Oil usage
 

Hello

I am thinking of buying a 1991 626 with about 140K miles on it (4cyl/5spd manual). Ad says it uses about 1/2 quart of oil per fillup. Is this excessive? I don't think it leaks, seller says no fluid leaks. They have all service records and have owned it since new. It sounds like it has been well kept. Haven't gone to see it yet. Want to be armed with some information before I acutally consider it seriously.

We had a 1988 626 (4 cyl/5 spd) a few years back which was about the best car I have ever had. I bought it with 150K on it and it was going strong at 220K (with only routine maintenance stuff required) when someone hit and ran it when parked on a street--totalled it. Man, I loved that car and hoped it would go to 300K so we could rub it in the face of a few Honda people. I don't think it used that much oil though.

What would you be looking at possibly in repairs if it acutally does burn that much oil?

Thanks

Annie

RE: Oil usage
 

I would think that a half quart of oil per fillup is excessive with no leaks. Maybe a half to one quart per oil change is acceptable for a used car like this. I would check to see if there is visible smoke at the tailpipe. If it is burning this much oil, the most likely places it would come from is valve guide seals or piston rings being worn. If you live in an emissions check state I would be careful.