Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

I'm having a problem with my 214 SEi, i don't know if is burning oil or if it has some oil leak.

I refilled the oil to the max level when it was 104800km (about 1 liter) and 1000km later the oil is at the min level, about 0,5 liter.

I can't see no blue smoke from the exhaust, the water level is perfect, the car runs perfect, the gasoline consumption is normal.


Can someone tell me where are the most common places for a oil leak to make a quick check?

Thank you and sorry for my bad english

Make sure that you are measuring and filling the car on a level surface as they are quite sensitive to any slope they are on.

From memory maximum to minimum on the dipstick is 1 litre, so if the measurements are correct then it is using too much oil.

The usual leak points are the cam cover gasket (usually easy to spot), or the headgasket (again easy enough to spot usually).
Also check the sump gasket isn't leaking, although this'll usually leave drips on the drive where it is parked overnight.

Thank you. Yes i see the level and refill on my garage. It's leveled.

When i put some oil the level was at the end of the dipstick (looks like a ball), from there to the max level was 1 liter. Half way those two is the min level.

I'm going to check all of those places. I think it should make some blue smoke when it burns so much oil. I hope it's nothing serious

over 1000 miles im losing around a quart, i think.... I think my trouble is the erm piston rings?

Clawjaw wrote:over 1000 miles im losing around a quart, i think.... I think my trouble is the erm piston rings?

But in that case jug13 would see blue smoke from exauhst pipe...

I think the problem is a leaking from a gasket or oil filter/sump screw badly tighten.

I dont see blue smoke from mine. My smoke is white.

Form experience with old BMC and Rover stuff: If the car looses some amount of oil anywhere close to this figure through leaks, there must be massive stains on the floor! (and obviousl traces down the engine)

So I reckon some oil will be burned. At this level of consumption you'll hardly ever see blue smoke. Our 216, which burns about 0.3 litres per 100 (!!) km, does not smoke constantly - yet it can be made to smoke on the overrun or using high rpm. If you see heavy smoke on the overrun it is likely to be one or more valve stem seals or a faulty engine breather. If there is never any smoke (or hardly ever), be prepared for the oil getting passed the piston rings.

The kind and make of oil used can also make an impact: When In switched the 216 to fully synthetic consumption roughly halved after some use - so probably it removed some of the deposits making the rings stick.

Regards,

Alexander

The previous owner used 15w40 oil (BP Visco 3000) and in the last service it was used 10w40 oil (Shell Helix Plus).

It also has one or various hydraulics tappets making some noise.

If the piston rings are damaged, i can see it when measuring the compression right?


Now it has another problem, sometimes it fails with low rpm. I don't know if i have some problem with the spark plugs, the spark plug wires or even the distributer, or if it has something to do with the oil consumption.


I think this friday i'll leave it at the mechanic to make a full check.


Thank you for your great help! ;)