Just check the oil level on my 86 951 (93k miles). Was reading at the most distal bump on the dipstick. Oil was just changed 1200 miles ago (3mos.). Absolutely no oil on garage floor under car. I park in the exact same spot every time. How can this be? Where did the oil go?

Also: does anyone know what the dipstick marks mean (ie. halfway between marks = 1qt low? etc...)?


Thanks in advance.

 

Turbos consume oil especially if driven hard.

Factory spec is up to 1.5 liters every 620 miles.

Your car used about .6 liters in 620 miles so you are well within spec.

Half way between marks is about .625 quarts.

 

Check your coolant. If the coolant is clean, it's just consumption.

 

Thanks guys. Coolant is clean. I didn't realize that consumption was that high.

So just to dig into more details, where does the oil actually end up? I assume this is a thermal process so it is turned into a vapor?

 

The engine oil mist circulates in the AOS and returns to the sump, there is some normal oil loss in the process as some vapor is drawn through the intake (normal oil consumption). However if you think the loss is too much and you don't have any leaks you will probably find pools of oil in your j-boot, throttle and intake. That can be a sign of bad AOS seals or bad valve seals.