Ive also had them do some suspension, an axle, and a bunch of AC related issues.
I’ve done the serpentine belts/tensioners, oil change, expansion tank, all engine mounts, and nearly every coolant hose (PITA but rewarding, left a couple really bad ones for the shop to do. lol)
It has never leaked or burned any oil during my ownership. Like less than half a quart lost in total for the change interval. First oil change I did in March at 5k miles (91k) and the analysis results from Blackstone are excellent. Fantastic wear metals etc. This was with Mobil One 5w30
I drove the car cross-country in June and put another interval on it, so I changed the oil at 5k (96.2k to be exact) this time using Liqui Moly Special Tec B FE just to try it out. Runs great. No concerns. I’ve been commuting with the car and the level has been quite consistent, right at about the 3rd mark on the dipstick (1/4 quart low from full, but well within the acceptable range). I was trying to get it just right when I filled it and decided it was good enough lol.
I took a road trip last weekend, and the oil level was also very consistent, until Sunday when I was driving back. Checked in the morning and it was where I expected, about the 3rd mark. Checked in the evening at it was much lower. Checked the next morning to confirm, and yes, it is just below the first hash mark (3/4 quart low from full).
I added some oil to get it back to around the 3rd mark, and it’s been steadily decreasing since. I can’t see any obvious leaks, but it’s definitely losing oil pretty quick for the 50 miles a day I’m driving it.
PCV has never been replaced, which has been on my list to do next spring (I have a winter beater). It hasn’t failed as far as I can tell, pulling the oil cap while the engine is running has a super reasonable amount of suction sucking it back on. Dipstick comes out easily, but there is a clear hiss and some vacuum.
Checked the cam seals (since they were dry ~12k miles ago during t belt service) and pics are attached – they’re not dry, but they’re definitely not dripping either. And the oil looks old. Seems like probably not the culprit. As an aside – the timing belt looks sort of scuffed for being 1 year old. Is this normal? Not cracked or torn, but seems sort of… bumpy? Maybe not.
There was a residue build up under the bell housing earlier this month when I changed the oil, but no oil at all was lost on the last interval. I think thay was probably some combination of the failing engine mount (that I replaced) and road water / dirt.
Any thoughts on where the oil is going?? No smoking, exhaust is clear and does not smell like oil, turbo looks clean from a cursory glance, serpentine belts are clean. I’m a bit perplexed on this one. Thanks!