GR86 Oil Consumption and Pressure Issues?

[Bobocop]

Have owned my GR86 for a year now.

On taking ownership the Toyota dealership told me it had its fluids changed. Just to be cautious I took it to Fensport for an oil change and Lanoguard treatment.

Between then and my first Toyota service (6 months / 6k miles) I had to top up about 1L of oil (bought car at about 4k miles). I gave it the benefit of the doubt that it could be a new engine just burning off some oil. I have not noticed any blue smoke coming from the exhaust.

Earlier this year I took it to C-Tec for a new exhaust and Ravenol fluids. As soon as it was on the lift they said they could see oil leaking from the top or sides.

Took it to my local Toyota dealership and they were convinced that anything resembling oil was underseal and to monitor usage. I spoke with Fensport to enquire how far up they go and they confirmed they go quite high up when Lanoguarding.

Checked my oil about 350 miles later and unless I'm misreading, it's consumed about 0.5L in that time. I drive the car for a bit then leave it parked for 15 minutes before checking. I took the oil filler cap off with the engine idling and it was blowing quite aggressively. Okay, surely a bad PCV valve.

I contacted my local dealership to enquire about getting a PCV valve and hose. They were not sure what parts I was referring to exactly and told me I'd receive a call-back, which I did not. In that time I ordered a couple of valves online.

Went to fit one last night after driving only in the dry since my last oil check and the engine bay is covered in specks and patches of something dark. Oil vapor/mist? Not wet but rubs off as a fine black grit/dirt. I also noticed a faint whistle which is new.

Tried changing the valve hoping that was the culprit. No joy; still whistling and oil filler cap still pushing positive pressure.

I have booked my car in with Toyota for the 22nd and will give them a fresh PCV valve and plan to leave it with them for as long as needed.

I have to say, this has got me quite stressed. I owned a GT86 for 5 years and it never consumed oil and never had engine troubles. My GR86 is just over two years old with 12000 miles on the clock.

I keep the revs below 3k rpm when cold and let everything warm up for 20 minutes before pushing past 3.5k rpm. I never let the engine lug, I only use 99ron, when pushing I never let the oil go beyond 110 degrees and I check the dipstick religiously so I'd like to think that nothing has been induced by my driving habits. Using 0w20 oil.

Any advice or feedback would be appreciated but I have a horrible, horrible feeling this may be the start of a great deal of bother in resolving. As such I'll also be updating this thread with my progress to document it for posterity.

 

[craig_16]

I've never had to top up the oil between services. I did 5k miles in each of the first 2 years of ownership, didn't see any oil consumption whatsoever and I'm less cautious than you - I certainly don't keep it below 3.5k rpm for anything like 20 minutes. I can't help but wonder how your car was treated for the first 4,000 miles of its life.

 

[Bobocop]

I've never had to top up the oil between services. I did 5k miles in each of the first 2 years of ownership, didn't see any oil consumption whatsoever and I'm less cautious than you - I certainly don't keep it below 3.5k rpm for anything like 20 minutes. I can't help but wonder how your car was treated for the first 4,000 miles of its life.

That is my concern too. I had to clean some coffee stains out of the cupholder and the gearknob was terribly scuffed presumably from someone wearing rings.

I have worries about it being ragged during break-in and damaged cylinders and piston rings. Would abuse from a previous owner be covered under warranty?

 

[craig_16]

I expect it would depend on what shows up when Toyota scan it, and where you bought it from. If it was Toyota approved used I would think they’d have to honour the warranty as long as you’ve not done anything abusive since you took ownership. If it was from an independent dealership I expect they’d want a clean record all the way back to when it was new.

 

[Bobocop]

I expect it would depend on what shows up when Toyota scan it, and where you bought it from. If it was Toyota approved used I would think they’d have to honour the warranty as long as you’ve not done anything abusive since you took ownership. If it was from an independent dealership I expect they’d want a clean record all the way back to when it was new.

Fortunately from a Lexus/Toyota dealership - Toyota approved used.

 

[midlife_sportscar]

Went to fit one last night after driving only in the dry since my last oil check and the engine bay is covered in specks and patches of something dark. Oil vapor/mist? Not wet but rubs off as a fine black grit/dirt. I also noticed a faint whistle which is new.

Can't be oil vapour if it is dry & gritty, it would still be wet unless it was somewhere hot enough to burn/carbonise.
Could it be an exhaust leak, as that might also account for the whistle?

 

[leosayer]

In my experience there's no point telling a main dealer what part to replace to fix a problem you've diagnosed yourself.

Just tell them about the problem (oil usage and misting) and let them do the diagnosis themselves.

 

[Bobocop]

In my experience there's no point telling a main dealer what part to replace to fix a problem you've diagnosed yourself.

Just tell them about the problem (oil usage and misting) and let them do the diagnosis themselves.

I'm not having a great deal of faith. Last time I saw them they said "these engines do tend to burn oil" and couldn't see an issue.