Oil consumption
Using oil between services? Find leaks vs burning, and what ‘normal’ looks like for your engine.
MED RISK
Common symptoms
- Oil level drops between checks
- Blue smoke on overrun
- Oily intake pipes
- Oil smell after driving
Cost expectations
DIY: £0–£60. Garage: £120–£600+.
Note: prices vary by car and region. Use this as a planning range.
Most likely causes (ranked)
- External leaks — Rocker cover, sump, turbo feed/return, seals.
- PCV system fault — Pulls oil mist into intake.
- Turbo oil seal wear — Oil in intercooler/pipes; smoke under boost.
- Worn rings/valve seals — Burns oil; blue smoke.
- Wrong oil spec — Too thin/incorrect can increase usage.
Quick checks (fast, low-cost)
- Check for wet oil around engine/undertray after a drive.
- Inspect intake piping/intercooler for oil pooling.
- Check PCV valve/hoses for blockage or failure.
- Observe smoke patterns: on start, overrun, under boost.
- Compression test if consumption is severe and persistent.
Recommended tools
These tools make diagnosis faster and stop you buying random parts.
Related fixes
If your symptoms don’t match perfectly, check these next.
What to do next
- Fix external leaks first (cheap).
- If smoke is blue, investigate PCV/turbo/rings.
- Keep oil topped up to prevent engine damage.
AutoSolveHub helps you narrow possibilities. Always confirm critical repairs with proper testing and safe procedures.