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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2535.0. "Fiesta with a oil drinking problem" by CHEFS::ALLAN (Lady Golfers Have More Drive) Thu Jul 25 1996 20:53

    Anyone heard of the new shape Fiesta (not the very new), drinking a
    fair bit of oil.
    
    I bought a second hand K reg at the end of May and though not checked
    by the RAC it was thoroughly looked at by a friend who used to work as
    a car mechanic.
    
    After a couple of weeks I checked the oil, because the light kept coming
    on when braking, there didn't seem much in there, so I took it to
    National Tyres who did a complete oil change, or at least changed what
    was there, which wasn't much.  My initial thoughts were that the garage
    that i bought it from had stitched me up and not properly serviced the
    card.
    
    However, since then the oil since then has not come on, but does seem to 
    go off 2/3 seconds after the brake light when I switch the engine on, 
    is this correct.
    
    There is no oil around the engine area, it all very dry and nothing seems 
    to be coming out the exhaust, no smoke that can be seen anyway.
    
    I took it back to the garage last Saturday as it is still under a 3
    month warranty until the end of August, they checked the mileage, added
    oil and I go back this Saturday for them to do some calculation on
    litres of oil to miles driven.
    
    However, I would be interested in comments from folks in here.  I have
    spoken to one person with a similar Fiesta, who said he had to put in
    some most months.
    
    My previous car a D reg Fiesta, was great and never needed any oil
    between services.
    
    Advice before I go back on Saturday would be appreciated.
    
    
    Avril
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
2535.1COLA1::CADAMSONcraig@adamson.org.ukFri Jul 26 1996 12:0713
Before you go there on Saturday I would ring Ford direct and speak to someone 
in the "know" i.e. a technician.

Then when the dealer tries to fob you off (as if) you have some ammunition in 
reserve in which to nail him.

Get the person name at Ford and ask them to FAX through anything that is 
relevant to your query i.e. Ford directives, press releases, re-calls even?

Hope this helps.

Craig.
2535.2These things vary but..CHEFS::LINCOLN_JFri Jul 26 1996 18:2521
    
>    However, since then the oil since then has not come on, but does seem to 
>    go off 2/3 seconds after the brake light when I switch the engine on, 
>    is this correct.

	Yes
    
>    There is no oil around the engine area, it all very dry and nothing seems 
>    to be coming out the exhaust, no smoke that can be seen anyway.

	Good
    
	
	There might not be anything wrong, but very lax of the dealer not
	to top the oil up before delivery. You need to do a few thousand
	miles to be sure. Nowadays cars can make 6000 miles/litre but
	3000 miles/litre isn't so bad on a car with a good few miles
	on it. 

	-John
2535.3Oil still in thereCHEFS::ALLANLady Golfers Have More DriveFri Jul 26 1996 19:1517
    I have since checked my mileage and have done just over 2,000 in the
    eight weeks since I have had the car.  Higher that I normally would do,
    which is about 150 a week, the 2,000 work out at 250 a week, but had 
    visitors over from the US so did lots of sightseeing.
    
    Checked the oil last night and it is still there and clean, should be
    since they topped it up last Saturday.  I still think that when I
    picked up the car it did not have its full complement of oil as it was
    only after two weeks that I took it to National and they said that it
    was very low, this was when the oil light was coming on when I braked.
    
    Anyway back to the garage tomorrow, so they can work out how much it
    has used in this week.
    
    Will keep you posted.
    
    Avril
2535.4CHEFS::GERRYTFri Aug 02 1996 16:237
    Avril,
    
    Also check what the handbook says about 'acceptable' consumption of
    oil, which is in the technical specification usually at the back of the
    handbook.
    
    Tim
2535.5COMICS::SHELLEYDon't get mad, get even.Fri Aug 02 1996 19:2213
    re .0 >After a couple of weeks I checked the oil...
    
    A useful tip. On a second hand car (or even a brand new one), its worth
    checking the oil level on delivery and again a day or two later or at
    least again during the first week for this the very reason that you
    want to quickly identify if there is an oil leak or an engine problem
    with excessive oil consumption.
    
    On an older car (mind you I wouldn't call a K reg old) a pint per
    1000 miles (or 1 litre per 2000 miles) would be acceptable IMO.
    
    Royston