Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum.
I bought my car used about 2 months ago and love it. It is a 2003 lapis blue cab with full aero kit. It now has about 13000 miles. It seems to be using a lot of oil. In the 1600 miles I've owned it I've added about 6 quarts. I noticed a spot on the garage floor under the engine one time and no more since(RMS?) What I also have noted is that I'm getting dark spots behind my left tail pipe(only the left). Like something(oil?) is being spit out. My dealer is documenting the oil use and will approach Porsche on what to do. My question is... has anyone else had this problem, what is it and what is the fix? I checked the history of the car and the only thing ever done was a battery.
Thanks for any input.
Neil

 

VERY high oil consumption. (I think Porsche spec is 1 quart to 1,000 miles is normal and not problematic until it exceeds 1qt to 600mi.)

I notice more consumption when higher RPM's are used before the engine reaches full temp, so be wary of that. But generally, mine uses about 1 quart per 3,000 miles.

Have someone follow you and see if you are smoking as you drive. A quart every gas fillup is pretty extreme. I might return it to the dealer for a more thorough check before it strands you.

Good luck. I know its not what you wanted to hear....

 

Out of curiosity... are you using the dipstick to check oil level or the electronic gauge? (i.e. how are you gauging consumption)

 

"...In the 1600 miles I've owned it I've added about 6 quarts."
Yes, that is exceptional high oil consumption unless you over fill the crankcase. All those oil had to go somewhere, you would think the dealer should be able to figure this one out easily!?
A small amount of "dark spots" on the bottom of the exhaust tips are quite normal but did you notice any smoking from your engine or any oil spots on the floor? e.g. The RMS can fail again...

 

The dealer is checking the oil usage. I believe he is using the electronic meter in the car. Wow, 1 quart in 3000 miles is a dream. But you say black spots behind the tail pipe are normal if you have too much oil in the case? When I start, I see a cloud but I don't notice this when I drive. If the black marks are normal then why only on one side? As far as Porsche and I know the RMS has not been done.

Thanks,
Neil

 

300 days of ownership today.
Having the oil changed and I'm at 11,000 miles.
Didn't 'use' a drop.

Why Me?

 

I thought the car was "suppose to" burn oil. That is the design. I don't understand. There are oil spots under the car's engine but not multiple quarts worth. Is all the oil I'm adding being burned up? Anyone? This can't be normal.
Neil

 

Yes, the engine was designed to burn some oil bc the cylinder rings and the valve stem seals needs lubrication or they just don't last.....
"There are oil spots under the car's engine but not multiple quarts worth..,"
yeah, but small leaks at low oil pressure (about 2K rpm when you enter the garage?) can turn into major one at high pressure when you are at 4Krpm & above.
May be you should try another dealer?

 

I would think that 6 qts in 1600 miles would really cover the underside with dripping oil, depending on how long did it took you to drive the 1600 miles ? If it is a short time and you suspect leaking, it would be all over the bottom of the engine, Now if it took you 8 months, that would be a different story. Like everyone else has said, that useage is too high.

 

I drove the 1600 miles in 2 months. Only small quarter size and very diluted looking spots under the engine. So no one else has ever experienced or heard of those drop marks behind the tail pipe? Maybe I have two problems.

Neil

 

If you are seeing a cloud when starting and the drops are coming out of the exhaust (looking diluted, I would guess it is actually condensating from exhaust vapor), it sounds like its being burned.
I would really insist the dealer perform a thorough inspection.