Subaru Follow-Up: Oil Question

[titelines]

I posted a while back about an issue with our 2007 Outback. We got the problem fixed up, but the folks told me that the lower unit (pistons etc.) of the DOC engine is burning lots of oil and should be replaced, to the tune of about $4000. What? The car just turned 100,000 miles...seems a bit weird. I asked what the alternative is and they said to just keep an eye on the oil and add when needed. It's not belching blue smoke or anything obvious...just going through the oil at a high rate.

Two Questions:

- Is this a common problem with these cars? They tried to tell me that it is, but we know tons of people that have driven these Outbacks for years and have never heard of any problems.

- Any recommendations on what oil to use when I add it? 5W30 is recommended by the manual, but any particular brand or type I should consider? I have heard that synthetic oil may help slow the rate of oil burn...any truth to that?

Thanks for any help!

[Jeremy airjer W]

How many miles do you go in between services?

First question - Yes. I have seen several newer subarus with oil consumption issues. I have had one that ran out of oil and had a moderate engine knock. Several with check engine lights on for cam actuator codes. IMO, the problem started when Subaru decided to jump on the extended service interval. The customer that ruined her engine couldn't believe that she ran out of oil when she still had a couple thousand miles to go until her next service. When you go 10k on an oil change you need to check it a couple of times in between!

We have been selling "high mileage" oil at the shop with surprising results. Many vehicles show improvement in oil consumption when this type of oil has been used for a few services. I have been using it in my Saturn which used to burn up a quart every 800 miles or so. The last oil change I only needed to add 2 quarts so it reduced my consumption by almost half.

[titelines]

Thanks for the info Jeremy!

We don't push the services at all, doing routine oil changes every 3,000 miles...or at least very close to that. I know you can push that nowadays, but I figure it's cheap insurance against potential problems.

I'll grab some of the high mileage oil and see if it helps.

Thanks again!