Ford Ecosport: Engine System - General Information / General Procedures - Oil Consumption Test
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Nearly all engines consume oil, which is essential for
normal lubrication of the cylinder bore walls and pistons and rings.
Determining the level of oil consumption may require testing by
recording how much oil is being added over a given set of miles.
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Customer driving habits greatly influence oil consumption.
Mileage accumulated during towing or heavy loading generates extra heat.
Frequent short trips, stop-and-go type traffic or extensive idling,
prevent the engine from reaching normal operating temperature. This
prevents component clearances from reaching specified operating ranges.
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The following diagnostic procedure may be utilized to
determine internal oil consumption. Make sure that the concern is
related to internal oil consumption, and not external leakage, which
also consumes oil. Verify there are no leaks before carrying out the
test. Once verified, the rate of internal oil consumption can be tested.
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A new engine may require extra oil in the early stages of
operation. Internal piston-to-bore clearances and sealing
characteristics improve as the engine breaks in. Engines are designed
for close tolerances and do not require break-in oils or additives. Use
the oil specified in the Owner's Literature. Ambient temperatures may
determine the oil viscosity specification. Verify that the correct oil
is being used for the vehicle in the geographic region in which it is
driven.
Basic Pre-check
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For persistent complaints of oil consumption, interview
the customer to determine the oil consumption characteristics. If
possible, determine the brand and grade of oil currently in the oil pan.
Look at the oil filter or oil-change station tags to determine if
Ford-recommended maintenance schedules have been followed. Make sure
that the oil has been changed at the specified mileage intervals. If
vehicle mileage is past the first recommended drain interval, the OEM
(original equipment manufacturer) production filter should have been
changed.
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Ask how the most current mileage was accumulated. That
is, determine whether the vehicle was driven under the following
conditions:
Visual Inspection Chart
Mechanical
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Extended idling or curbside engine operation
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Stop-and-go traffic or taxi operation
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Towing a trailer or vehicle loaded heavily
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Frequent short trips (engine not up to normal operating temperature)
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Excessive throttling or high engine-rpm driving
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Verify that there are no external leaks. If necessary, review the diagnostic procedure in this section.
For additional information, refer to: Oil Leak Inspection (303-00 Engine System - General Information, General Procedures).
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Inspect the crankcase ventilation system for:
Visual Inspection Chart
Mechanical
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disconnected hoses at the valve cover or TB.
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loose or missing valve cover fill cap.
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missing or incorrectly seated engine oil level indicator.
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incorrect or dirty PCV valve.
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a PCV valve grommet unseated in the valve cover (if so equipped).
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Inspect for signs of sludge. Sludge affects PCV
performance and can plug or restrict cylinder head drainback wells. It
can also increase oil pressure by restricting passages and reducing the
drainback capability of piston oil control rings. Sludge can result
from either excessive water ingestion in the crankcase or operation at
extremely high crankcase temperatures.
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Inspect the air filter for dirt, sludge or damage. A
hole in the filter element will allow unfiltered air to bypass into the
air induction system. This can cause premature internal wear (engine
dusting), allowing oil to escape past rings, pistons, valves and guides.
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If the engine is hot or was recently shut down, wait at
least 15-minutes to allow the oil to drain back. Ask the customer if
this requirement has been followed. Adding oil without this wait period
can cause an overfill condition, leading to excessive oil consumption
and foaming which may cause engine damage.
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Make sure the oil level indicator (dipstick) is
correctly and fully seated in the indicator tube. Remove the oil level
indicator and record the oil level.
Detailed Pre-checks
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Check the thermostat opening temperature to make sure
that the cooling system is operating at the specified temperature. If it
is low, internal engine parts are not running at specified internal
operating clearances.
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Verify the spark plugs are not oil saturated. Oil
leaking into one or more cylinders will appear as an oil soaked
condition on the plug. If a plug is saturated, a compression check may
be necessary at the conclusion of the oil consumption test.
Oil Consumption Test
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NOTE:
Once all of the previous conditions are met, carry out an oil consumption test.
Drain the engine oil and remove the oil filter. Install a
new manufacturer-specified oil filter. Make sure the vehicle is
positioned on a level surface. Refill the oil pan to a level one liter
(quart) less than the specified fill level, using manufacturer-specified
oil.
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Run the engine for 3 minutes (if hot) or 10 minutes (if
cold). Allow for a minimum 15 minute drainback period and then record
the oil level shown on the oil level indicator. Place a mark on the
backside of the oil level indicator noting the oil level location.
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Add the final one liter (quart) to complete the normal
oil fill. Restart the engine and allow it to idle for 2 minutes. Shut
the engine down.
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After a 15 minute drainback period, record the location
of the oil level again. Mark the oil level indicator with the new oil
level location. (Note: Both marks should be very close to the MIN-MAX
upper and lower limits or the upper and lower holes on the oil level
indicator. These marks will exactly measure the engine's use of oil,
with a one quart differential between the new marks.) Demonstrate to the
customer that the factory-calibrated marks on the oil level indicator
are where the oil should fall after an oil change with the specified
fill amount. Explain however, that this may vary slightly between
MIN-MAX or the upper and lower holes on the oil level indicator.
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Record the vehicle mileage.
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Advise the customer that oil level indicator readings
must be taken every 320 km (200 mi) or weekly, using the revised marks
as drawn. Remind the customer that the engine needs a minimum 15 minute
drainback for an accurate reading and that the oil level indicator must
be firmly seated in the tube prior to taking the reading.
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NOTE:
High performance vehicles can be driven in such a
way that may lead to higher engine oil consumption (this includes
extended time at higher engine speeds, high loads, engine braking, hard
cornering maneuvers, and track use). Under these conditions, oil
consumption of approximately 1 liter per 800 km (1 quart per 500 miles)
is possible.
When the subsequent indicator readings demonstrate a
full liter (quart) has been used, record the vehicle mileage. The
mileage driven should not be less than 4,800 km (3,000 mi) for regular
vehicles and 800 km (500 mi) for Ford Performance vehicles. The drive
cycle the vehicle has been operated under must be considered when making
this calculation. It may be necessary to have the customer bring the
vehicle in for a periodic oil level indicator reading to closely monitor
oil usage.
Post Checks, Evaluation and Corrective Action
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If test results indicate excessive oil consumption,
carry out a cylinder compression test. The cylinder compression test
should be carried out with a fully charged battery and all spark plugs
removed. See the Compression Test Chart in this section for pressure
range limits.
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Compression should be consistent across all cylinders.
If compression is within the specifications found in this section, the
excessive oil consumption may be due to wear on the valve guides, valves
or valve seals.
For additional information, refer to: Compression
and Cylinder Leakage Test (303-00 Engine System - General Information,
General Procedures).
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A cylinder leak detection test can be carried out using a
cylinder leakage detector. This can help identify valves, piston rings,
or worn valve guides/valve stems, inoperative valve stem seals or other
related areas as the source of oil consumption.
For additional
information, refer to: Compression and Cylinder Leakage Test (303-00
Engine System - General Information, General Procedures).
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NOTE:
An oil-soaked appearance on the porcelain tips of
the spark plugs also indicates excessive oil use. A typical engine with
normal oil consumption will exhibit a light tan to brown appearance. A
single or adjoining, multiple cylinder leak can be traced by viewing the
tips.
If an internal engine part is isolated as the root
cause, determine if the repair will exceed cost limits and proceed with a
repair strategy as required.
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Once corrective action to engine is complete and
verifying that all pre-check items were eliminated in the original
diagnosis, repeat the Oil Consumption Test as described above and verify
consumption results.
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature. Connect
the Vacuum/Pressure Tester to the intake manifold. Run the engine at the
specified idle speed...
NOTE:
If an overnight drive is done, the fan air or road air blast can cause erroneous readings.
NOTE:
When diagnosing engine oil leaks, the source and location of the leak must be positively identified prior to repair...
Other information:
Check
NOTE:
Refer to the appropriate Section 303-01 for the specification.
NOTE:
Valve guides tend to wear in an hourglass pattern.
The ball gauge can be inserted into the combustion chamber side of the
valve guide, if necessary...
Special Tool(s) /
General Equipment
Spring Compressor
Vise
Removal
NOTICE:
Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the
performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners
may result in major service expense...