Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, GT, and 166) => Topic started by: giovannidc on April 14, 2020, 01:44:37 PM

Title: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: giovannidc on April 14, 2020, 01:44:37 PM
Hi guys,
just wondering what's your oil consumption on your 147. Mine is approaching 150k Km and i did get a warning of low oil a good month ago. Turns out there was very little oil.
I did my last oil change and i also changed the filter. I am also looking at changing the sump plug as i did find some oil around it but i am unsure whether this is due to a leak or road grime.
Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: Craig_m67 on April 14, 2020, 02:13:47 PM
The twinspark (TS) uses a bit of oil (normal).
The JTS uses less (anecdotal)
They all leak if badly maintained
Make sure and use the correct spec /weight oil.. Alfa changed this (along with maintenance schedules)

Somebody will be along to explain the history add a link or two, but a quick google wide search; oil consumption Alfa TS.. should bring up tens of thousands of voices.

Get in the habit of checking the oil regularly, and be ready top it up.
Low, or no oil in a TS or JTS will kill it in short order (again, i'net).

Other Alfa engines seem to be okay (oil use like a Toyota).. my JTD never used oil, nor does my GQV
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: giovannidc on April 14, 2020, 02:27:46 PM
Thank you,
head gasket was replaced at around 105k Km so i don't think there is any leak and i can't see anything in the exhaust either.
Is there a sump plug that does a better job than others?
As far as oil i am using Penrite 10w60 10 Tenths, seems to be a good one. Previously i had Castrol in the same weight.
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: bonno on April 14, 2020, 04:30:21 PM
Further to Craig's comments above, I have attached links to previous posts on the subject of oil consumption figures for JTS and TS engines. In summary the JTS does consume oil at quite an alarming rate, as compared to the TS engine, but both need to be checked frequently (say at least every full tank of fuel).
JTS engine
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=14554.0
Twin Spark
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=7263.msg43262#msg43262
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: bazzbazz on April 14, 2020, 06:51:10 PM
Also, for reasons I wont get into here, the lower the oil gets the faster it uses it up. So just check it once a week, keep it topped up and you will notice a big difference in consumption. This is assuming of course you have not allowed the oil to get so low that  damage/excessive wear has occurred.

And yes, 10w60 Castrol or Penrite is correct.
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: Craig_m67 on April 14, 2020, 08:02:17 PM
Quote from: bonno on April 14, 2020, 04:30:21 PM
Further to Craig's comments above, I have attached links to previous posts on the subject of oil consumption figures for JTS and TS engines. In summary the JTS does consume oil at quite an alarming rate, as compared to the TS engine, but both need to be checked frequently (say at least every full tank of fuel).
JTS engine
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=14554.0
Twin Spark
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=7263.msg43262#msg43262

I just knew I had it arse about when I posting (just need to believe in myself more)
Title: Re: Oil consumption, 2004 147
Post by: bazzbazz on April 14, 2020, 10:52:50 PM
I believe in you.  :)