2004 Subaru Forester XT Using Excessive Oil

[Oscar]

Hi,

I purchased an 04 Subi Forester XT in Nov 03. I did my first oil
change at 2900 miles and the crank case was down about 2 qts. The
guys at the oil change place suggested I contact Subaru immediately
because they felt it was a severe problem. I decided to confirm that
the crankcase was in fact full, so I started monitoring the oil usage
after the first oil change.

I just did my 2nd oil change (2,300 miles later) and the crankcase was
down by 1 1/2 qts. I've contact subaru and they claim that oil usage
is normal; however, this appears to be excessive. My gut tells me
that I have a serious engine problem...

I would appreciate input from others with a 04 Forester XT or with
turbo engines and oil consumption.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jiz]

that does sound suspicious....

If you drive car really aggressive, then maybe not - did car wear in
properly?

Sounds like it didn't....

 

[Edward Hayes]

My gut feeling is YES: you have a problem. First check carefully for leaks
and then contact Subaru. This is not normal. eddie

 

[Fred Flintstone]

I purchased an 04 Subi Forester XT in Nov 03. I did my first oil

change at 2900 miles

Why? Your piston rings haven't seated properly and changing the oil early
may not have helped. Did you follow the break-in instructions at all?

 

[Oscar]

Fred,

I appreciate the response. My owner's manual suggests varying the
speed during the initial 1,000 miles which is what I did. The dealer
suggested an Oil Change at 3,000 miles--again, what I did. Are there
other break-in instructions that you are aware of that are not
included in the 04 owner's manual?

Thanks.
Oscar.

 

[Julian Serles]

Oscar,

The dealer-suggested oil change doesn't follow the SOA Maintenance Schedule. Motor oil from
the factory often contains additives to help with break-in.

That said, your oil is obviously going somewhere. However, SOA specs something on the order
of 1 quart every 1000 miles as "normal." My '00 RS 2.5L went through a period after about
20K miles where it started using more oil than before. This, at 70K miles, has tapered off.

In short, Subes are known to use oil. Generally you'll have a hard time trying to convince
your dealer it is not normal. It isn't, but they told me the clutch chatter I experience was
"normal" a couple years ago.

Julian

 

[2 Stroke]

My 03 WRX used about 2/3 as much oil as you describe during break-in.
Oil consumption declined steadily over the next ~5,000 miles. I
change mine every 4-5,000 w/ Mobil 1, and now, at 22,000 miles, I
usually add about a quart between changes, in one pint increments. If
I drive gently, I use almost none. If I go out for a day of hard
driving, where I'm on the boost at high RPM alot, I always find the
level low at the end of the day.

Highway cruising at 75 mph on cruise control uses no oil now. Oil
consumption in stop and go traffic seems totally dependant on my right
foot.

Check it often.

Hope this helps.
Steve

============================================================

 

[2 Stroke]

One other point to make:

If you check the oil immediately after shutoff, much of the oil will
not have drained back into the crankcase. I check mine after it's
been sitting overnight. The difference can be almost a quart.

 

[Mohawk Jake]

My '02 WRX doesn't consume oil and it didn't consume oil during break in.
Did you check for leaks? Have the entire underside of the car examined with
bright light.
Have a friend follow you and check for puffs of smoke (light blue) as you
lift the throttle, or coast down a hill. That indicates consumption.
Yes, some manufacturers or dealers will say that a quart per 1500 miles is
"normal". With today's assembly technology and tolerances that should not be
the case!
In any case, you should keep complaining under warranty and get your case
recorded.
If you can't get any satisfaction from them and don't live in a frigid
climate, try using a higher viscosity oil i.e. a good 10W30 instead of the
recommended 5W30. See if it helps. It won't hurt. A coworker of mine runs
only 10W30 in his WRX.
Best of luck.