According to the past few oil analysis test I've had done, I have too much silicon in my oil. I called up the testing facility and talked with them trying to find out what it could be. It sounds like it is from coolant leaking into my oil. This means a bad head gasket. It also means increased wear on all engine components that require oil. I'll be changing the oil one last time very soon to see if switching oils makes any difference. If there is no improvement, its time for a new head gasket at the least.
This does make sense. My average mileage has been slowly slipping down (versus last year) for no apparent reason. The last long trip I made was last weekend and I didn't even break 40 mpg! I took the same trip last November and averaged over 44. Time to test compression and/or do a leak down test to see if thats a problem. Any other tests you might suggest?
R.I.D.E.
07-01-2009, 02:21 PM
Mark the cold level in your coolant recovery bottle at the same temperature, to see if you are loosing any coolant.
regards
gary
I'm definitely loosing coolant. Over winter I lost heat due to low coolant level.
R.I.D.E.
07-01-2009, 04:11 PM
Then you should not wait, or you could have additional damage to any aluminum parts that are exposed to coolant in the combustion chamber.
regards
gary
The coolant loss is very gradual, so I've shortened my oil change intervals quite a bit. As long as the change intervals are kept short I should be alright. However, I will be fixing it as soon as I have a chance.
I agree. If you shorten your change intervals to, say, the 3,000 miles that many Americans do, I think you'll be OK until you can get to it.
I remember reading somewhere on the net about a specific head gasket sealer that you put replace your coolant with and it had worked. I remember the author talking about not following the instructions on the can but using just the product diluted with water for about 500 miles and then changing it out. Can't find a link, but I was looking into it when a friends Impreza was having problems. I'd have to read about it again before I recommend that kind of repair. Good luck!
brick
07-02-2009, 04:04 PM
Check your air filter and check the integrity of the up-stream intake path. Silicon is more likely dust than anything else. When I get an oil report from Blackstone they actually tell me if they found antifreeze as a separate readout.
I'll make sure to double check it. I did replace the air filter quite recently. I suppose its possible there is another leakage path, but I'd be surprised.
