Interesting new problem -- after 200 mile trip, I checked the oil, which had been changed 1 week prior, and discovered I was 1 quart low. After returning home, I brought it to the service station to see if I had sprung a leak, and they had to add an additional quart. Interestingly, there is no indication of a leak and there doesn't appear to be any smoke in the exhaust. Car has 100,000 miles and has never burned any oil, although it has had its fair share of other interesting problems.

Any ideas on what this problem could be?

Mine was sucking it up thru the hose that comes to the flame gard, I replaced the oil separator and the hose that comes up to the flame guard, both parts were nasty inside with dryed up oil. the statement bellow is from the manual. Not to bad of a job, had to remove the alternator to get to the oil separator.

"Oil Trap And Flame Guard, Separates oil from gases and therefore reduces oil consumption and emissions."
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1996 964 138,000 Miles

You must always check the engine cold. A word of warning, if you run the car overfilled you will blow out the rear main seal. Did that already....

Overfilling by itself shouldn't cause this.

If the crankcase is not ventilated properly, pressure can build and blow seals out. It is possible that overfilling the venting process was defeated, though I don't understand the process or what could have been restricted by the extra oil.

Thanks for all responses -- it appears I checked the oil level too soon after driving - then overfilled. Then mechanic made same mistake! We have drained excess, and everything appears ok. 200,000 miles, here we come

My '96 965 stopped "using oil" once I started checking the oil on a cold engine that sat over night.

Before that I was "using oil" as you are. I'd add 1/2 qt whenever I checked it hot, and it would still be 1/2 qt low the next day hot, and it didn't smoke or leak either. Clearly, it was burning what was over what it likes to consider "full."

Now, I check it cold and it "uses" no oil. BTW, I use Wally World full synthetic 10W30 (though they seem only to sell 5W30 now).

Bob

Is this really a new symptom? The only valid time to look for the oil to be up at the full mark is after sitting for several hours, like overnight. The manual says it will be down about half if a 5 minute wait is used. Mine will be down a full quart if I check it with no wait. (The engine has a lot of surface area between the head and pan to hold oil for a while.)
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 101K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

I'm with T.R.M. When I change the oil in my '95 960, even the 6 qts. doesn't bring to the full mark on the dipstick. Run it a bit longer after filling to the full mark, and then make your observation.

Are you really sure it was full after the oil change. These beasts take 6 quarts. Maybe they were thinking of another car.

What interesting problems?
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Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 70K mi, '96 965 >110Kmi Wifemobile near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu.