Should a rebuilt F4R engine (RS200) eating oil after run-in?

[Tony_HH]

I recently had a donor engine fitted. After installation, I completed a careful 600-mile run-in, keeping the revs under 3k. Following that, I drove another 1200 miles under normal conditions (never reach 6k revs)

Since then, the engine has consumed over 1 liter of oil within that 1200 miles. I topped it up just last week, and after only 350 miles, the oil level has already dropped by 2 out of 6 bars on the digital oil sensor.

Is it normal for a rebuilt F4R engine to burn this much oil, even after a proper run-in period? (Been to the garage, mechanic told me it is normal for the parts to eat some oil)

 

[RSRowe]

You need to keep how you're measuring the level consistent (i.e. using the dipstick)
All engines use oil but I would say 1 litre per 1200 is alot for an F4R though.

Fill it up to the top marker on the dipstick and keep your eye on it.

 

[Tony_HH]

You need to keep how you're measuring the level consistent (i.e. using the dipstick)
All engines use oil but I would say 1 litre per 1200 is alot for an F4R though.

Fill it up to the top marker on the dipstick and keep your eye on it.

Yes, I just checked the oil level using the dip stick, oil level definitely dropped

With regards to my previous post regarding oil discovered on the gearbox surface, filled 1.5L before heading to the garage last week, thermostat housing gasket was replaced, done 240 miles after that and oil is gone again

 

[Louis]

Was good talking to you the other day mate.

You need to find out what work was completed to the engine for it to warrant 'running in'. I feel they've just dropped an unknown engine without checking it over. I won't share the renault 'specialist' who has done this work.

 

[R3k1355]

Do you know if you're burning the oil or leaking it out? Have you pulled the spark plugs to check for fouling?

Maybe have a mate follow behind, if you're puffing out blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, you know the engine's got internal problems.

 

[Louis]

Do you know if you're burning the oil or leaking it out? Have you pulled the spark plugs to check for fouling?

Maybe have a mate follow behind, if you're puffing out blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, you know the engine's got internal problems.

I asked these questions.

Apparently it had no oil leaking down onto the undertray but also no visible blue smoke. No smell.

You'd expect 1.5litres to be pretty noticeable on a 'freshly built' engine.

For reference, my F4R on 168,000miles burnt around 1litre every 10k.

 

[Tony_HH]

Do you know if you're burning the oil or leaking it out? Have you pulled the spark plugs to check for fouling?

Maybe have a mate follow behind, if you're puffing out blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, you know the engine's got internal problems.

No blue smoke, no burning smell from the engine.

 

[Tony_HH]

Do you know if you're burning the oil or leaking it out? Have you pulled the spark plugs to check for fouling?

Maybe have a mate follow behind, if you're puffing out blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, you know the engine's got internal problems.

No sign of leakage or blue smoke, engine and undertray are all dry.

 

[Louis]

It's 100% burning it.

They give you an itemised bill?

 

[Tony_HH]

Was good talking to you the other day mate.

You need to find out what work was completed to the engine for it to warrant 'running in'. I feel they've just dropped an unknown engine without checking it over. I won't share the renault 'specialist' who has done this work.

Been asking for mileage and condition of the donor engine, nothing came back

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

RIP your cat if it still has one, with that much oil being used.

 

[Tony_HH]

It's 100% burning it.

They give you an itemised bill?

Yes, they did

 

[Louis]

Using 5W40 millers, right?

 

[Tony_HH]

Using 5W40 millers, right?

Yes, Millers 5w40 NT+

 

[Sheilas’ Wheels]

My 182’d van was burning oil at a rate of 1L per 1500 miles and that’s excessive.
Back of the van had loads of little black flecks over it. Yours got the same?? How sooty is the tailpipe?

Personally I’d be contacting the person/s you paid £3,800 to and put the ball in their court. But my spidey senses tell me they’ll fob you off.

 

[Tony_HH]

My 182’d van was burning oil at a rate of 1L per 1500 miles and that’s excessive.
Back of the van had loads of little black flecks over it. Yours got the same?? How sooty is the tailpipe?

Personally I’d be contacting the person/s you paid £3,800 to and put the ball in their court. But my spidey senses tell me they’ll fob you off.

Is that the black flecks as mentioned?

 

[Louis]

View attachment 1741840
Is that the black flecks as mentioned?

Yeah that's moist.

 

[Sheilas’ Wheels]

View attachment 1741840
Is that the black flecks as mentioned?

Wipe the back of the car down with some QD and a cloth.
Get it up to temp and do a few laps of the local dual carriageways, make sure you hit the limiter a few times. At least 30 mins of spirited driving.

When you get home, wipe a clean cloth along the back window (don’t want to damage the paint!) and I bet it will be covered in black dots.

But your exhaust looks very similar to my van.

Doesn’t look good. 😢

 

[Brigsy]

Oil comsumption is far too high If its been rebuilt, especially if standard pistons. Needs a leakoff test doing to confirm, but id assume ring/bore issues.

 

[Tony_HH]

Oil comsumption is far too high If its been rebuilt, especially if standard pistons. Needs a leakoff test doing to confirm, but id assume ring/bore issues.

I will keep an eye on the consumption and arrange the test to be done asap

 

[Tony_HH]

Yeah that's moist.

Does it mean those are engine oil?

 

[Louis]

Does it mean those are engine oil?

Looks to be!

 

[Louis]

Any reputable garage wouldn't just shrug this off and tell you it's normal.

Kind of expected from where you've been. Won't be a suprise to many either!

 

[Tony_HH]

Looks to be!

So I can assume there is a leak inside the engine / piston rings?

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

I think you’d be able to taste the oil if you were following behind.

 

[R3k1355]

So I can assume there is a leak inside the engine / piston rings?

Could be the block needed boring and they didn't bother/bother to check and rebuilt it anyway. Maybe they thought they'd get away with just a quick hone.
Maybe they didn't even bother with that and re-assembled the thing.

Does the itemised bill mention machine work?

 

[Tony_HH]

Could be the block needed boring and they didn't bother/bother to check and rebuilt it anyway. Maybe they thought they'd get away with just a quick hone.
Maybe they didn't even bother with that and re-assembled the thing.

Does the itemised bill mention machine work?

Yes, it mentioned machine work

 

[Louis]

Yes, it mentioned machine work

Post the full itemised bill. Leave the dealer out if you want.

I think you should name and shame them though!

 

[Flob]

Fully agree with all of the above - thats excessive oil use, the Renault service manual will likely give a figure for acceptable oil use which you can show to them.

If you think you're unlikely to get your money back I would personally take it to another (good) garage, get them to perform a leak down test/diagnostics, pay for a written condition report and then head to the small claims court.

 

[Tony_HH]

Post the full itemised bill. Leave the dealer out if you want.

I think you should name and shame them though!

Then everyone will know who the specialist is🤔

 

[Louis]

Then everyone will know who the specialist is🤔

Don't post their name, just crop out the engine bill

 

[Tony_HH]

Itemised bill:

 

[Adamm.]

I know who it is from that bill I think. Gives me flash backs but I won't say anymore. It's pretty obvious at this point mind 🤐😞

 

[Adamm.]

If you speak to them and explain I think they will be willing to help my only concern is the incompetence in the first place that lead to the current situation. End of the day though with the money you already spent you either need some back and go elsewhere or get them to rectify it. If you can go with the first option I would tbh.

 

[Tony_HH]

If you speak to them and explain I think they will be willing to help my only concern is the incompetence in the first place that lead to the current situation. End of the day though with the money you already spent you either need some back and go elsewhere or get them to rectify it. If you can go with the first option I would tbh.

I have explained and bought the car to them last week, only potential oil leak was from the thermostat housing, gasket was replaced and no other signs of leakage. I am told the car is fine, just need to keep an eye on the oil consumption

 

[Matt Cup]

I have explained and bought the car to them last week, only potential oil leak was from the thermostat housing, gasket was replaced and no other signs of leakage. I am told the car is fine, just need to keep an eye on the oil consumption

You have done though and it’s by all accounts it’s excessive isn’t it? So surely they need to dig into it a bit further.

 

[Tony_HH]

You have done though and it’s by all accounts it’s excessive isn’t it? So surely they need to dig into it a bit further.

Surely they should. Tbh, work a 9 to 5 job and 4-hour round trip to the garage, it’s really frustrating

 

[Filters]

I don't understand how, from the itemised bill - that it's missing an oil pump, water pump and more that you'd expect to be on there, nor does it add up that it's £1620 more than a rebuilt lump from Engine Dynamics.

If it's chugging 1L of oil post rebuild in just 1200 miles, I'd be going back and insisting they fund a proper rebuild elsewhere.
No freshly built engine should be using that much oil. Ever.

For what you paid, I'd be kicking off.

 

[Adey.]

I know who it is from that bill I think. Gives me flash backs but I won't say anymore. It's pretty obvious at this point mind 🤐😞

Oh dear... another

 

[Tony_HH]

Oh dear... another

It seems there are many 😰