Oil use

I've driven less than 500 miles on a CB Performance engine that has less than 4000 miles on it and used a quart of oil. Im aware that air cooled engines use a bit more oil, but a quart in 450 miles seems exsessive. There is no leak, no blue smoke when I start it up, or when I'm driving. I've suggested rings that may not have seated to Pat Downs the builder of the engine, he does not think that's the problem. Any suggestions. Thanks for your time, Karl Dempwolf

It shouldn't be using that much oil; is the engine leaking at the flywheel seal? You should see oil dripping in the area between engine and tranny; if not why not get back to Pat & pick his brain? He's one of the best.

No Leaks, no drips! KD

Have you checked your plugs? With 4,000 miles they should be burning pretty clean.

Jim
CB2110 Owner.

If nothing's leaking and there's little or no smoke, try a little test. If that's the break-in oil, it's time to get rid of it anyway.

Run the engine up operating temp, pull the plate and drain the oil. Pull the valve covers and wipe them out. Rotate the motor by hand a bit; just to empty the pump.

Replace everything, new gaskets and crush washers and all. Set the car down on level ground. Look at the dip stick, wipe it and come back once the motor's cooled and check the dip stick once again.

Engine emply? Great, NOW refill it with the correct oil for your needs, what ever you you like. Let the engine come back up to temp, cool back down and check it again. Remember that level.

NOW run the car for a couple or three weeks and check it again. I betcha that you're not so much burning or loosing oil, as you checked it at different times with the engine at different temps and MAYBE on varied surfaces.

A LOT of oil can hide in the VW case, in the push rod tubes, the rocker covers, in the cooler, and the pump housing. That, and the dip stick is not centered in the case either, so a tiny tip in any direction can give a false reading.

Just a suggestion, maybe?

Luck,

TC

Me thinks TC is right. You probably aren't sure exactly where you
started (everyone is human). If you have no leaks, no smoke=no problem.