go ACE and buy the spark plug socket (find out what size your plugs are first. Google!) and get a long ratchet extension. Removing the spark plugs is dirt easy and a great way to get started with DIY.

 

[DanzEterna]

Ken.. Will try on the oil stain.. Fouling of spark plugs means? sorry, not very clear on some terms.. no smell of unburnt petrol/burning smell..



Supra... Hahaha.. tempting but budget limit..



Danz.. mind i know where can get the full overhaul kit? will try the thicker oil on next oil change then see how..



menteafa.. if i can afford a new car, i wont be having headache with this problem edi.. unless you're offering to buy me one? i'll be super thankful :proud:

spare part shop will have the overhaul kit for your car, but make sure u mention your correct engine model & code, make sure they write the correct part # & model on the receipt, if any part that unable to fit can be returned.

 

[ixeo]

Have asked the mechanic i usually go to, and he suggests to send it for a full overhaul and quoted me a price of about RM4k+, saying it will include changing all the seals, ring and rebore (or something like that). 4k is a very heavy sum for me cos i'm still a student.

1. First and foremost, change mechanic.

2. Use a different engine oil, you can try fully synthetic sold at Tesco or Giant at RM99, they do offer from time to time.

3. Inspect the engine bay and look for signs of oil leakage. If your engine bay is all black and sooty, then wash it -- don't spray water on it, use a brush (if you want to save money, get a used toothbrush) with degreaser and gently pour water on a cool engine and wash it top and underneath, this way you can actually SEE if there is any leaks on a clean engine.

4. RM4k to overhaul? Don't waste your money. Save your CASH, buy a Used Proton Savvy Manual for RM7k.

 

[^pomen_GTR^]

do compression test...

mostlikely just need valve seal replacement

 

[twistedichc]

Fouling as in mucking up the spark plugs. Overly burnt or wet plugs = problem with the spark plug = fouling.

One of the best ways to save money is to learn to do it yourself. If you have the budget spend some money on a good ratchet set with all the size sockets. Then go ACE and buy the spark plug socket (find out what size your plugs are first. Google!) and get a long ratchet extension. Removing the spark plugs is dirt easy and a great way to get started with DIY.

my first d.i.y for my car is the air filter, than the spark plugs

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

my first d.i.y for my car is the air filter, than the spark plugs

Just have to tool set kit then every DIY will slowly be easier.
My first DIY, same, air filter but is easy lol. 2nd one is car wash, then rims cleaning, then plastidip.