High oil consumption and tapping/ticking noise

JAMOUR09

MEMBER
2006 FORD FOCUS
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
104,000 MILES

I recently bought the car listed above MK2 Petrol. A few weeks ago the oil light came on, I refilled and now every 5-7 days I have to put in approximately 4 liters of oil. There is blue smoke coming out of the exhaust which I have been told could be due to faulty piston rings. Around a week ago, whilst working, the oil light came on and I had to drive around for around an hour with it on before I was able to top it back up. I was advised to try a thicker oil, the manual states to use 5w30 but I put in 10w40 in hopes that it wouldn't burn as quick. But since I have been getting a fast ticking/tapping noise when driving about 3,000 RPMs or when driving at a constant speed above 2,000 RPMs. There's no noise at idle, or whilst I'm accelerating/decelerating. Does anyone have any advice on what's making this noise?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

You are close to losing the engine at this point. I would suggest not using that heavy of an oil. That is possibly part of the ticking noise as the valve train is not getting enough oil as it is too thick.

I would suggest changing back to the proper 5W-30 and using an additive that will help with sealing. This is the idea that they are giving you with the thicker oil but it is not working due to the ratting/tapping.

The blue smoke is going to be oil getting burned through the engine and due to the amount that you are finding I would think it is rings. This is called blow by.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/blue-smoke-from-engines-exhaust

We want to check the PCV and make sure this is not clogged. While I don't think this is going to solve the issue it will be a good indication as to this is the issue. I attached the info below on this for your review.

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Friday, February 19th, 2021 AT 6:58 PM

JAMOUR09

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The 10w30 burned away within 4 days. I have been topping it up with 5w30 since but there has been no change in the noise. Should I try 5w20 instead?

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Friday, February 19th, 2021 AT 7:11 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Unfortunately, the tapping noise if not going away is most likely metal to metal at this point.

Can you get a recording of this noise so that we can try and confirm this?

Unfortunately it sounds like you are going to need to take serious action in the near future. Clearly I would get as much life out of the motor as possible by my guess with that much oil usage that it has weeks to maybe a month or two before it is either using so much oil that it is not worth it any more or it locks up.

Let's try to get a recording of it at this point and go from there. Thanks

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Saturday, February 20th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM