Hi all,

I’m looking to see whether anyone else has experienced something similar with a 2018 Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi (around 66,500 miles).

Last summer, we kept getting the wrench icon and "See manual" message, often after we had just filled up. On a couple of occasions it even went into limp mode. After looking this up, and discovering a whole range of issues can cause it, we checked the oil and discovered it was very low. 

We topped it up and the car immediately felt much better. But over the last 6 months, it's been using a noticeable amount of oil and often feels rough. It's hard to say how much for certain, but roughly 1 litre every 550-600 miles. 

I took it to a garage and they found nothing obviously wrong with it (the turbo appeared okay, no visible leaks, no blue smoke etc.) but noted the engine was "breathing heavy". They thought the engine seemed worn and were surprised about its age / mileage. They agreed that the issue last summer could have caused damage and recommended getting rid of the car rather than sinking money into it. 

I was a bit shocked about this and annoyed that we might have caused it ourself by not monitoring the oil closely enough. 

So my questions for anyone with similar cars:

• Have you seen this level of oil consumption on the 2.0 TDCi?

• Did it stabilise or get worse over time?

• Were any specific causes identified (rings, bores, PCV, etc.)?

• Should I get a second opinion? 

• Am I kidding myself in thinking it's repairable?

 

The plan for now is to keep it topped up and reassess at the service + MOT in March, but I’d welcome any real-world experiences.

 

Thanks.

I would be upset with that oil consumption but if it were in warranty, I expect you'd be told "within acceptable limits" (am I wrong?)

I don't know (and you don't mention exactly) why you got the warning (but no exact code) "just after fill up" or why it went into limp mode (codes then would have been helpful)

What is happening with that now?

Oil has to be coming or going from somewhere, one of the places you mention if it's not a leak?

I'd be looking at Forscan codes, live data, checking for leaks, compression test, relative via Amp clamp or (a MUCH bigger job) actual, via pressure gauge.

If anything is found then it can be tackled as appropriate, if too expensive then it may have to go unless you can come to terms with regular top ups

18 hours ago, Shearers said:

I would be upset with that oil consumption but if it were in warranty, I expect you'd be told "within acceptable limits" (am I wrong?)

I don't know (and you don't mention exactly) why you got the warning (but no exact code) "just after fill up" or why it went into limp mode (codes then would have been helpful)

What is happening with that now?

Oil has to be coming or going from somewhere, one of the places you mention if it's not a leak?

I'd be looking at Forscan codes, live data, checking for leaks, compression test, relative via Amp clamp or (a MUCH bigger job) actual, via pressure gauge.

If anything is found then it can be tackled as appropriate, if too expensive then it may have to go unless you can come to terms with regular top ups

Thanks @Shearers From what I've read 1 litre every 1000 miles is at the top end of acceptable limits. 🤷‍♂️

It's been suggested to me that the reason for the wrench warning occurring just after fill up is to do with the weight of the added fuel tilting a small amount of oil away from the sensor? Sounds unlikely to me, but I've got no better solution!

As for the lack of codes, I found this infuriating. A wrench icon and "See manual" gives you absolutely nothing to go on.  

Thankfully, since we started monitoring the oil, we haven't had those warnings again. 

Yes, I'd like to find a garage that can do some proper diagnostics on it. I think the one I went to recently was just going on vibes!

 I did have another issue that preceded all of this: there's a faint whistle whenever I accelerate. Almost like a faint siren. One garage speculated that it could be a turbo hose or something, but no one has found anything obviously wrong. Could this be related to the other issue? 

Hang on, you can, with Forscan, do your own comprehensive code read, live data, etc,etc! (Plenty of info on here, or ask)

The weight of fuel reason seems specious to me as a very marginal possible cause, (vibes and speculation is even worse!!!) but if the level is already very low, as you say, who knows.
Is there an actual "Put some oil in" warning and sensor for it (damn this new fangled stuff!)

I'd definitely look into finding the actual codes behind the dash alert (don't waste your money on a cheap OBD reader.)
If there is a slight siren sound then it IS likely a turbo boost hose leak somewhere which could be the cause of a code being raised (underboost?)
Either a close inspection with the undertray off looking for a leak whilst boost is on OR a smoke test (proper diagnosis not guessing at your expense) may help?